1895- first time at the range

.45 · Post by **.45** » Mon Jun 02, 2008 9:17 am

Took my new to me 1895 to the range yesterday. Didn't have any reloads made up yet, but I really needed to fire this gun. Used 405 gr Black Hills Ammo. Started with a 3 shot, and then a 5 shot group, both at 50 yards.
Will get some of Ranch Dogs bullets cast and put some Benchmark behind them and see how it does.

As a bonus to getting good results with the 45/70 I also got to shoot some custom 1911"s. As I was getting ready to leave a guy by the name of Bob Marvell pulled in. Bob owns Marvell Custom Guns. He was there to test some new 1911's he had just finished. I had never fired a 1911 and never new what all the fuss was about. Well I do now!!

Just another great day at the range!!

RIHMFIRE · Post by **RIHMFIRE** » Mon Jun 02, 2008 11:07 am

pretty nice groups...
now you need to reach out and touch something
with the 45-70...
5 months til hunting season

AJMD429 · Post by **AJMD429** » Mon Jun 02, 2008 3:17 pm

I couldn't tell - was it the "regular" or the "cowboy" model?

.45 · Post by **.45** » Mon Jun 02, 2008 6:55 pm

AJMD429 wrote:I couldn't tell - was it the "regular" or the "cowboy" model?

Regular. 1972 model I believe, unfired until yesterday.

Curiousgb · Post by **Curiousgb** » Mon Jun 02, 2008 8:29 pm

Scary how accurate they are. With scope mine will shoot an honest inch 3 shot group at 100yrds. Only problem is that it beats the snot out of me. I am experimenting with different powders to reduce felt recoil.

Post by **Ysabel Kid** » Mon Jun 02, 2008 10:26 pm

Very cool!

sore shoulder · Post by **sore shoulder** » Mon Jun 02, 2008 10:31 pm

Nice groups, minute of elk for sure. I just wanna know how you did so well shooting upside down on the one target.

Jaguarundi · Post by **Jaguarundi** » Tue Jun 03, 2008 1:24 am

Congrats that rifle shows potential

!

.45 · Post by **.45** » Tue Jun 03, 2008 7:22 am

sore shoulder wrote: I just wanna know how you did so well shooting upside down on the one target.

I was laying on my back. Doesn't everyone do that?

Charles · Post by **Charles** » Tue Jun 03, 2008 9:48 am

That is a very good start with a very good rifle. With the right loads, that rifle will shoot groups half that size. It look to me like you have some verticle stringing. Did you run the rounds through the magazine? If so, that might account for the stringing.

These Marlin 45-70 will do their best cast bullet work with bullets at least .460 in diameter.

My Marlin 1895SS will shoot five shot 50 yard groups of 1" to 1.25" with the RCBS 405GC bullet over 26/4759

.45 · Post by **.45** » Tue Jun 03, 2008 5:56 pm

Rounds were loaded 1 at a time. Had the rear sight a low as it would go and was still hitting high, almost off the paper. I was aiming at the bottom of the black circle, or at least trying. Will try some 350gr Ranch Dogs this weekend and see what happens. They will be sized .460.