Question for those who reload 45/70 in Marlin 1895

[cutter]

I have heard that any cast bullet over 405gr will not cycle through the Marlin 1895 action.

Is this true?

[jengel]

I shoot Cast Performance 420gr WFNGC bullets and they function fine. It really depends on the bullet shape. Pointed "Postel" bullets may not function through the action and they shouldn't be put in the magazine either. What kind of bullets are you talking about?

[1886]

I have loaded up to a 500gr FNGC in my cowboy with no issues. I do not know what prolonged shooting of these heavy recoiling rounds would do to the mag. tube assembly though. 1886.

[cutter]

I'm thinking about the Beartooth 450gr LFN.

[Guncase]

I also load the Cast Performance 420 grain WLNGC. I have had no problems with feeding, and I highly recommend this bullet. It has proved to be very accurate in both 1895's Ive tried it in.

[Leverdude]

Long as you keep the OAL within specs you'll be fine. At some point I imagine you'll lose enough capacity because so much bullets inside the case it wont be worth it to go heavier. I know guys that shoot 550's tho.

Just a word to the wise. I experimented to see just how long a round MY 1895 would feed. I forget the dimensions so wont mention numbers but I got to a point where it would still feed but wouldn't eject a loaded round.
Was frustrating to say the least trying to get the dang thing out. BTW, it was a dummy so I couldn't just launch it.

[Cast Bullet Hunter]

I have heard that any cast bullet over 405gr will not cycle through the Marlin 1895 action.

Is this true?

Short answer, No.

What is critical is overall length. So long as you stay under 2.550 you should be OK. Some Marlins can take a little more length, but not much.

[Comal Forge]

I shoot a 455 gr NEI FPGC and it works just fine. As others have said, it's all about the cartridge length.

[Leverdude]

I checked my notes.
Mine cycles, just barely 2.59. 2.60 wont eject a loaded round. That was with Speer 350sp bullets.