Necking down 450 marlin or 45-70

[etisll40]

I'm thinking about re barreling a lever action 1895 down to 308. Is it possible to do that?

[ICANHITHIMMAN]

Originally Posted by etisll40

I'm thinking about re barreling a lever action 1895 down to 308. Is it possible to do that?

Well anything is possible. I have both and I just took a look its a pretty big difference in case head diameter. I would think your better of selling and starting over or picking something else. Why the switch?

[etisll40]

The round works well in a lever gun and the capacity is large. I was thinking of building a load for accuracy with a pointed bullet and then following them up with Hornady leverevolution tipped bullets. First shot counts the most.

[ICANHITHIMMAN]

Originally Posted by etisll40

The round works well in a lever gun and the capacity is large. I was thinking of building a load for accuracy with a pointed bullet and then following them up with Hornady leverevolution tipped bullets. First shot counts the most.

So why the switch? Mine is a great shooter, but I have it set up as more of a bear gun for up north.

I was just thinking a bit more about it, I have never seen a bottle neck case in any leaver gun except the savage 99 and the Browning BLR. I'm not saying it wont work cause to be honest I don't know just saying. I am loading the 350 Hornady bullets, I don't shoot it enough to jump up the the barns of some cast solids yet. I did have the recoil pad upgraded when I lived out in Washington, upgraded to ghost ring sights as well.

I bet it would sell pretty good or you might trade it at Avon or Bikerks. I don't see any other shop giving you a fair shake on a deal except them. If you want to sell it local and your not a member at Rochester Brooks send me the pics and details and I will put it on the peg board down there for you. You can do that at Bikerks as well.

I also have a 30-30 if you wanted to try a different round in a leaver gun before you made up your mind.

Jon

[etisll40]

I like my 336 30-30 Marlin, that is a great walk in the woods rifle, love it. I like levers too. Just saying, if I were to buy another one, or an 1895 chambered in 450 Marlin or 45-70, I wonder if I could re barrel that in 308 and use the case and neck it down to 308. There would be a lot more power and I could load a heavy accurate 30 cal spire point for longer first shot or single loading,in the range of 400 or so.Dumb idea? Possible to neck it down, if in an 1895 action, they are already set up to feed and extract the round. The bolt face is already correct. The oal could be a consideration? Got the idea. What do you think? Okay to be honest, it's just a thought right now.

[ICANHITHIMMAN]

Try asking Grizzly customs or I know another guy but I will have to get back to you as his name escapes me.

[etisll40]

Thanks, I will call them. But I think I've decided to buy another 24" Marlin 336 or maybe a stainless steel one as I know a smith that already reamed 20 of them this year into 307 wim. It is like the 308 but has a rimmed case so it feeds and ejects properly. He's like the Grizzly guys. Nonneman Custom Rifles - Fine quality firearms for the discriminating shooter... I load the 308 win and he said I could use the same dies. Marlin actions are great and he's going to slick mine up and do a trigger job. It will provide me with another lever option for deer and pigs, black bear and such. MORE MONEY, MORE GUNS.

I'm an addict. I sold 2 rifles last month and bout 4 more by accident. Make it 5 now.

Got any 308 hunting bullets you like? I'm thinking this will run maybe in the 2500-2600 max range. Pointed ok as I'm going to try and build some loads with the Hornady 160's to follow the first pointed bullet up.

I found a bunch of 307 win brass so I'll stock up.