If only Thompson Center would come back with their old line up of side lock rifles AND the quality they were known for. Someone said (on here?) S&W may sell T/C to an investor group made up of shooters. I don't know. I may never buy an other S&W for what they did to T/C.
RIGHT!!
Seems to happen all over the world of outdoor sporting equipment, over and over again: US company starts up, builds high quality US made products and gives great customer service, starts off-shoring production, gets bought out by some conglomerate, customer service and everything they sell becomes garbage. Winchester, Wing Archery, TC, Marlin, Remington, Cabelas, Simms (fly fishing waders and clothes).... the list goes on and on.
I was really surprised to learn, Ruger owns Marlin. That threw me.
The .45/70 is a very good woods gun. I own one. It can be hand loaded up just a tad for the Marlin.
I own one S&W. It's a 1006 10mm. I bought it in the early 90s and had the springs changed to shoot high velocity rounds. It's a great pistol. Too good to get rid of it. Other than that, I sold the rest. I cannot see where in the near or far futute, S&W will have anything I want. Even if they did, I would walk on by.
In addition to its heritage, I love the .45-70 because it can be loaded anywhere from 44 mag pistol performance with lots of noise and light recoil... all the way up to an elephant killer which is deadly on both ends. The only thing it won't do is well is ranges over about 175 yards. Your Marlin can probably handle just a tad more oomph than my Henry, but Buffalo Bore now lists the Henry as capable of handling its heaviest loads, and Henry agrees. I'm not gonna push mine too hard... a 350 grain bullet at 1,900 fps will handle a grizz just fine, and a 350 at 1,700 will be just fine for elk in the timber.
Ruger made their Model #1 in .45/70. They claimed it could take a hand load almost to the point of a .458 Winchester Magnum. That is a lot of thump.
There's a great story in the .45-70 section of Nosler's Reloading Guide # 6. The author took a Marlin .45-70 to Africa, and shot two Cape Buffalo with it. His first shot went all the way through the shoulders of the bull he shot at - and then killed a cow that was standing behind the bull!
Is this why you use an alloy?
I have experienced extreme leading in some barrels. I have an Old Army that leaves strips of lead in the bore, or did until Lewis turned me on to his secret lube recipes… Over-powder cards and wads help, paper patching stops leading, (obviousl) a smooth barrel helps too. Every new barrel I get is given the Lee Shaver break in routine. I believe it makes a difference. But I swear by Idaholewis’ modified SPG/Alox/StihlHPSynthetic bullet lube concoction. I started using it a couple years ago and it just stops leading, even in barrels notorious for it. I think he believes the Bullshop NASA lube modified with StihlHP is even better. I’m going to have to shoot up my supply of the SPG stuff before I find out and that will take a while!
I use his NASA lube recipe and shoot lots of lead bullets. T7 and lead in my ROA. Even a little smokeless powder and lead in a 45/70 conversion. I believe the secret is the Stihl synthetic oil in the lube. I don't thinkI’ll ever use anything else now.
The NASA lube price has increased. From an email from Bullshop: "Our bullet lubes are now $35.00 per pound plus shipping. Shipping is $10.00 for up to two pounds or $20.00 for up to eight pounds. Payment is by check, or money order, or cash"
I’ve never tried the NASA LUBE. Currently SPG is 30.00 per pound. I’m happy with the blend I made up. I added jojoba oil to thin it slightly. i expect I have a couple years supply left.
No, I've only hard cast bullets from wheel weights due to the availability back then. They shoot awesome out of my 1911. What few Maxi Balls I casted was using wheel weights as well. However, most all the ones I have are from my late dad. I am guessing he used wheel weights too back then but I cannot attest to it. All I know is those very by .005 or more and are too tight in my particular ML. The other Maxi Balls I had didn't seem to load nowhere near as hard as the ones I inhearted.
All I use now too. 1 small bottle of Stihl synthetic oil to a pound of NASA gives the perfect consistency for me. Some use 2 bottles of oil but IMO that's too sloppy for me.
Yes, thats the stuff
