New to me Marlin 1894 Cowboy 45 Colt

[High Desert Hunter]

Took yesterday off since all of the GIs were participating in "resiliency day" activities. Went to the range to try a new load for my flintlock fowler with a .600" ball. Also brought along my new to me Marlin Cowboy 20" Carbine in 45 Colt. While the fowler and it's lack of a rear sight is still eating my lunch, the Marlin on the other hand was very pleasing. I was shooting 10.5 grains of Longshot under a 285gr copy of the 45-270SAA from an MP mould. I shot up some old Lee 255s loaded with God know what powder, probably Unique, been sitting in the nightstand for 20+ years, they were so-so. I also shot some bullets from the original RCBS 45-270SAA mould I bought after reading Dave Scoville's article in Handloader Magazine, they drop at 280gr, and they are right at .452, the others are .4535, ran everything through a .453 sizer. The RCBS bullets were OK for accuracy, but the MP bullets show real promise. May try some HS6 loads with the same bullet, and maybe a half grain more Longshot, but I could live with the current load quite well. I was shooting with my elbows on a bench, I will be putting this one on sandbags just to see how good it really is.

Dave

20250523_111135(1).jpg

20250523_122538.jpg

20250523_122516.jpg

[gamekeeper]

I thought I was the only one who used take a leveraction and a flintlock to the range....

[Scott Tschirhart]

I love a good Marlin Cowboy. Looks like you have a shooter!

[High Desert Hunter]

It definitely makes me want to put it on sandbags. May keep this one legal for Wild Bunch if I ever get around to going to a match.

[JOG]

I've picked one up myself a few years back.
It's nice to look at and quite a shooter!

IMG_20221203_200635383~3[1].jpg

[Bill in Oregon]

Don't you just love cloverleafs?

[High Desert Hunter]

Yes I do! Very pleased with this purchase!

[LeverGunner]

Nice shooting there. I love when a gun is running good. I have an 1894 Cowboy in 357, with 24" barrel. I love it.