Recent content by Keith M Sheehan

Another powder that is currently available and gives excellent results is AA2015. 53-54 grs. behind a 400 gr. Speer, Remington(405) or Barnes will deliver 1800+fps and 1 1/2" 100 yd groups. Lots of recoil, but you'll never feel it when taking game.

Oops, didn't mention the rifles for that load: M95 Marlin, Ruger #1, Ruger #3. If you use that load in the Ruger #3, bring lots of aspirin and absolutely stay as far away from your 'scope as you can get! I bought the M95 in 1972 while living in Alaska and have subsequently killed 57 big game...

I've used VV133 with great success: Fed 210M/53.0 grs/Speer or Barnes original 400 gr bullet = 1.25" groups @ 1800+ fps. An excellent load for any horned game in Africa (except Cape buffalo or Rhino), big bears in Alaska, and all the critters in N.Z. Been there, done that.

While living off grid in the Talkeetna Mts in Alaska in 1972, I bought the very first M95 Marlin in the state. There was no data for modern loads, so I started with the max load in the old Lyman reloading book and worked up in 1 grain increments using IMR 3031. 52.0, 53.0, 54.0, 55.0, and...

With the powders available right now, my recommendation is N133. I have 7 .45-70's and have hunted with them all over the world with great success. I strictly use 400-405 grain bullets and my all around favorite is the Speer. The load I've settled on is 53.0 grains of N133. This will...

I've had a German made .340 Weatherby for 40 years. It's scoped with a 30mm 2 1/2-10x Swarovski in Talley rings & mounts. I've killed critters with it all over Alaska when I lived out in the bush for 8 years plus during six safaris in Africa. It will shoot groups better than I can hold them...

To TR1hemi: I've been a fan of the .45-70 since 1972 and currently own 7 of them. Contrary to your observations it has been one of easiest to achieve 1-1 1/2" 5 shot groups that I've ever owned. If you want your lever actions to shoot straight (M95 Marlins, I assume) use AA2015, VV133 or...

Hi Otto, I've been hand loading for 65 years. All the way from .32 S&W up to .45-90. When I started, it was considered such a dangerous "black art" that the parents of my friends wouldn't let them visit my parents' house while I was hand loading in the basement. Everything I've read from...

'Way back in the 1970's, I was a Guide in Alaska for 8 years. Prospective clients would always ask, "What kind of rifle should I bring"? My answer was always the same: bring your favorite deer rifle. Yeah, once in a while some guy would bring a Model 94 in .30-30 or .32 Spl. but I was far...

Hi Dave, Your loads will be both safe and mild in your M95. By my calculations they're all generating about 28-30,000 psi. Be3 advises that the M95 can, and has, been chambered in cartridges safely generating 45,000 psi. so, if you are going to list Black Bear on your itinerary, you might...

I know that the Hornady 325 gr bullet is a very efficient killer, and I'm sure that the 250 grainer would be great for deer and maybe black bear, but I'm just hung up on the devastating aspects of a 400-405 bullet. Yeah it belts you around a little bit more, but I know the trajectory of it like...

Wow. Thanks so much, Dean, for your extensive response. I appreciate any and all additional information about .45-70's. Just a quick story for you: I went to the Hauck Ranch (where "Dances with wolves" was filmed to cull a Buffalo. I asked for, and got, the oldest one they had. He was a...

Many thanks for your insight and expertise, Randy. As I mentioned before, I have successfully used my M95 Marlin to hunt all over S. Africa and New Zealand and, as you know, there are times when long shots are required. I have made two such absurd unavoidable shots: one a Kudu at 328 yards and...

I own 7 .45-70's and have hunted extensively with them on three continents, including an 8 year stint in the Alaskan Bush. When I got my first one it was a 22" bbl M95 Marlin made the first year of re-introduction, 1972, with Balllard rifling. The load I came up with then was 54 grew. of IMR...