I don't hot rod my 1895 for a couple reasons. Number one the rifle is really light. Number two I'm not ever going to shoot a Cape Buffalo with it. I have an 1886 that is heavy; I might shoot heavier loads in it, but I have not so far. I tried a few jacketed loads but have pretty much decided the rifle is meant for cast bullets. The Marlin has an old steel Lyman aperture sight on it.

Here's a couple loads that shot well enough in my 1895 - steel sights remember:

45-70 Marlin, 1895G, 350 grain Hornady, 55 grain IMR3031 1.7" group
45-70 Marlin, 1895G, 400 grain w/GC cast, 34.5 grain 5744, 2.18" group - favorite load so far.

I think that cast load should work well on bison.

Last edited by Bugger; 03/14/24.
I prefer classic.
Semper Fi
I used to run with the hare. Now I'm envious of the tortoise and I do my own stunts but rarely intentionally