Probably going to buy Marlin 1895 GBL...best bet for 45-70 ammo?

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RACKMAN

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Well, it's looking promising that Marlin has fixed their quality issues and I'm going to risk buying a new Marlin 1895 GBL. Now, I don't reload yet, so until I do I would like some recommendations as to what ammo to look for that will suit my needs. I'm buying this firearm to use as a brush gun...I will be taking it camping and want to have it as protection against bears(hopefully, I will never have to use it for that purpose, but just in case) and I will be doing some target shooting. I know that factory ammo for a 45-70 is not loaded anywhere near it's potential, so what's the best bear defence load I should look for...bullet type, grains, brand, etc? No need to start debating guns for bear protection, etc...I camp in VERY remote grizzly terrain and have had close encounters in the past, but never had to ever actually take a shot at a bear, but I now have a family to protect if necessary. Thanks for any recommendations.
 
My vote goes to the Federal Fusion 300gr rounds. Won't break the bank or your shoulder. They hold up real well too.
 
For big bears the penetration of the Remington 405 grain bullet at moderate speed trumps the faster and lighter Leverevolution load. And for target shooting the Remington load is more accurate in many rifles. And it may load more reliably, some rifles do not feed the pointed flex tip of the Leverevolution load as well as the flat lead point on the Remington.

One I have seen in the stores but not tried yet is the Barnes all-copper bullet load. I expect that it would be a winner.
 
I bought a 1895gbl for a similar purpose sold it to a friend and replaced it with a Rossi Rio Grande (a little lighter), both were equipped with after market sights ghost ring on the Marlin, Skinner on the Rossi (fireside post on the front), tried a few different brands Hornady regular and leverevolution, Federal blue box, at 25-50 yards shooting quickly I never found a difference in accuracy, bullet selection for bears might be a consideration. I found it hard to find much selection usually only one brand in the store.
 
The factory loads that are all in the class to be shot in an old Springfield trap door, are more potent than most people realize.
My brother once shot a normal sized cow elk with a Springfield Trapdoor rifle and 405 grain factory loads. It was at about a 45 degree angle away from him, he hit her tight behind the shoulder and the bullet exited the far side.
Some Alaska big bear guides have used the 45-70 for back up, for years, and I have read where they just used factory ammunition.
In reloading I think cast bullets ins the 405 to 420 weight would be about right. I always loaded 45-70 to the amount of recoil I wanted to live with and built up the loads accordingly.
The 45-70 certainly isn't fussy about powder. There are many powders in the medium burning rate that work great, such as 4895, 4320, 3031, 4064, you name it and it will likely work fine for heavy loading, and most of them will still be fine at factory velocities.
 
I shoot mostly Lyman 405 grain (457193)... but don't sell the 325 FTX short... with a stiff load of H4198 it is very accurate from my No.1... I have been playing with it a fair amount and have a load that has an impressive MPBR... it will play back-up to my 7X57 for moose and to my .30/30 on deer... neither will see action unless my arrows stay in the quiver.
 
The 405 Remington at anywhere between 1000 and 1700 fps is extremely effective and penetrates extremely well and straight. With reduced recoil in the express factory loading second and third shots come fast and easy. I reload this bullet to 1700 fps and plowed a 3" hole thru an incoming black bears neck and off shoulder. Recoil is still mild in my 7 lb gun
 
Have a look at the factory loaded Barnes Vor-tx TSX 300 gr and the Winchester 375 gr Dual bond. I have used both on blacks and penetration and stopping is excellent .
 
Id like to try the barnes 300 gr. and the hsm hard cast 430 gr. I only tried the 250 gr. monoflex and the 405 gr. rem. The monoflex out penetrated and had full expansion vs the 405 rem. a bit light though for 45-70.
 
hamhock said:
Id like to try the barnes 300 gr. and the hsm hard cast 430 gr. I only tried the 250 gr. monoflex and the 405 gr. rem. The monoflex out penetrated and had full expansion vs the 405 rem. a bit light though for 45-70.
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The HSM 430 bear load is a top load forsure..The recoil difference between the 430 and 300 is a lot..
 
If it's just for bear defense. Go with the heaviest bullet you can find. Make sure it feeds reliably. Inside 30yds it will not be a miss due to ammo selection.
 
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