Hornady in my 45-70

marlinberetta

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I picked up a 1975 45-70 to add to my Marlin collection and got lots of ammo in the deal. I started out with the 250gr Hornady and it is extremely accurate. Problem is that it hangs up in cycling and it takes some work to get the next round in. For hunting I'm hoping one shot is enough but needless to say I can't trust it. Luckily I have two boxes of 325s too and they cycle flawlessly. How can the same brand act so differently in the same gun? Looks like the 250s will be range bullets...at $3.25 a pop:)
 
The Hornady FTX rounds have trimmed brass because the little rubber tip makes the projectile longer.
You may need to update your magazine follower as the older marlin followers were designed for flat nose projectiles and won't reliably feed FTX and some of the other newer more rounded rounds.there are a number of people who manufacture new followers and they are quite inexpensive and easily changed.If you need any more information you can pm me ... in fact I may even have a new follower around if I look.
 
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How old is your marlin? OP says his is a 75 and would have the older follower unless it's been changed. Also I've been told that some have problems and some don't. MY 77 had troubles and my hunting partner's 06 didn't but he changed his follower also because he didn't like the new plastic one the rifle came with.
 
ImageUploadedByCanadianGunNutz1478288172.689943.jpgWhen using the Hornady 325g FTX bullets the case need to be trimmed to 2.040"
 

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The top of the barrel in the receiver (breech face?) might need to be radiused. The newer guide guns are radiused and it really helps with the hang ups when cycling the action; especially when doing so at a brisk pace.

A google search will lead you to Marlin Owners and some good how info on what needs to be done.
 
I think I'll leave it be as the 325s are flawless, smooth as butter. The 250s will sit on the shelf for range use I guess.

The 250 and the 325 hornadys are entirely different bullets - the 250 gr is a all copper bullet (mono) and the 325 has a lead core and copper jacket - both have the bubble gum tips and are nearly the same pysical size - BUT the 250 GMX bullet Way out penetrates the 325 out of my 45-70 Gov ! The 250 is a GREAT bear bullet for shoulder shots ! jmo RJ
 
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