Opinions on big bore levers wanted

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Originally Posted by Big Jack

I wonder are these the JM stamped barrels?

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I believe they are, but I do know the new factory makes or made the xlr in 30-30, not sure about the bigbores

I've got the 24" XLR .45-70. Only have open sights on it. It's got the ballard rifling and works well with 325 grain Hornady's. But I really bought it for the 405 grain loads and accuracy seems to be a problem with it.

These rifles come in both JM stamped and Remington junk versions. I have the Remington junk version and would recommend you avoid them. They are not very nice. Problems with poor fitting sights. The action is not very smooth. It seems to shoot okay though - with the 325's. Both the .444 and .45-70 XLR are out of production now.

Oh - and they are very very heavy. Not suited to a "carry in the bush all day" sort of hunting. I don't like slings, but have a sling on this one.

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Originally Posted by werner.reiche

Oh - and they are very very heavy. Not suited to a "carry in the bush all day" sort of hunting. I don't like slings, but have a sling on this one.

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A sling on a lever gun just seems wrong, I put one on my 30-30 due to sheer convenience when hiking a lot in big bush but it seems very wrong.

Well my new to me 45-70 JM stamped Marlin is home now. I will shoot FTX 325’s but have hard casted 323GN bullets from an LBT mold. Gas checks will be used along with powder coating.

I expect to achieve full power loads with these cast bullets but will see!

The fellow I bought the gun from has sold me his set up for the 45-70. I’ll post some results once I get to the range.

Thanks for everyone’s responses.

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Originally Posted by Big Jack

Well my new to me 45-70 JM stamped Marlin is home now. I will shoot FTX 325’s but have hard casted 323GN bullets from an LBT mold. Gas checks will be used along with powder coating.

I expect to achieve full power loads with these cast bullets but will see!

The fellow I bought the gun from has sold me his set up for the 45-70. I’ll post some results once I get to the range.

Thanks for everyone’s responses.

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Congrats! Did you end up with a Guide Gun or the 22" barrel?

Sent from my SM-A520W using Tapatalk

Thanks!
Ended up with the 22” on purpose.
Start powder coating the cast bullets tomorrow hopefully.

I have an 1895CB and it is capable of MOA off the bench.
Attachment 39465

Attachment 39466

The bullets were individually weighed out to 403 gn. The powder was individually weighed as well right down to the kernel.

Big Jack,

Welcome to the 45-70 family. I have a old Marlin 1895. It is a tack driver.

Do you have microgroove or ballard rifling in your new rifle?

I also have a Marlin in a 375 Win with microgroove rifling and I find cast bullets need to be way oversized for good accuracy. It does shoot them well though.

I

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Originally Posted by huntaway

I have an 1895CB and it is capable of MOA off the bench.
Attachment 39465


Attachment 39466

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That’s some good shooting!

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Originally Posted by Muskyhunter

Big Jack,

Welcome to the 45-70 family. I have a old Marlin 1895. It is a tack driver.

Do you have microgroove or ballard rifling in your new rifle?

I also have a Marlin in a 375 Win with microgroove rifling and I find cast bullets need to be way oversized for good accuracy. It does shoot them well though.

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Not sure - is there an easy way to tell?