Very good information on here; parallels my own experience.
I bought my 1895 in 1977 from the Balboa Gun Club in the Canal Zone, Panama. I was a US Air Force Security Policeman at the time.
Should've seen the local shooters grin when I showed up with that "elephant gun."
Been reloading since 1977 too.
A few things I've learned:
1. The Guide Gun is good, but many owners I've spoken with said they wish they'd gone with the 22-inch barrel instead. In my opinion, that extra 3-1/2 inches of barrel balances better and helps tame recoil with the stouter loads.
2. Avoid older loads published for the .45-70. The late gun writer Elmer Keith used to preach the virtues of 53 grains of IMR3031 under a 405 gr. jacketed bullet. I suspect he was using balloon head brass, or the older brass had higher capacity, because this is MAXIMUM or an OVERLOAD today.
Back in the late 70s, I loaded a box of 400 gr. Speer jacketed softpoints over 53 grains of IMR3031 and happily waddled off to the range. Wow! Almost knocked my fillings loose! After a few shots I looked at the cases: flattened primers and a noticeable bulge ahead of the web, forward of the rim.
I stopped shooting those loads immediately! Later, I pulled the bullets and reduced the powder charge to 48 grains. Much easier on the shoulder and pressure warnings ceased.
3. Which leads me to another warning: Beware of loads on the internet not posted by a reputable manufacturer. I've seen wild claims and dangerous loads posted, and continue to spot them once in a while.
For information you can TRUST, visit the sites of powder or bullet manufacturers. Use their information as the Acid Test against which to measure other recommended loads.
4. There is little need to load the .45-70 to maximum, or near maximum, for game effectiveness. For pity's sake, the hoary .45-70 killed millions of big game animals with nothing but lead bullets "loafing" at 1,250 fps and less! This includes bison, grizzly bear, elk and moose.
Bullet placement is a major deciding factor in "knockdown power" that cannot be overlooked.
5. The .45-70 is extremely versatile. You can use Ox-Yoke .45-caliber Wonder Wads to create shotshells. I load mine with No. 6 shot. A few of these in your pocket can bring home grouse or rabbit without scaring bigger game nearby. Also handy for dispatching bothersome or dangerous pests around the campsite or home.
But please, don't shoot unoffending creatures. I live in the remote Utah desert and I haven't shot a snake in years, including rattlesnakes. When I encounter them, I AM the intruder in their home. They don't bother me, I don't bother them. Besides, they eat a lot of rodents that may carry disease. Snakes will also eat big bugs too, like grasshoppers, that damage and kill native plants.
I've also loaded THREE Speer .457 inch lead balls in a case, over a moderate load of Unique. It's a fun load and one that I kept in the Marlin when I lived in a nasty neighborhood in Idaho. I figured three .45-caliber balls would discourage any intruder.
Kids and adults lacking shooting experience are delighted by the 3-ball load. It's a short-range load, to be sure, but still a good defense and pest load around the home. However, balls bounce badly so be mindful of ricochets.
The old 250 gr. lead .45 Long Colt bullet, with a hollow base, can be loaded into the .45-70 over a small charge of Unique. Makes a good plinking load. These bullets are usually about .456 inch diameter but squeeze down nicely the newer .452 inch bores of modern .45s, or the older .454 to .455 inch bores of older .45s.
In a .45-70 bore, that may run from .454 to .462 (the 19th century guns had widely varying bore sizes) they may work well as a plinker.
6. The Marlin 1895 is very sensitive to overall cartridge length, as has been pointed out. I never exceed 2.55 inches. Some folks report 2.57 as maximum. The truth is, each rifle is an individual and may allow a smidgen more length. Assemble a dummy round (lacking primer and powder) and experiment if you must, but Marlin recommends 2.55 inch maximum and that's good enough for me.
7. Micro-Groove bullets will shoot lead bullets accurately. The trick is to size to .459 or .460 inch. The length of the bearing surface of the bullet also comes into play. I've found the Lyman 457193, at about 420 grs. when cast of wheelweights, nicely accurate.
Some years ago I slapped a 4-power scope on my Marlin (my eyes ain't what they once were). At 100 yards I could put 5 rounds into 2-inch groups from a benchrest on a good day, 3 to 4 inches regularly.
A younger man with good eyes could probably shrink those groups a bit.
8. Have fun with the .45-70. It's a tinker's dream. It's also a very fine game-getter, suitable for everything ranging from the size of a coyote up to polar bears.
In fact, the Marlin .45-70 is immensely popular in the Scandinavian countries for hunting moose. I've swapped emails with shooters in Norway and Sweden who tell me the demand for the Marlin .45-70 there is high. Most reload for it because cartridges can be difficult to find.
Wonder if they know about the shotshell or 3-ball load?
