Hi Everyone,
I'm playing with am Marlin 1895 - crossbolt safety and microgroove rifling. I've had the barrel shortened to 16 1/2", added a Ramline plastic stock, Williams receiver sight, Oakley Red Dot and Leupold Scout scope (not all at the same time. I plan to add "glue on" cheepiece to bring the comb up and to finish it using GunKote.

I have it sighted in at 130 yards with the scope and 105 yards with the "red dot" and a using it for chasing pigs in close cover and' more importantly, sambar deer which live in thick bush and are Australian's premeir game animal (800lbs plus of deer).

I am currently shooting 400gn Speer Flat Point/50gn H4198/Win LR and getting 1650fps.

My questions are-

What other modifications would you make.

Is an "after market" trigger worthwhile (my rifle shoots MOA).

Can you suggest more powerful loads using a 400gn bullet (either Speer Flat Point or Woodleigh) and Hogdons powders (which are made in Australia and therefore are reliably available.

Thanks for your input.

Regards,

mike

Mike,
In a 22" barrel, I used to use 55gr AR2208 and a hard-cast 420gr TenRing projectile. Chronied at 1785fps from my barrel and kicked like a proverbial mule. I'd add a Decelerator pad before playing with the heavy loads.
Cheers...
Con

There is an aftermarket trigger (wild west, I think), made by a company in Alaska. I have limited personal experience with it but I was very impressed with the improvement.

A few weeks ago my friends took two Black Bears with a 45-70. The 425gr bullet jogging along at a little over 1500 fps completely penetrated the larger bear traveling NW to SE leaving a thumb+ sized hole. The Bear expired within seconds.

The bullet was last seen headed eastbound.

Aussie Mike,

where did you buy the after market stock and how hard was it to fit ??

It sounds like you have got a good setup, just one thing my friend and I had Trasco Red dots on our 45/70's the recoil killed his in around 500 shots, I sold mine while still working. We both Purchased Aimpoint Comp ML3's much better site much tougher etc. but much more $$ but if your after trophy game then you don't want a site failing on you, not saying that red dot will just I have never heard of Oakly red dots (pls don't take offence). I actually put a fixed 2.5x compact leupold on my 45/70 (aimpoint has gone on a pump .308) and I love that set up, tough and all the magnification I need on a 45/70.

The Wild West Guns trigger kit vastly improved the pull on my Guide Gun. Next time I have "Mjolnir" apart I may install their improved ejector and aluminum magazine follower. Details here http://www.wildwestguns.com/Accessories/accessories.html