New to the 45-70 and need some guidance

[AJ Steam]

Just picked up a Marlin 1895 45-70. I’m new to lever guns and the 45-70. Where do I start for reloading straight walled. I was thinking of going with a 350gr interlock but I don’t know. Any help would be amazing.

[JeffreyDeGraff]

What are you planning to use it for? For just plinking, 405gr cast bullet is great and relatively cheap. For hunting, the 300gr, 350gr, or 400gr jacketed bullets are all good. You can use the data from the trapdoor or marlin ( low or medium pressure) sections from the load manuals. IMR4198 has been an excellent powder for me with jacketed bullets, but there are many good choices.


JTD

[AJ Steam]

Strictly hunting. Needed a brush gun and I seen the Marlin 1895 Dark series and fell in love. Mainly for black bear.

[JeffreyDeGraff]

The 350gr interlock is a solid choice for a hunting bullet.


JTD

[AJ Steam]

Can I use any .458 projectile in a 45/70? Are there handgun specific .458?

[JeffreyDeGraff]

Can I use any .458 projectile in a 45/70? Are there handgun specific .458?

Any .458” round or flat nose bullet will work. Pistol bullets are .452”.


JTD

[SAWMAN]

For black bear,I would choose a 405gr WFNGC (hardcast) from Cast Performance.
I have shot thru both shields of a 300lb hog with these bullets. Killed big Maine moose with them also. This,coming out of a 16.5" Marlin 1895.
There are no handgun specific .458" bullets. --- SAWMAN

[bob3663]

For black bear,I would choose a 405gr WFNGC (hardcast) from Cast Performance.
I have shot thru both shields of a 300lb hog with these bullets. Killed big Maine moose with them also. This,coming out of a 16.5" Marlin 1895.
There are no handgun specific .458" bullets. --- SAWMAN

This. 100X I use RL7 for my loads. 1600fps of hell on earth. Black bear down.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[AJ Steam]

Will the 405gr SNS cast RNFP that Wes carries work? And did you mean WLNGC from Cast Performance?

[JeffreyDeGraff]

The SNS is not hard cast. Sawman is referring to the Wide Flat Nose Gas Check. The Wide Long Nose Gas Check is sometimes too long to cycle in a lever action.


JTD