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Posted: 3/11/2026 6:35:01 AM EDT
[Last Edit: MonkeyMedic83][Edited]
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I have a somewhat older Marlin 1895ss, manufactured in 1992. What kind of ammo/hand loads are safe in this rifle? Just wondering what kind of box ammo I can use and if the loads I have are too hot or not Current loads I have for 325-350gr bullets 64gr 4064 62gr 3031 |
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I don't have data for your powder at hand but looking at Hodgdon's #21 manual, you are in .458 Win mag territory which is likely to burst your Marlin. The Marlin receiver is pretty thin between the barrel and the magazine tube. Back off some and save your retinas. Any factory ammo is safe in your rifle. |
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The reloading manuals usually have 3 categories for .45-70 loads. Something like trapdoor, lever action, and Ruger no. 1 Hodgdon data is online: https://hodgdonreloading.com/rldc/ I've got a 405 grain hardcast load for my 1895 that's currently a little disappointing at maxium charge, and I need to decide if I want to change powder or exceed book max to get the velocity I'm looking for. |
I know I'll never go home.
So set fire to your ships, and past regrets, and be free.
So set fire to your ships, and past regrets, and be free.
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OP, where exactly did you source those loads? As others have mentioned, there are three levels of 45-70 data, from weakest to strongest they are: trapdoor, lever and Ruger #1. Your listed loads are significantly higher than the Ruger #1 max load data from all sources I have on hand. (Nosler, Speer, Hornady, Hodgdon, Lyman and Ackley) (Even Ackley who was known to be a bit wild didn't go that high) You may want to reconsider your loads before you break something or get hurt. MLG |
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Originally Posted By MonkeyMedic83: I have a somewhat older Marlin 1895ss, manufactured in 1992. What kind of ammo/hand loads are safe in this rifle? Just wondering what kind of box ammo I can use and if the loads I have are too hot or not Current loads I have for 325-350gr bullets 64gr 4064 62gr 3031 Post the source for those loads. Do you own printed load manuals? @MonkeyMedic83 A 1992 manufactured Marlin 1895 is not an old gun. |
Keep your powder dry, and watch your back trail.
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I'm watching my back trail.
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Originally Posted By MonkeyMedic83: I have a somewhat older Marlin 1895ss, manufactured in 1992. What kind of ammo/hand loads are safe in this rifle? Just wondering what kind of box ammo I can use and if the loads I have are too hot or not Current loads I have for 325-350gr bullets 64gr 4064 62gr 3031 Both those loads shown above are over current data. And are compressed... load density wise. As for OEM ammo.... most commonly available 45/70 ammo is loaded to "Trapdoor" levels... which is the lowest of the 3 levels mentioned. |
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CUP: Level 1 (Trapdoor): Max ~19,000-28,000 CUP. Safe for original Springfield Trapdoors and replicas. Typically a 405gr bullet at 1,300–1,500 fps, suitable for deer/bear at moderate ranges. Level 2 (Lever Action): Max ~28,000–40,000 CUP. Designed for modern lever-actions like the Marlin 1895 and Winchester 1886. Common with 300gr–350gr bullets at 1,800–2,000+ fps, suitable for all North American big game. Level 3 (Modern Single-Shot/Ruger #1): Max 50,000+ CUP. For robust modern rifles like the Ruger No. 1 or falling blocks. These loads can exceed 4,000 ft-lbs of energy, suitable for large African dangerous game. PSI: Trapdoor (Weakest): Up to 28,000 psi. Lever Action (Modern): Up to 40,000-43,000 psi. Single-Shot/Bolt Action (Strongest): Up to 50,000-60,000 psi. // Online anecdotal for the older Marlins, seems to be 40,000 psi. |
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Your loads are way overpressure. They even exceed the upper limit for Ruger #1. Factory loaded ammo from Buffalo Bore is quite stout but is available in loads safe for the 1895 Marlin. 405 grain soft point at 2000 fps. It has substantial recoil. https://www.buffalobore.com/index.php?l=product_list&c=35 There are equivalent loads in most of the loading manuals for lever guns. Do not use the data for Ruger #1 or stout bolt guns. |
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Because others were expressing some concern, I ran 64.0 gr of IMR4064 with a 350 gr bullet through Gordon's Reloading Tool. It showed over 80,000 psi peak pressure against a 31,900 psi max allowable. GRT was throwing all sorts of warning flags about that load. Do not use that load. To say it is "over pressure" is an understatement. I also ran some cases to find where you SHOULD BE. You need to drop the powder charge by about 20 grains , down to about 45 grains to have any reasonable margin against the max allowable. Honestly, it should probably be a bit lower than that, too. Going from 64 gr to 45 gr, the muzzle velocity went down by only ~500 fps from a 24" barrel. |
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