i have a couple of questions. I want to reload .45-70 rounds for my Marlin 1895 SS. My choice of bullet will be in the 300 gr. weight range. The gun is used in low light conditions and I want to install a Williams Fire Sight on the gun and perhaps a receiver sight. The bead that is on the front is very hard to locate in low light conditions. I usually shoot .45-70 Govt. rounds in the rifle. Hope someone out there will be able to offer some help with this. Thanks very much.

I'm not sure what you want to know exactly, but I put XS sights on my 1895GS. This is an aperture rear with their post front that has a white line. This arrangement is far superior to what is installed at the factory. The front sight is very easy to see in low light and I have used it to bag a couple of whitetails under these circumstances.

Do you want to load cast or jacketed bullets? I NEVER bother with 300 gr. bullets or jacketed bullets of any kind. My big game loads start at 405 grs. and go up to 460 grs., though I have loaded 500+ gr. bullets for a friend. Nowadays I pretty much use only molds from Lee and RCBS which cast 405 and 425 gr. bullets. The 460 gr. LBT bullets that I bought from the Bargain Cave at Cabela's (back when they actually sold such bullets) are reserved for special purposes.

On the lighter side, I also cast a .457" round ball which will shoot one hole groups at 25 yards with 10 or so grs. of 231. Cast revolver bullets meant for the .45 Colt also shoot extremely well, in both .452" and .454" diameters and weights from 200 to 255 grs.

The 1895 is incredibly versatile. It can handle anything from an enraged chipmunk to a charging elephant. Just the other day I was looking at some of the targets I have shot over the years with it and I'm always amazed by the tiny groups it shoots with practically every bullet that will fit into the case. Most of these use bullets that I have cast myself without expensive gas checks. You will be amazed once you start handloading for your rifle.

Dave Sinko

The Williams WRGS receiver and Firesight front sight combo is a very good solution. That's what I run on my Guide Gun. Be aware that the Marlin front sight hood will likely no longer work - if that matters to you. The WRGS peep is plenty strong, but I wish someone made partridge wings for the front sight. The original Williams Firesight was a rather brittle MIM part that would break - not bend, if you dropped the rifle.

I'm not a fan of 300gr fodder - I prefer 400'ish grain bullets, but that's just a preference.

You should check out the web site for Beartooth Bullets. They make a number of different bullets specifically for the 45-70 load. For my 1895 I really like the 525 grain piledriver on top of about 40 grains of IMR 4198. That is a load that will really get your attention.

Hi,

I used to load a 300grs Sierra HP bullet with 50 grs Reloader 7. Accuracy from my Browning 1886 rifle and 1885 single shot was very good. Switched to 53.5 grs of VV N130 only because of better availability of the powder brand here in Germany.

regards
Ulrich

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I went up and got the notebook to relay 2 very good, very STOUT loads! First these are both from the 46th edition of lymans loading handbook(and not in the 49th). My Favorite; 405GR cast wheele weights, CCI large rifle standard primer, 47.0gr IMR3031 roll crimp then taper crimp. Test rifle 1886 Browning 26" barrel 1618 fps 10' extrema spread. Out of Marlin Guide Gun 5 shots as fast as I could 3" group at 50 yards offhand- VERY HARD on shoulder! also very hard on Bears! Load #2, 400gr Speer 52 gr IMR 3031,same CCI primer same 26" Browning 1806fps, 100'e.s.(There are better, but works well) Never tried in Marlin, the cast load is all I need for problems(I keep 40 rounds at all times). There are lots of good light loads for plinking, but in times of trouble a good 45-70 and good ammo is all you'll need.These are proven loads even if 3031 is "Old School"! By the way, I have a very nice repo Sharpes 1874 and I don't let the 2 ammos any where near each other!!! The Sharps gets heavy soft bullets over Black Powder only

I have loaded 405 gr Remington bullets and 350 gr using Alaska and Swift rounds. RL-7 has proven to be the most accuate and also solid performance wise. Velocity ranges 1850 to 1970 fps and yes it is a shoulder rocker. My 1972 Model 1895 is scoped with a Leupold 1.5 x 5. And has turned three shot groups with the 405's at 100yds at 1 inch. Great woods gun for elk here in Oregon. Took a 6x6 337 inch bull in 2004.

405 gr cast roll crimped over tablet backer wad over 777 fired by CCI Large Rifle Primer. Works for me.

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For 300 grain jhp bullets, 48.0 - 50.0 grains h-4198, fed 210 primers and win cases gets about 1800-1900 fps from guide gun with ex accuracy. Mimics factory loaded 300 grain jhps, much easier on shoulder and should be plenty for deer. Loading the 300 grain jhps beyond their designed velocity range can cause them to over expand and limit penetration. Starline cases are heavier, and may use slightly less powder for same velocity.

A pre fit decelerator recoil pad absorbs alot of recoil.

Not a Marlin, but single shot Uberti Hiwall. Much like the 405 gr. rnfp.

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A load I like consists of 54 gr of H322 under a 400 gr Speer soft point. I would back off a bit and work up to that load. Kicks like a mule in my Pro-hunter but, it is accurate and knocks whitetail sideways.

I load 300-350gr JSP/JHP in my GG. Best loads have come with IMR3031 for me. I shoot a 2x scout scope on mine, best groups have been under 2" @ 100yds, about as far as I am likely to hunt game w/ a 45-70. I am still working up a good cast bullet load, but do like this bullet.

excellent rifle...can handle most anything on four legs

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