joevh
Hammer Time Executive member
I have a Marlin 1895 Guide Gun 45-70 in stainless. I think it's a 2006 model - true Marlin before Remington mucked it up. I've had it for a number of years and would really like to take it elk hunting this fall - I know just the tangle of deadfalls and misery where it would shine! I could use some help with running a pressure ladder. I'm comfortable doing this with a bolt action, relying mostly on bolt lift pressure and ejector marks. I feel somewhat clueless with this lever action.
My previous load was 49gr IMR 4198, 300gr TSX, 2100 fps and very accurate. I shot a pressure ladder today with IMR 4198 and 250 gr Shock Hammer.
55 gr - 2363 fps. close to 100% full
56 gr - 2451 fps. at least 100% full
57 gr - 2486 fps. compressed
This was done with my new Garmin Xero C1 Pro. (very sweet little tool!)
Attached are pictures of the primers, left to right 55-57 gr. You can see a little more flattening on the 57 than the 55 in the pictures, but not really with a naked eye. The primers don't look bad to me. This is previously unfired Starline brass. Web measurements are .499 unfired, .506, .507, .507. The cases were trimmed to 2.04" as has been recommended here in order to crimp in the top groove and still cycle in the action. C.O.L. is 2.54". I tried crimping with my LFC die but it didn't seem to do much so I used my RCBS seating die and roll crimped it as part of the bullet seating.
I'm looking for guidance in finding pressure signs with this lever action. It's probably noteworthy that I gained 88 fps from 55-56 gr, but only 35 fps from 56-57gr, but I'm not sure what it might mean, and with only one data point for each, not sure how significant it is. There is precious little reloading data in the Hammer Hunter reloading guide for the 45-70, and not a lot elsewhere for 250 gr bullets. Any guidance in seeing pressure with these lever guns will be appreciated.
I would like to try a pressure ladder with Reloader 7 as well if I can find some, before I start shooting for groups - these are expensive bullets and I don't want to waste them. I know that Joe16 would say AA1680 will show faster speeds than 4198. I've also seen Les mention that he wouldn't us a ball powder in a straight wall case, but clarification on that would be helpful. AA5744 is next to 1680 on the speed chart, is extruded, and say's it's good in a 45-70, so that may be a good option as well, although I've had good luck with Alliant powders and feel that R7 is probably the best other option.
Thanks for any advice.
My previous load was 49gr IMR 4198, 300gr TSX, 2100 fps and very accurate. I shot a pressure ladder today with IMR 4198 and 250 gr Shock Hammer.
55 gr - 2363 fps. close to 100% full
56 gr - 2451 fps. at least 100% full
57 gr - 2486 fps. compressed
This was done with my new Garmin Xero C1 Pro. (very sweet little tool!)
Attached are pictures of the primers, left to right 55-57 gr. You can see a little more flattening on the 57 than the 55 in the pictures, but not really with a naked eye. The primers don't look bad to me. This is previously unfired Starline brass. Web measurements are .499 unfired, .506, .507, .507. The cases were trimmed to 2.04" as has been recommended here in order to crimp in the top groove and still cycle in the action. C.O.L. is 2.54". I tried crimping with my LFC die but it didn't seem to do much so I used my RCBS seating die and roll crimped it as part of the bullet seating.
I'm looking for guidance in finding pressure signs with this lever action. It's probably noteworthy that I gained 88 fps from 55-56 gr, but only 35 fps from 56-57gr, but I'm not sure what it might mean, and with only one data point for each, not sure how significant it is. There is precious little reloading data in the Hammer Hunter reloading guide for the 45-70, and not a lot elsewhere for 250 gr bullets. Any guidance in seeing pressure with these lever guns will be appreciated.
I would like to try a pressure ladder with Reloader 7 as well if I can find some, before I start shooting for groups - these are expensive bullets and I don't want to waste them. I know that Joe16 would say AA1680 will show faster speeds than 4198. I've also seen Les mention that he wouldn't us a ball powder in a straight wall case, but clarification on that would be helpful. AA5744 is next to 1680 on the speed chart, is extruded, and say's it's good in a 45-70, so that may be a good option as well, although I've had good luck with Alliant powders and feel that R7 is probably the best other option.
Thanks for any advice.