Those of you who shoot, or have shot, Hornady's 325-grain 45-70 Marlin LeverEvolution ammunition or higher end reloads with this bullet, please describe its mid-range trajectory or its no-holdover range - that is, ± 4 inches vertically from point of aim - at [fill in the blank] yards.
I ask, having invested a substantial amount of money for Savage Model 99s and beaucoup spare parts to create elk lever actions capable of doing the job at 225 yards, I realized that I may be able to achieve the effective range I want, for elk and mule deer hunting, with my Marlins. This frees up a huge number of dollars for me.
What I'm trying to do is work around needing/wanting a different rifle-cartridge combination. Were the 1895s unable to meet my eastern Montana range stipulation, I'll stay with Savage M99s. They are wonderful machines. But they require [their] purchase (done), parts purchase (done), new dies, different powder, Nosler Partition flat base bullets, bullet mold (for practice and fun shooting), brass. When I do the math, the cost of having 99s is severe - especially when compared with the cost of a few hundred bullets. . . . I can always get at least my investment out of my 99 stuff.
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I have downloaded Hornady's 45-70 and 450 Marlin 325-grain FTX handloading data (and LeverEvolution factory data) for Marlin 1985s. It shows 450 Marlin bullet being propelled significantly faster than the same bullet from a comparable 45-70. On its face, this makes little sense to me.
Anyone who has safely loaded his 45-70 FTXs to emulate 450 Marlin exterior ballistics, please identify loads that do the job.
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As I write, my 1895s shoot only my LFN GC 420-425 grain cast bullets, using standard primers and IMR 3031 and H322 in Starline brass. These combine to several combinations that have a ± 4-inch range of 150 yards. This is fine for Lolo but insufficient for eastern Montana.
I ask, having invested a substantial amount of money for Savage Model 99s and beaucoup spare parts to create elk lever actions capable of doing the job at 225 yards, I realized that I may be able to achieve the effective range I want, for elk and mule deer hunting, with my Marlins. This frees up a huge number of dollars for me.
What I'm trying to do is work around needing/wanting a different rifle-cartridge combination. Were the 1895s unable to meet my eastern Montana range stipulation, I'll stay with Savage M99s. They are wonderful machines. But they require [their] purchase (done), parts purchase (done), new dies, different powder, Nosler Partition flat base bullets, bullet mold (for practice and fun shooting), brass. When I do the math, the cost of having 99s is severe - especially when compared with the cost of a few hundred bullets. . . . I can always get at least my investment out of my 99 stuff.
***
I have downloaded Hornady's 45-70 and 450 Marlin 325-grain FTX handloading data (and LeverEvolution factory data) for Marlin 1985s. It shows 450 Marlin bullet being propelled significantly faster than the same bullet from a comparable 45-70. On its face, this makes little sense to me.
Anyone who has safely loaded his 45-70 FTXs to emulate 450 Marlin exterior ballistics, please identify loads that do the job.
***
As I write, my 1895s shoot only my LFN GC 420-425 grain cast bullets, using standard primers and IMR 3031 and H322 in Starline brass. These combine to several combinations that have a ± 4-inch range of 150 yards. This is fine for Lolo but insufficient for eastern Montana.