45/70 loads

[Henry45]

I've started shooting my Marlin 1895 22" 45/70. I've only tried my loads because i want to use jacketed bullets instead of lead for hog hunting. No matter how i adjust the buckhorn sight, i shoot low at 50yards. Now, i'm nowhere near max, but i'm running 1700 + fps with my loads. Bullets are 4503 Hornady, 350g FP and powder is IMR4198.

No matter how i adjust the sight, it still shoots about 4-5" low. Groups are centered, but low. If I slowed down the velocity, would that bring the groups up? I'm wondering because it didnt' matter what i did to the sights, it still shot low.

Anyone more familiar with 45/70 can shed light on this for me? Never had a gun shoot and not be able to adjust the sights, but i've not shot any factory stuff yet either.

 

[erikharwell]

Slowing the velocity will only make it shoot lower. Put a 1 to 4 scope on it and be done with it. Or bring the front site higher into the sight picture. I am shooting barnes 250 grain copper bullets pushed around 2300 fps and have had amazing results. 2 one shot kills. Has some old gourds to get rid of. Got 30 inches of penetration through them and smallest measurment in width of recovered bullet was .72 inch.

 

[GaryL]

I like the scope idea. I did the same with my 45-70. Just be sure to pick one with a long eye relief, like about 5".

 

[Sunray]

You use a Trap Door load instead of a lever action load?
1700 + fps is a below minimum load for a 350 jacketed bullet out of a lever action, according to Hodgdon. Minimum of IMR4198 for a jacketed 350 is 47.0 at roughly 2032 FPS.
Scoping your rifle will not make any difference. Nor will it make the rifle shoot better.

 

[Henry45]

Yeah, i see that Sunray.. Weird. The max load in the newest Hornady book is like 45.3, and starts at 32 with IMR 4198. That's a big difference... I know, even at approx 1700, with 40g, it kicked like a mule... I'm wondering since it's the only gun i have that has ''semi buckhorn'' sights, maybe my sight line putting the dot on the front in the bottom of the ''horn'' may have not been correct..

47g.. i wonder if my shoulder can handle that.. LOL!

 

[MR]

Henry45,
Since it is a Hornady bullet I would continue using Hornady load data, and stay away from that Hodgon site. I have only been loading for 1895 marlin 45-70 for 25 years, so take it for what it's worth.
mr

 

[Henry45]

Thanks MR. I'm gona do that. Way too much difference isn't it..

 

[dh1633pm]

I put a 4x Shotgun scope on my 1895. Works well.

 

[Wis-Harpo]

45-70 Loads

I have a Siamese Mauser in 45-70 that I had built in 1983 and started using in 1984. In 1984 I was 35 years old and did not mind a 50 grain load in back of a 350 grain Hornady bullet. But now I am 67 years old, and since the last 2 times at the range I am considering backing off the loading to the lever action loads. The rifle has a 26 inch barrel, and as much wood as possible left on the Fajan stock. It is sort of heavy, but I never weighed it, because if I knew how heavy it actually was I might not take it hunting again. I now am shooting the Hornady 325 FTX flex tip because the 350 round nose have been hard to get. I just saw the 350 RN listed from a supplier, and will order them soon.
My problem will be a fun one. I am going to try to get the 325 FTX and 350 RN to sight at the same point of impact. I thought I may try 45 grains with the 325 FTX, and 47 with the 350 RN. This will be a good place to start.