Home Forums Reloading Big Game Rifles Just got my gorgeous Marlin 1895 sbl. Need reloading advice!

Hey all!

First want to say hi and thanks in advance. My name's Danny by the way.

I'm new to owning a rifle, nonetheless reloading, but I just had to have this rifle, and I think relaoding is the only way to go with this caliber (Plus it's pretty cool to boot). I'm going to Lake George, NY in November to hunt whitetail.

I have an order ready to go from Midwayusa, and I just want to see if this is all I need to get started hand loading:

Lee Classic Loader
factory crimp die
chamfer and deburring tool
primer pocket cleaner
improved powder measure kit
hornady interlock 350grain FPs
Winchester Large Rifle Primers #8-1/2
starline nickel plated brass

All .45/70 obviously

I also need powder, and I scavenged this forum, but there seems like SO many powders to use that I don't know where to start!

All help, advice, tips, tricks and personal experience will be extremely helpful.

God bless America!

-Danny

Several fine powders. I run H4895 in mine, but I'm using 405 grain slugs. Suprisingly accurate rifle. See if you can score a copy of the August 2007 Handloader magazine. A multi page article with more details on loads for the 45-70 Marlin than I've ever seen elsewhere. The cartridges don't typically stretch much, but a case trimmer might be good. Good luck,

53 gr of IMR-3031 under 405 gr bullets
55.5 gr of IMR-3031 under 350 gr bullets

These are pretty much max loads so back down 10% for starters & work up to whatever is max in your gun.

MM

I use H4895 for heavy loads and IMRsr4759 for light stuff. RL7 is a great powder also.

42.0grs RL7 + 405 = accurate and mild - 1600fps or so
59.0grs H4895 + 350 Hornady FP = fast - 1922fps - very accurate
28.0grs IMRsr4759 + 405 = mild - 1300-1400fps - very accurate



Here is a group of 3 with the 42.0grs RL 7 @ 60yds with peep sights



Here is a group of 5 at 60yds with the IMRsr4759 load with a 2.5x scope. The one to the left is from a squeeky clean bore.

I would steer you away from nickel plated brass. Do you have dies? You can get by without a scale for the 45-70 and use your dipper cups providing you get the right powder. Eventually you need a scale. How about a caliper? I will put in another vote for H-4895 with the Hornady 350 grain bullets.

You might find this helpful.


http://www.beartoothbullets.com/tech_notes/archive_tech_notes.htm/49

Flashhole, what particular reason do you have not to use nickel plated brass? I have read mixed reviews.

Welcome aboard! The .45/70 Marlin is a lot of fun to load, shoot and hunt with.

Take a look at Hodgdon's on-line data. Good stuff, broken into various power levels from mild to ouch. For whitetail deer, there's no reason to push the envelope hard. Factory level loads with a good 300 - 350 grain bullet will do fine, as well a 400 or 405 grain bullet at modest velocity.

I've seen excellent results from H322, as well as H4198, and RE-7. Varget was surprisingly good, although it wouldn't be my first choice.

With so little time before your hunting trip, consider just buying some good 300 gr factory ammo, and using it this year. You can reload those cases at your leisure over the winter.

Good Luck! Guy