|
Joined: Nov 2018
Posts: 1,490
Campfire Regular
|
OP
Campfire Regular
Joined: Nov 2018
Posts: 1,490 |
Picked up a new 1895 45/70, scoped it, handloaded some ammo and took it to the range. Accuracy is good with: 350 gr RNSP Hornady 56.5 gr IMR 3031 CCI 200's Win brass This is the starting powder charge for lever action rifles according to Hodgdon, and though I haven't sent any over a chronograph, Hodgdon claims about 2,000 fps. Any experience or reservations on using the 350 gr RNSP Hornady on game such as black bear or elk? Thanks, Guy
|
|
|
|
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 2,428
Campfire Regular
|
Campfire Regular
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 2,428 |
I doubt you'll have any problems with the 350 grain hornady in that 45/70 a couple guys Ive hunted with in the past have used that bullet in a 45/70 with good results BUT I think that listed powder charge is a bit too stiff or high pressure for best results, I think your looking at data for the ruger #1 and similar stronger actions, most of the guys I've hunted with max out the imr 3031 powder charge at about 52 grains in a marlin
|
|
|
|
Joined: Nov 2018
Posts: 1,490
Campfire Regular
|
OP
Campfire Regular
Joined: Nov 2018
Posts: 1,490 |
I doubt you'll have any problems with the 350 grain hornady in that 45/70 a couple guys Ive hunted with in the past have used that bullet in a 45/70 with good results BUT I think that listed powder charge is a bit too stiff or high pressure for best results, I think your looking at data for the ruger #1 and similar stronger actions, most of the guys I've hunted with max out the imr 3031 powder charge at about 52 grains in a marlin Thanks. Nope - that's the starting load for lever action rifles with the 350 gr bullet according to Hodgdon. Checked it a few times, just to be sure, including moments after reading your cautionary note. I need to get a chronograph out and see what it's really doing, but Hodgdon predicts about 2,000 fps for the combo. Am just returning to the 45/70 after a ten year layoff. It's fun to mess around with a big bore Marlin again. I hadn't used this particular bullet in the past, but thought I remembered reading/hearing good things about it. Regards, Guy
|
|
|
|
Joined: Nov 2018
Posts: 1,490
Campfire Regular
|
OP
Campfire Regular
Joined: Nov 2018
Posts: 1,490 |
Ya, I used to hunt with that 405 gr Remington bullet. That was a pretty decent 45/70 bullet I thought! Hopefully I'll get on a bear with this rifle. Season is coming up in about six weeks! Guy
|
|
|
|
Joined: Mar 2018
Posts: 3,445
Campfire Tracker
|
Campfire Tracker
Joined: Mar 2018
Posts: 3,445 |
You may get great results using a 405-420gr GC cast sized .459 at 1500-1600fps for bear.
Lehigh Defense 380gr WFN solid .458 at 1600-1700fps.
Lehigh Defense Extreme Penetrator 305gr solid at .458 1800fps.
Don't ask me about my military service or heroic acts...most of it is untrue.
Pronoun: Yes, SIR !
|
|
|
|
Joined: Nov 2018
Posts: 1,490
Campfire Regular
|
OP
Campfire Regular
Joined: Nov 2018
Posts: 1,490 |
I doubt you'll have any problems with the 350 grain hornady in that 45/70 a couple guys Ive hunted with in the past have used that bullet in a 45/70 with good results BUT I think that listed powder charge is a bit too stiff or high pressure for best results, I think your looking at data for the ruger #1 and similar stronger actions, most of the guys I've hunted with max out the imr 3031 powder charge at about 52 grains in a marlin Interesting! We were using different sources, with rather conflicting load guidance! Hodgdon - normally my first source of info - shows a range from 56.5 - 60.5 IMR 3031, for the 350 Hornady RNSP, for lever action rifles Hornady - on the other hand - shows a range from 45.2 - 56.1 IMR 3031, same bullet, for the 1895 Marlin... Well I'll be darned. So, I'm a bit over Hornady's max, and right at Hodgdon's starting load for lever action rifles! Interesting. Guy
|
|
|
|
Joined: Nov 2018
Posts: 1,490
Campfire Regular
|
OP
Campfire Regular
Joined: Nov 2018
Posts: 1,490 |
You may get great results using a 405-420gr GC cast sized .459 at 1500-1600fps for bear.
Lehigh Defense 380gr WFN solid .458 at 1600-1700fps.
Lehigh Defense Extreme Penetrator 305gr solid at .458 1800fps.
Yes - in the past I have loaded cast 425 gr "Piledriver Jr" bullets from Beartooth - I figured they would be a terrific bullet for bear, elk, moose. And loaded less expensive 405 gr cast bullets for plinking, target practice, at more modest velocity. I think there's a lot to be said for a big heavy hardcast bullet with a flat meplat… Never tried the Lehigh bullets. Perhaps someday I shall! The 45/70 is entertaining for sure. I just picked up a package of brand new Winchester cases, and another box of the 350 gr RNSP Hornady bullets. I'm going to concentrate on that load for now. Bear season is only six weeks away! Then I'll lay in some supplies for a more mild "plinking" load. It's fun to have a big bore Marlin again. I've missed it! Regards, Guy
|
|
|
|
Joined: Mar 2015
Posts: 30
Campfire Greenhorn
|
Campfire Greenhorn
Joined: Mar 2015
Posts: 30 |
I am curious,is no one worried about using RN bullets in a lever action? there are FP 350 Hornadys available,would that not be a safer choice?
