just picked it up a couple days ago. It has a recoil reducer installed in the stock and peep sights.

The peeps will go, and I'll scope it eventually.

I don't expect to shoot this rifle a lot, but do intend to take it to Maine thins fall for bear. I'll probably use factory 300 gr which should be plenty for the winnie-the-pooh sized bears in Maine..

But I may eventually like to play with some cast bullets in it just for fun, so I'm looking for loads, recommendations, and shared experiences with the 1895 and or the 45-70..

Thanks!

I have several marlins in 45/70. If you shoot factory loads the recoil is minimal. The green box Remington 405 grain is very low velocity wise and has almost no recoil. If you are sitting a stand at the range is 50 yards or so, it would be very effective. It is a terrible long range choice as it has the trajectory of a thrown bowling ball.
30-31 and reloader 7 are my go to powders for loading.

If you plan on shooting bears with it avoid the Hornady Leverevolution 325 grain bullets. I used them on a 19+ inch black bear and while they did kill him all that was left were fragments in the chest cavity. Needless to say I was not impressed. If your going to stick with 300 grain bullets I would suggest the Barnes TSX bullets. They're factory loads hold together, expand and like other 300 grain loads don't have a lot of recoil. Otherwise step up to something like the 430 grain hardcast and have some real fun.

Cougar is correct! I call those gummie grenades. I have had the fail to penetrate in both the 45/70 and the 308 marlin express!

Barnes makes an XFN flatbose you can use in your lever gun without issues.

I only use 300s in my 1885 Browning and factory ones at that .The typical ones are far too fragile at close range [ 2" entrance ,1" exit on deer !! ] So I went 300 premium and settled on Barnes all copper factory loaded , at 1850 fps.They were good for Catskill Mtn deer up to 350 lb red deer cull animals. Recoil of course is mild.

Hodgdon has reduced loads using H4895 on their

website...OR....Trailboss is a fun cast boolit

load for any lever gun...

I have shot 405 grain bullets in a Winchester 1886 EL and in my 45-90 and with velocities above 2000 fps I did notice the recoil.
Such loads should not be needed for the bears you plan to hunt.