The experts will be here soon to answer your questions better. Here's my take on it. I would be careful how hot a load you shoot out of an old rifle. If this was a black powder rifle then jacketed bullets are a no no! It would be best to keep pressures down. The loads of yesterday are not the same as the modern loads.

Take care of that fine old rifle and everyone here on Marlin Owners will want to see pics of that old rifle! I know I do!:biggrin:

 

+1 on Lever Addict's advice, and I also would enjoy seeing pictures. Shenandoah

 

Nice find!
There are a few things to remember about the 45-90.
First, it was called an express rifle, in that the standard loading might typically been the 350 grain bullet range. The rifling reflects this, as it is typically a slower twist than for examole the 45-70. The heavier bullets never worked for me.
Second, it is a large case, to be using smokeless powders to produce light loads. Therefore, it is a goal to find a powder that will fill the case as much as can be, without producing excess pressures.
And lastly, remember that most 45-90's could feed and shoot the lighter 45-70 Trapdoor level loads. It can however, build up a ring in the chamber like 22 shorts in a 22, tha must be scrubbed out before shooting the longer casings.
Bestboss

 

Hey there 10x -- Here is some more information for you to consider. And I gotta say, you should know better than to start something like this without pictures! Best regards. Wind

 

Nice find! I picked up a few boxes of PMC ammo they made a few years ago, they shoot pretty good. A note, all 1895s are smokeless barrels.

 

Hey again 10x -- It's great outfits like Starline have been producing brass for this rifle again, and it seems to be readily available. There was a time when all that was available were generic cases that we trimmed and shaped to our needs - for calibers like the 45-90 and 45-75 ! Best regards. Wind

 

+2 on Lever Addict's advice, and I, too, would enjoy seeing pictures.

JB

 

I third the motion! :biggrin: Lets see some pics!

 

Wind, thanks for the data! To satisfy everyone, here's a couple pics, 1895 on the bottom, and 1893 in 25-36 on top. Plus Annie Oakley on guard!

 

Annie seems to be taking her job seriously. Nice looking rifles. Thanks for the pictures. Shenandoah

 

Keeper of the loading manuals, aka Wind, From what manual is your attachment please?

Thanks.

 

Hey there ANF -- The page is from the Lyman Handbook of Cast Bullets with a 1958 copyright. Not only do these older manuals provide a wealth of load data, but also a huge variety of their bullet shapes/weights and mold numbers. Here is another page with some .45 caliber bullets. If you want an endorsement on shooting rabbits, deer, or bears -- you can read all about it!! When was the last time you saw any ammunition for your 45-85 (that's 45-85) at Wallyworld? Hope this helps. Best regards. Wind

 

Beautiful rifles-I have the sister to your 25-36. Where did you find the 45-90?

 

Thanks Kelley! I came across the 45-90 at the Antique Arms show last month. It was actually the worst looking 1895 there, but I could afford it. The others were near 100%, and short of trading the truck for one, this was a better option. Plus the bore is about perfect! Will see how it shoots tomorrow...

What load do you like for the 25-36? So far my best is with Win 748 and the Hornady 117gr JSP.

 

Hey 10X,

How does it shoot?

Later, Mark

 

I've only tried imr 3031 and have had pretty good luck with it. The rifle had no finish left on it, but the wood was in good shape and the takedown was tight so I had the rifle restored and bought a factory letter. I found original sights for it and got it shooting-it was the second old Marlin I bought and had some special order features so I spent the money on her! I really love 1895's but they are so few and far between. Can I ask what you paid for that 45-90? Looks like a $3000+ gun!

 

Fortunately not that much. Someone refinished the stock, so I got a break...

 

.Cartridges of the world says a 45/90 was a 300 gr. bullet and 90 grs. of black powder,a 45/85 was a 350 gr. bullet,and a 45/82 was a 405 gr. bullet.all in the same case.2.4 inches long.This is from 1951

 

Nice, nice 1895. 24" barrel would have been a special order, I believe. I've only seen one 1895 in some 60 years of messing with firearms. It was a 32"TD 38-56
that I bought from a party in Selma, Alabama back in 1964...

Care to guess what I paid for it?

 

Beautiful Marlins and Dog too!

Don't be tempted to shoot 45-70s in this one. They will shoot but will lead up the chamber and throat.

DD

 

Mark - It knocks the heck out of pig and turkey silhouettes! Unfortunately I have not had time to put it on paper. Maybe next week!

Mike - What did you pay for that back in the day?? Its all relative I suppose...

I have had one issue - with brass trimmed to just under recommended length (can't remember the number) and anything other than a 300gr lead bullet, the loaded cartridge is too long to eject. With 300gr jacketed, its probably 20 thou too long, and 400gr Rems would be ridiculously long if seated in the cannelure. I suppose trimming the brass back that much won't be horrible, anyone have some thoughts?

 

Mike - What did you pay for that back in the day?? Its all relative I suppose...

Paid $65.00 for it and that included the parcel post. In the early 60's I had a couple dozen early Marlins, and the most I ever paid was $110! Very few people were interested in Marlins back then.

 

I have found 42.5gr of IMR 4198 CCI 250 and a lee 340gr with my WW cast they are around 346gr works great but they are shot from a 86 Win a gun I in my view is much stronger than a 1895 Marlin. This is not a hot load a book load from a old lyman manual except for the magnum primer.
Double check all your info you get on the net and work up a load! Your chamber and o.v.l cartridge I bet will be shorter than what will work through the big 86 I would say start load would be about 38gr of 4198 with a 350 gr bullet. but every gun is a different story.
I would not push any of the big old guns they did a good job as they came back then, that load I used was loaded for a fellow that needed ammo for his old cannon and it does 2000fps with a 346gr bullet not bad at all.

 

5744 is not supposed to be position sensitive, but there is an awful lot of unused case when you use smokeless in a 90. I shoot smokeless in my 70 without problems but please do some more checking before going to it in a 90. Just being cautious on my part but strange things can happen.

 

Sounds like a perfect cartridge to buy a couple pounds of Trail Boss for. And while the 1895 is proofed for smokeless loads, I can't see any reason to ever shoot a jacketed bullet in it. Balance the alloy and hardness, use a gas-checked design if you want to run it hard, and if you don't cast, there are lots of good lead bullet choices available. But heavy jacketed bullets with long shanks can be hard on those older barrels. Just one man's opinion.

 

I have been using the top end trapdoor loads for over 25 years for both my 45-90's.
It does everything that I ask of it.

Tom