I bought a box of Leverevolution 325 grainers today for a trial. I will post the results of the test, hopefully I can shoot this weekend. Chronograph results and groups out of an 1895 GS in scout configuration.
I made a trip to the range today to do the test. Temp in the low 80's, no humidity to speak of, variable winds gusting up to 15 MPH or so. Chrono 12 feet in front of muzzle. Shot a string of 10 for sighting including a 50 yard group of 3, then shot group of 3 at 100.
More nitty-gritty: Hornady's claimed ballistics: 2060 fps, I am sure 20-22 inch barrel. Gun used for test as advertised. Marlin 1895GS in 45-70, 18 1/2 inch barrel, non-ported. Sighting system: BSA 2x Pistol scope in scout configuration. Sandbags and bench.
Initial impressions: The ballistic tip is not as pliable as I was expecting, I was expecting a superball. Although you could easily compress the tip on the bench. Otherwise nice shiny new cartridge, strange looking without a flat tip.
The photo shows the results. The 50 yard group is slightly left as the shot was at an acute angle to the left due to range constraints. The 100 yard group actually should be a 4 shot group because I shot a sighter on an old target on the board and mounted this target on the same X. When I removed this target, all four holes were in the same spot.
Overall impressions. My 1895 is a good shooter, I knew that prior to the test. I certainly had better results with the Leverevolution than my home rolled loads as the target shows (this is roughly 0.9 inch group). I think the new Marlin XLR will be awesome with this round. Surely the .450 gets some hotter performance. I did not have the opportunity to shoot at 150 or 200 yards as conditions did not permit. The advertised drop at 200 is -4.1 inches sighted 3 inches high at 100. Overall very respectable performance in the platform tested and would only improve with different optics, longer barrel and probably better shooter.
The shop that I bought these at were out of the 35 rem but that would be another interesting test. I think the out the door price was $24.60 for the 45-70. Am I going to change from home rolled to Leverevolution? Probably not. I have all components to load so money savings would be enormous. Would I recommend them to others, absolutely.
I have gotten one ragged hole groups at 100yds with my Marlin 1895SS (older 22" barrel ballard rifling) using the new Hornady ammo. I am very pleased with the accuracy obviously.
Always remember that you are unique, just like everyone else.
Good information, I was wondering abut the mag follower also and the lifter. I am looking at getting a 45-70 XLR. Just fine looking rifles.
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I did not think to check follower function even though I remember reading about it. I think the official line was that only the bullet in contact with the follower was affected and only on some rifles. Also in this months Rifleshooter Mag. Hornady said the demand is too high right now for loaded bullets to release any to the handloaders, but probably will in 2007. Since the XLR was designed for the Leverevolution (or vice versa) I would not imagine a follower problem.
I am new to the 45-70. I just bought a used Marlin 1895ss. Do I need to change the magazine follower to safely shoot Leverrevolution ammo? Also, can I date my gun with the seriel number? Thanks so much for your help.
There is no safety issue shooting with the existing follower unless you are hunting things that will eat you, and it should be the last round only.
The fine print says: "In the past, lever guns were engineered to function ammunition loaded with blunt profile bullets. LEVERevolution's revolutionary new bullet design may require a newer magazine follower to provide best possible functioning of the last round out of the magazine. These magazine followers may be purchased from the manufacturer of your firearm."
