Question about 1895 Marlin in 45-70 (1972- ? model)

[LEVERS4ME]

First of all, I'm pretty excited about my latest levergun purchase! I picked it up at a local pawn shop for 300 bucks! It's in great shape and has a perfect bore, so I can't wait to shoot it...
From what I have been able to find so far, I think it is an early 1972-? model 1895. It has a 22" round barrel with cut rifling, (not the micro-groove), 2/3 magazine and curved plastic buttplate marked MARLIN SAFETY MFA Co. It is drilled on top of receiver for scope mount and serial number appears on top of upper tang (23113848). Was this model factory drilled? According to an article here on Leverguns, cartridge length is critical, so any input from those of you who have this rifle, regarding case length, bullet types, favorite loads, etc. would be much appreciated.

[6pt-sika]

Going by the seriel number your rifle was manufactured in 1977 .

These rifles were made from 1972 until 1979 .
The only year they were Ballard rifled was in 1972 and not even the entire year .

[6pt-sika]

Also congrats on a nice find

[Hobie]

Those guns were all factory D&T top for scope and side for receiver sight. An excellent buy!

[1886]

That was an excellent find. Case length on any 336 action should be kept to 2.550". It is possible to modify the action to permit a cartridge O.A.L. of 2.650" to function properly. It should be a fine shooter with just about any reasonable load. You will need to be a little more specific when it comes to projectiles as the possibilities are enormous. Welcome aboard. 1886.

[6pt-sika]

IF you reload any of the normal 45-70 flat nose bullets from 300-405 grains will be acceptable if you crimp in the cannelure .

If you want to cast your own bullets give seriouse thought to the Lyman 330 grain HP mold . Also give thought to the Ranch Dog 460-350GC and 460-425GC molds .

I can personally attest to all three of these molds and have killed deer with all three !

If ur intrested in the Ranch Dog molds look on his website !

www.ranchdogmolds.com

[TNBigBore]

I don't believe there is any chance it is anything other than microcgroove rifled with the serial# you provided. The first 7000 or so with the BO prefix were the only ones that were "Ballard" rifled before 1998. Many of the early ones will not be marked as microgroove even though they are. Than being said, the most accurate Marlin 1895 I have ever owned was made in 1979 and had microgroove rifling. You got a super deal regardless.

[LEVERS4ME]

Gentlemen,

Thanks to everyone for the responses on all of the questions. I'm a little puzzled about the rifling though.... I'm certainly not an expert on micro-groove rifling and that's why I came to the experts here on the forum, but I've seen it before in late model Marlin rifles and the rifling in this gun does not look like the ones I've seen that were marked "micro-groove". This rifling is flat and somewhat shallow, not angled like the ones I knew were micro-groove. The ones I've seen before were obvious when just looking at the muzzle. I haven't had the forend off. Should the barrel be dated on the bottom? Possibly an earlier barrel on the 1977 receiver? Anyway, I am happy about the gun regardless. It's in nice shape and I plan to use it for hunting, so really looking forward to reloading and following the advice of those here on the forum. I have a 336SC in 35 Remington with Lyman 56 peep sight and it is an excellent shooter and great to carry. I will try to find a receiver sight for this one too or may try a scope. It had a Weaver base when I got it.

Best regards to all...

[Old Savage]

I also had a micro-grooved 1895SS 45-70 that was very accurate.

[Paul105]

This won't help you much, because at the time I had no idea about rifling (except that it was in the barrel). I had one of those. Bought it in late 1972 or early 1973. It was one shootin' son of a gun. Had to try Elmer's load. Didn't cast bullets in those days, so I used the 400 gr Speer. It was drilled and tapped from the factory, and with an old Weaver scope, it would shoot clover leaf groups at 50 yds with that combo. It was stolen several years later along with some other guns that I wish I still had. It's amazing how some of these posts bring back long forgotten memories. Anyway, you are going to really enjoy that rifle -- what a great config -- 22" bbl, 2/3 mag tube, straight grip.

Paul

[LEVERS4ME]

Paul,

Thanks for your post... I'm sorry to hear that your guns were stolen. I had some guns stolen a number of years ago, so I know how you feel.

I have an old 4X BEAR CUB scope with post type reticle that I may try on the rifle. I really like the configuration of the rifle too. Putting the scope on it will make it a little less handy to me for carrying, but I think I'll try it since I have the parts already. Probably will look around for a Lyman 56 receiver sight to go on it later.

Heath

[Doc]

Got a BO # 18** Marlin with micro groove rifling.
Shoots most everything (including) cast .459 well.
Straight grip 3/4 Mag. No ramp just a post/bead front sight.

[marlinman93]

Barrels should be serialized to match the receiver under the forearm wood. So removing the forearm it will usually be up near the receiver. Early in 1972 barrels had 8 groove rifling, and later they began using 12 groove rifling.
The first year of 1972 were all straight grip stocked, and the pistol grip variation didn't come out until later. Early guns also did not have the plastic buttplate with Marlin in an oval. They had a thin rubber buttplate with white line spacer.

[ndcowboy]

Holy cow - this thread brought back from the dead of 2008!