What is the approximate distance these are accurate out to before the bullet really starts to drop.

Depends on a lot of variables. Need to know specifics, such as bullet, it's speed, how high the sight is above the bore, zero distance, acceptable distance from point of aim, and maybe some other things, but those are the main ones.

Accuracy, in and of itself, would depend on the bullet, some shoot well, some don't in a particular rifle. I think the term you are looking for is trajectory. A bullet can be very accurate at 800 fps, but it will drop quite a bit at 200 yards if zeroed for 50 yards.

I know it's a typo, but a 45/70 ain't gonna shoot too flat out of an 1894 (grin).

As Vic_in_Va said

Bullet weight and Velocity and BC (Which is like a beer can for most bullets) will tell the tail.

You can input the info into a ballistic program and get the real numbers.

Using a 450M my son dropped a Red Deer at 200+ yrds with one shot and open sights.

He used 400G Speer bullets at about 1900Ft/sec. out of a Marlin lever.

Your mileage will vary

Yep. I load my .45-70 for deer with a 300 grain Unicor at about 2150 to 2200 fps, primarily to emulate a .30-30's trajectory.

I have taken deer with the latter out to just past 200 yards. I wouldn't go much further because the drop really gets drastic and I haven't practiced at any ranges past 200. I'm good and comfortable with 225 or so.

Now, somebody who can get good an accurate range estimate, and has something like a tang sight, can do amazing things. and 500 grains of .458 lead will penetrate very deep even at long range/low velocity.

You know it...

and it has been doing it for about 150 years.

We use 300g Speer and Rem. Bullets for hogs and deer� But we only have taken the Red Deer�

My Son was using peep sights so it was not the open sights that came with the rifle.

I have shot my 1895 CB in 45-70 out to 150 yds, with factory barrel sights, with minimal "over-hold", maybe 4 to 6 inches. But my barrel is 26". Definitely "minute of deer". I don't shoot factory ammo but I don't load them "hot" and I use a 405 gr lead bullet.

Are you sure it's not an 1895 rather than an 1894? Didn't know Marlin made 1894s in 45-70. Makes no difference and it wouldn't be the first time I was wrong - just askin'.

Among the BPCR shooters, 405 grain slugs are rumored to be unstable past about 600 yds. The 1000 yard boys are typically into the 525+ grain slugs.

My mistake it is an 1895.

I was just tring to get an estimate on range. I don't reload just wondering with factory ammo what was the effective range before bullet really nose dives.

Some of the hotter factory loads can run fairly flat to 200 yards with a 150 yard zero.

Check these out:

http://www.doubletapammo.com/php/catalog/product_info.php?cPath=21_44&products_id=212

http://www.doubletapammo.com/php/catalog/product_info.php?cPath=21_44&products_id=163

http://www.buffalobore.com/index.php?l=product_list&c=35

OR, without going HOT, put some good irons with lots of adjustment,learn the rifle and they will shoot VERY accurately and lethally a lot farther than most guys would even want to shoot.

MontanaMarine thanks for the links. Perfect...

I wanted to use this lever gun for fun. I think it will make a fun 200 yard and less rife.

Check the Barnes site for their accuracy loads. Their 250 TSX FN will shoot at 2,550 fps with Vv N120 and it's an 1895 Marlin load, not Ruger #1. I use this load in my BPCR for primitive weapon deer season and I can regularly put bullets on a pie plate at 300 yds. I use a VX-3,3.5-10 CDS with the turret calibrated for this load. This bullet is destructive on hogs. I haven't yet shot a deer with one.

DF

Joedjr: When one gets 405 grains slugs up into the 1,800fps range, recoil will get ones attention. Factory rounds running in the 1,250 fps realm are a pleasure to shoot, but they do drop off quickly with distance.

Of course I have a need for speed, and have a 1895 version running 1,750 fps, with 55 grains of H4895. I will likely not do a 50 round target session with that load, but do pack it for dark timer elk. Good luck,

I like that approach. Going to try it.

I use one of those a lot, too.

Saves having to think (I have a hard time with that at times) when there's fur in the sights.