Marlin 1895XLR vs 1895

rommelrommel

rommelrommel

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How much stronger is the XLR vs the normal one?

I was going to go BLR, but I seriously like the looks of the 1895XLR, and I'm not about to spend 1200 to get the laminated BLR. Plus I'm thinking that the 45/70 is one hell of a versatile round even with off the shelf loads, use you average loads for deer, leverevolution loads for moose/elk, and some scary handloads for anything that might decide to eat you.

Oh, and what would it cost to port the barrel on the 1895XLR?
 
I couldn't find any data but my guess is that it is not any stronger. What they have done is chambered the gun in a modified 307 Win case, which is shorter, and they highlight that they use "modern powders that develop more consistent pressures while the bullet is in the barrel" They also talk about the importance of a long (24") barrel.

To me this means that they are using all the tricks, powder, and long barrel, to keep the pressure down to what the Marlin action can handle, around 40k to 45k psi.

Note that the 450 Marlin cartridge is loaded to 43,500 psi

The BLR uses a rotating bolt to secure the chamber, much stronger than the lever lockup of the Marlin. The BLR can take the pressure of all modern cartridges, say 55k to 65k psi.....

Anyone please correct me if my assumptions are wrong.

Is there any point to porting a 24" barrel??
 
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Just to clarify, I was considering the 1895XLR which is 45/70 vs the 1895 in 45/70 as well.

They seem to suggest that the XLR actions are stronger on the site, but I can't see anything factual to support that. I guess the optimization that they claim is the longer barrel possibly...

I know that the BLR is quite a bit stronger, but I really like the laminated look, and the price of a laminated BLR is just too much for me.
 
I haven't heard or read that the new XLR is any stronger. If you pick up the latest issue of Handloader, Brian Pearce has a good article on loading the 45/70. He didn't seem to have any need for more power when he took his 1970's vintage 1895 to Africa and pounded a round right through a Cape Buffalo bull and killed a cow standing on the far side. All comes down to bullet selection. I just received my NIB 1979-made 1895. Can't wait to get it out to the range.....right after I put a Decelerator pad on it.
 
I'm about 95% sold on a 1895XLR I think... It's so versatile, the factory loads should be great for brush deer hunting, and handloads or the hot factory loads for moose/elk/bear/whatever. And at least you can generally find ammo for it. I was going to go with a BLR in .358, but try and find ammo for that... there's one factory load, and it's $45-50 a box. I know 45-70 isn't cheap either, but there's almost always a box kicking around in any shop I've been in.
 
The only way to exploit the power of the 45/70 is to reload, if you reload to the same pressure level as the .450 Marlin you will exceed it. Light bullets to 2300fps for light game, 405grs. to 2000+fps, 480gr. to 1800fps+. This is important as factory ammo is supposed to go up 25% in the near future.
 
rommelrommel said:
Just to clarify, I was considering the 1895XLR which is 45/70 vs the 1895 in 45/70 as well.

They seem to suggest that the XLR actions are stronger on the site, but I can't see anything factual to support that. I guess the optimization that they claim is the longer barrel possibly...
Click to expand...

They don't actually claim that the XLR action is any stronger. They claim

built to take full advantage of the improvements gained with Hornady’s new LEVEREVOLUTION® ammunition.
Click to expand...

Which means the longer barrel, as you guessed, and use of different powders. I used the 308 Marlin as an example because they were comparing it to a 308 Win.

Note that typical pressures for 45-70 is 28,000 psi but the Marlin action can handle around 45,000 psi. So to get performance out of it you will need to handload.

Check the reloading forums, there was a thread about reloading the 45-70 to higher pressures.

The 450 Marlin cartridge is what marlin came up with as a high pressure 45-70 load. They just put a belt on the cartridge so it couldn't be fired in a 45-70. I guess you could call it a 450 Marlin Lawyer.
 
rommelrommel said:
I'm about 95% sold on a 1895XLR I think... It's so versatile, the factory loads should be great for brush deer hunting, and handloads or the hot factory loads for moose/elk/bear/whatever. And at least you can generally find ammo for it. I was going to go with a BLR in .358, but try and find ammo for that... there's one factory load, and it's $45-50 a box. I know 45-70 isn't cheap either, but there's almost always a box kicking around in any shop I've been in.
Click to expand...

45/70 isn't that expensive. Actually, it's one of the cheaper calibers I shoot. The last 45/70 Leverloution I bought was only $28 / box.
 
I love my XLR in 45-70! I looked at the 1895 but the straight stock wasn't my cup of tea. I slapped a FX-II 4X Leupold scope on it an it is a great combo.
I was surprised by the accuracy as well, last week it put 5 shots in at 1.5" at 100. I thought that was pretty damn good for a lever gun.
 
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