Marlin Cowboy in 45 Colt

[High Desert Hunter]

I am pretty sure these have a 1:38" twist, wondering if anyone has one, and if it shoots the 285gr RCBS 45-270SAA bullets well. I am looking at one, but it's a chunk of change, and that is the bullet I hands down shoot the most. I am very happy with the Marlin/Ruger 1894 Classic in 44 Magnum I bought last year, had some issues early on, but they were corrected. It has a 1:20" twist, but I shoot mostly a WFN of 270 grains from an NOE mould, and it is quite accurate with that bullet. Not sure if they are going to release one in 45, and this JM Marlin is just a little more than I paid for the new one.

Dave

[Scott Tschirhart]

I have one and it feeds a 270 SAA bullet with no difficulty.

We are waiting on a new Ruger/Marlin 94 which will be chambered in .45 Colt that should be in production now. I’ll let you know.

[earlmck]

I have a Rossi with the slow twist. It will shoot the 300 grain bullet I like fairly nicely to 100 yards but it falls apart by 200 yards. So if you don't need to shoot past 100 yards I'd bet you would be OK with the older Marlin and your 285 grain bullet. If you want to shoot farther out -- maybe not so OK.

[High Desert Hunter]

With the new Marlin in 44 and 305gr Lee soup can bullets, hits at 200 yards have been easy. I was shooting it along with my Great Grandad's Winchester model 94 in 32 Special and the Marlin was doing well keeping pace, the sights on the old (1927) 32 aren't the best for my aging eyes, but the Marlin is a peach. I'm looking forward to hearing about the new Marlin 45 Colt.

Dave

[earlmck]

the Marlin is a peach. I'm looking forward to hearing about the new Marlin 45 Colt.

Dave

Yeah, I shoot against a guy who has a 45 colt rifle with 20" twist. He generally waxes my patootie at the 5 and 600 yard targets. (I'm using an old 38/40 with short fat bullets for this game)

[High Desert Hunter]

While I really would like a 20 twist, generally speaking my days of flinging heavy lead have for the most part come and gone. In the 44 Magnum 90% of my shooting is with 270gr cast bullets from an NOE mould, in the 45 Colt the RCBS 45-270SAA from an MP mould is what I use for general purposes, may pick up a flat nosed 260gr to make it a little easier on my hands which don't like me as much as they used to, years of of turning wrenches is catching up.

Dave

[Scott Tschirhart]

While I really would like a 20 twist, generally speaking my days of flinging heavy lead have for the most part come and gone. In the 44 Magnum 90% of my shooting is with 270gr cast bullets from an NOE mould, in the 45 Colt the RCBS 45-270SAA from an MP mould is what I use for general purposes, may pick up a flat nosed 260gr to make it a little easier on my hands which don't like me as much as they used to, years of of turning wrenches is catching up.

Dave

I understand. Most of my shooting with the .45 Colt is with relatively mild loads. My hunting load isn’t much more powerful.

[High Desert Hunter]

Scott, some of us learn quicker than others. I'm a mite slow in that regard.