Just ordered the piledrivers for my 1895. It is a new one with less than 100 rnds. of factory ammo through it. When ordering the Beartooths, the order page asked for the make of gun and the size bullets. I entered .458 for the 1895. Upon examining my invoice online, it states that .460" dia. bullets were shipped. Is this an oversight in shipping or are these the proper dia. bullets for my gun? As always, any attention to this post is greatly appreciated. P.S. I removed my forend and slimmed it down with a wood rasp, flat file, and several grades of sandpaper. It fits the forend cap and reciever like the butt-stock fits the tang. Much nicer to feel and even better looking. In the slimmed version (1895SL) :) with XS sights, it is perhaps the perfect bear-country canoe/fishing rifle. I suppose it would be acceptable to hunt with too. :D . Last time we went on a canoe trip in the Brooks Range, we saw 21 Grizz in 7 days including one who wandered within 40yds of the campfire. Will feel much more comfortable with a Piledriver equiped 1895SL.

The .460's are what you want. For hardcast bullets in a big bore most people shoot .001" or .002" larger than groove diameter. They will be fine. I shoot .460's out of my 1895.

The .460's are what you want. For hardcast bullets in a big bore most people shoot .001" or .002" larger than groove diameter. They will be fine. I shoot .460's out of my 1895.
Thanks I've been on hold waiting on dies, powder, and brass for three weeks. Finaly ordered the bullets and got worried when I saw the .460 number. Much appreciated!

two8, the .460" dia. is what I shoot out of my 1895 as well. 425grnWLNGC/460" with 52grns. of H322-very good accuracies. You might want to buy Marshalls sinkers and slugg your bore. Not all Marlin owners are or have experienced what I had and that was fliers! The dovetail cuts both at the front & rear sight created the bulges in the bore with different readings-I used my caliper to measure the sluggs but a micrometer would be the better bet. My bullets were being swaged down in size from .458" to .455"-wow! Firelapping cured the problem. Extemely accurate and less recoil than before.
I live here right below the Brooks Range and have seen many what we call "floaters" passing by our village. You are correct in the numbers of Grizzly that can be seen in a short time. Fish and Game stated some 7yrs back that there was an estimated 3.5 bears per sq. mi.-pretty healthy bear population. I travel the Chandalar river country quite extensively as this is my "play" ground and may have encountered you as a passer by. Generally when I encounter a "floater" I ask if all is well-help is hard to find when you are in this country-wish you well.
regards
grizz106

.460 is the correct diameter for cast. I shoot those in my guide gun. Are you using the Junior or Senior piledriver? I use the 525gr and they are fantastic. Best feeding of any round I have shot.

Good shooting and traveling

Grizz

twoatlow,
I merged the two threads to keep all responses in one place. Please don't double post, it gets hard for responders to keep track of the information presented.

Thanks