|
|
|
|
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 2,428
Campfire Regular
|
Campfire Regular
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 2,428 |
while it sure may seem like a valid concern, I've never heard of that being an issue and, I've read a few places hornady did testing and found that was not an issue
|
|
|
|
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 1,146
Campfire Regular
|
Campfire Regular
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 1,146 |
When I was playing with the 45-70, I ran the Hornady 350RN a LOT, and liked the 3031 load of 56 grains. This was in a Marlin 1895. Another thing I don't see mentioned when discussing this bullet, is that it was originally produced as a light bullet for the 458 Win Mag. It's a good bullet, and should stand up to anything you might ask of it in the 45-70.
|
|
|
|
Joined: Nov 2018
Posts: 1,490
Campfire Regular
|
OP
Campfire Regular
Joined: Nov 2018
Posts: 1,490 |
When I was playing with the 45-70, I ran the Hornady 350RN a LOT, and liked the 3031 load of 56 grains. This was in a Marlin 1895. Another thing I don't see mentioned when discussing this bullet, is that it was originally produced as a light bullet for the 458 Win Mag. It's a good bullet, and should stand up to anything you might ask of it in the 45-70. I recall reading that long ago. Thanks!
|
|
|
|
Joined: Nov 2018
Posts: 1,490
Campfire Regular
|
OP
Campfire Regular
Joined: Nov 2018
Posts: 1,490 |
I am curious,is no one worried about using RN bullets in a lever action? there are FP 350 Hornadys available,would that not be a safer choice? It's listed in Hornady's manual as appropriate for the Marlin 1895, and there are other lever action loads utilizing round-nose bullets, so no, I'm not worried. Regards, Guy
|
|
|
|
Joined: Apr 2011
Posts: 15,341 Likes: 6
Campfire Ranger
|
Campfire Ranger
Joined: Apr 2011
Posts: 15,341 Likes: 6 |
Congrats on getting another 1895 Guy! I was wondering how long it would take you to come back around to the original "Gov'T" round! I have quite a few boxes of those Hornady 350's myself and need to get some ammo loaded up for mine. Been awhile since I have limbered it up!
Semper Fi
|
|
|
|
Joined: Jun 2015
Posts: 987
Campfire Regular
|
Campfire Regular
Joined: Jun 2015
Posts: 987 |
I've loaded the 350's for my 1895 GBL; they did ok but not close to the accuracy of the factory LeverEvolution ammo. At some point, I plan to load the 325 grain bullets close to factory specs to see if I can get the same accuracy.
The specs cited in the posts above are a pretty stout load and were not a lot of fun for me to shoot. The factory ammo is more user friendly.
I couldn't get a photo to post here but did post a photo in the Image Gallery of the four shot group I fired before last hunting season. I couldn't see any reason to try to improve upon that.
|
|
|
|
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 2,428
Campfire Regular
|
Campfire Regular
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 2,428 |
"The specs cited in the posts above are a pretty stout load and were not a lot of fun for me to shoot."
yeah, while I have seen 55 grains of IMR 3031 listed for marlins with a 350 grain bullet , almost everyone, I hand load for and hunt with found 50 grains as the most accurate and resulted in noticeably less, but still very obviously impressive recoil, and many of the older manuals list 50 grains as near max 52 grains and up was not nearly as accurate in several marlins, and the 350 hornady loaded over 50 grains has killed several elk in our group btw I found 50 grains of IMR 3031 and a 215 fed primer under a 405 grain bullet extremely accurate in my BLR 450 marlin
Last edited by 340mag; 06/21/19.
|
|
|
|
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 674
Campfire Regular
|
Campfire Regular
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 674 |
Shot several elk with the hornady 350 rn out of my 1895 marlin, 1850 FPS, only recovered one bullet and that one went length ways ended just under skin
|
|
|
|
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 2,377
Campfire Regular
|
Campfire Regular
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 2,377 |
Contact member Coyote_Hunter as he has a great deal of experience shooting that bullet from an 1895.
|
|
|
|
Joined: May 2002
Posts: 9,536 Likes: 2
Campfire Outfitter
|
Campfire Outfitter
Joined: May 2002
Posts: 9,536 Likes: 2 |
An alternate bullet in lighter weight and a good performer is the Speer 300 grain UniCor/Plinker. It's a tough bullet that I've used at MVs up to 2200 fps without and signs of getting frangible.
I found a sweet spot at 2015 fps, 59 grains H322, Starline case, and CCI 200 primers. SD is a little more than I like at 37 fps, but I keep my shots well under 600 yards so the vertical dispersion isn't too noticeable. (grin)
But, my favorite for the .45-70 is the Piledriver jr/H322 going 1679 fps MV.
|
|
|
|
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 20,494
Campfire Ranger
|
Campfire Ranger
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 20,494 |
I found the Hornady 350 FP a bit more accurate in my experience. I've used a number of different powders -- 3031, 4198, RL7, Benchmark, 4895, AA5744. Found a real deep penetrating load with 405 gr cast water quenched bullets and a velocity of circum 1300 to 1350. Bestcwishes wìth your loads.
"Keep thy heart with all diligence; for out of it are the issues of life." (Prov 4:23) Brother Keith
|
|
|
|
174 members (338rcm, 12344mag, 10Glocks, 44mc, 470Evans, 15 invisible),
1,615
guests, and
938
robots. |
Key:
Admin,
Global Mod,
Mod
|
|
Forums81
Topics1,193,455
Posts18,507,971
Members74,002
|
Most Online11,491 Jul 7th, 2023
|
|
|
|