[Doug in Alaska]

I think this has been discussed before but I failed to find the topic by doing a search.  I have loaded 350 gr. cast bullets using a 2.55" oal for my Marlin 1895 GS and have had great results. This is the oal Marlin specifies in the owners manual.  I now plan to load a 405 gr. hard cast gas checked bullet and the reloading info calls for 2.56" oal minimum.  Has anyone had feeding problems using this slightly longer oal?

Thanks,
Doug

 

[Big Bore]

I load a 405 LBT LFNGC bullet in my 1895G and its OAL is 2.554" when seated to the crimp groove and it feeds fine.  But, if I try a 450 gr. LBT LFNGC that is loaded up for my No. 1 at 2.640" it won't even come close to feeding.  But this doesn't really answer your question, does it?  If you are using Marshal's bullets your OAL should be just fine to feed through the Guide gun, but if using some other bullet with the crimp groove someplace else, the only answer I can give is you'll have to try it to find out, or have your Marlin's carrier/lifter modified to feed a slightly longer round, which is not a hard modification to do.

 

[Gatofeo]

Since buying my Marlin 1895 in .45-70 caliber, new in 1977, I've limited overall cartridge length to 2.55 inch.
I've tried cheating on this a bit, by lengthening cartridges a bit, but it's resulted in the occasional round being balky or failing to feed without assistance.
I went back to 2.55 inch years ago and never tinkered again.
I've limited my bullets pretty much to the Lyman 457193 (420 grs.) and 457191 (300 grs) cast bullets and the Speer 400-grain jacketed bullet.
All work very well and I've never seen the need to change.
If the cast bullet specs call for 2.56 inch, try it with a dummy round first. If it works through your action slicker than a California celebrity attorney, go with that.
Each rifle is an individual and yours may have more tolerance than mine.

 

[Doug in Alaska]

Thanks for the info.  I loaded a box today and settled for 2.555" oal.  If I were to seat the bullets any deeper, I'd miss the crimp groove.  This round seems to cycle smoothly with no problems so far.  Hope these bullets shoot as good as my 350 gr. bullets.

Thanks,
Doug