10 December 2007, 16:59
greghudmarlin 1895xlr
well, the gun laws in oz are a little tuff to deal with, took nearly 5 weeks to get permision to pick up my new toy.

but i have it now

with its now little brother, in 30.30
mounted the leupold vx11 2x7 on low mounts and set off to the range for sighting in and load testing.
i loaded up some 300g and 405g remington bullets with ar2208/ varget as it was all i had. it shot very well but it left the barrel full of un burnt powder, resulting in dented cases, as i ejected the 1st case it deposited unburnt powder in the bbl. the 2nd case was getting dented as it expanded apon firing.
405g rem pills 44g ar2208/ varget
bottom hole was a fouler!

i swiched to the ar2207/ imr4198? powder and it fouled alot less. and shot very well.
405 g rem
300g localy made bullet TBF
rem 300g
having never owning a stainless gun before i had only herd of the nice powder marks that are left as the bullet exits the bbl. i had to take a photo.
so it is a shooter no doubt and i found it was not fussy at all. it did not spead out too bad as i worked up thru the powder load. i never got near a hot load, no pressure signs at all and i found the kick was starting to get a little unforgiving so i dont think i need to see how hot it will go.
the photo below is the 3 bullets i have tested so far.
rear from the left, remington 405g rem 300g hp, the bullet factory 300g hp.
front row 30 cal 150g flat point and 130g hp from the bullet factory
just need to organise an on game test.
greg
13 December 2007, 10:42
Bill/OregonGreg: Just bought one myself and have a sack of mixed .45-70 handloads to shoot up. You're shooting some nice groups. What distance?
13 December 2007, 13:57
greghudall shot at 100mtrs
what loads are you shooting?
greg
13 December 2007, 19:44
Bill/OregonGreg: Those are very fine groups for 100 meters. I don't think Marlin lever gunds get enough credit for their accuracy potential.
My literal mixed bag of loads has everything from plinkers (17 grains Unique and 325-grain Lee cast) to full BP loads for the Trapdoor and some 300-grain jacketed close to 2000 fps. I'll go back into my load book to see what worked in the last 1895 I had.
13 December 2007, 22:18
dean119Greg,
looks great, what exactly are those mounts?
Thanks
13 December 2007, 22:30
Tyler KempWhere can I get the bullet on the far right? It looks explosive!
14 December 2007, 14:53
greghuddean, mounts are leupold std mounts with low rings on the 45.70. wever rail and rings on the 30.30.
tyler, the one on the right is form a local manufacter called "the bulletfactory" based in sydney. with our gun laws trying to get some would be like flossing your teath thru your anus, sorry.
i found the 30.30 accurate but a little fussy with its powder charge, half a grain eather way would open the groups up quite alot, but the 45/70 will group well right thru the range of charges. only complaint is the 30 clicks adjustment between 300g and 405g pills.

greg
23 December 2007, 19:58
nordrsetaNicely done. Of course now you have no excuses... Good hunting!
PS It's good to know the right-hand twist works in the southern hemisphere.
