Newlee SASS#5469 Posted May 28, 2021 Share Posted May 28, 2021 I have a Marlin cowboy, with an octagon barrel that I want to use for long range and some hunting. I’m looking for a load that I can use for both. The bullet will be lead, but what weight, 230, 250? I’m shooting titegroup for powder. For hunting I would like to try a hog. I would probably switch to the same weight in a jacketed round so that my sights would not change.. So that’s what I’m looking for. Any help would be appreciated. Respectfully Newlee Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Colorado Coffinmaker Posted May 28, 2021 Share Posted May 28, 2021 First tidbit. A Jacketed bullet will NOT print to the same point of impact as a lead bullet. You'll have to sight/adjust for each bullet separately. If all you want to do is shoot out there a ways and perhaps take hog, using TightGroup, simply go to the Hodgen load tables and approach the Max Load data. No two rifles print the same for a given load. You're going to have to play around. Best bet will be 230 - 250Gr Jacket Flat Point for Hog and 230 - 250Gg RNFP. Your "other" choice is a full case of 3f with either bullet weight. Have Fun Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Garrison Joe, SASS #60708 Posted May 28, 2021 Share Posted May 28, 2021 Get very good accuracy at 100 yards with my load that is about 6.5 grains of Winchester Super Target (WST) and a 230 grain flat nose truncated cone cast slug. About 2" groups consistently. If hog hunting, I'd step up to a heavy load of Unique and a 250 grain jacketed bullet. Why mess with cast when there are great jacketed bullets for hunting something that could be dangerous? It really does not take long to reset your factory open sights for another load, and all you will likely need is a step lower on the rear sight.. good luck, GJ Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Michigan Slim Posted May 28, 2021 Share Posted May 28, 2021 Unique makes a nice loading. I'd recommend a soft point and not a hollow point, driven hard. A hollow point on hogs can be bad news if it doesn't penetrate. Holes on both sides is the goal with the one on the off side being rather large. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Diamond Jake Posted May 28, 2021 Share Posted May 28, 2021 My hunting load is 8.2 gr Unique and 250 gr RNFP. It shoots as accurate as I can see with the sights, though the trajectory really drops off after about 75 yards. Your Marlin will handle +P loads though, so I'd check the manuals for an even stouter load. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
John Boy Posted May 28, 2021 Share Posted May 28, 2021 New Lee, you might want to consider the 454 casull bullet for the 45 Colt https://www.chuckhawks.com/454casull.htm If it will drop steel rams using lead bullets in my 60 Henry as it does at 500 yards, it sure will roll a boar Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tom Bullweed Posted May 29, 2021 Share Posted May 29, 2021 A .45 caliber bullet that does not expand is closer to a perfect .30 cal bullet that does expand, and the .45 Colt at long distances will likely be to slow to expand reliably. A blunt nose TC or SWC would be as good as it could reliably be in this non-magnum pistol cartridge. Ben Pierce of Handloader magazine said that 2400 was his choice for getting the .38 WCF, .44 WCF and .45 Colt to perform in rifles. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Yusta B. Posted May 29, 2021 Share Posted May 29, 2021 A good read from Paco Kelly on .45 Colt lever guns. https://www.leverguns.com/articles/paco/45coltlevergun.htm Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Griff Posted May 29, 2021 Share Posted May 29, 2021 Simply butchering the name of the 45 COLT by adding the word "long" doesn't make it a long range proposition. You don't provide enough information in your question to provide an intelligent answer. 1st: What cotton pickin' range are you considering long? 'Cause frankly, if you're thinkin' in the neighborhood of anything over 150 yards for hunting, you're probably going to be disappointed. Unless you put a suitcase handle on the top. Yes, you can shoot the dang thing out to 200 yards & more, what you understand about "zero effective range" will be more and more important for hunting. 2nd: You've been given good advice above. It's up to you to add some uncommon good sense in how you use it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Newlee SASS#5469 Posted May 30, 2021 Author Share Posted May 30, 2021 Thanks to all who responded. Some really great information. I especially liked the article on 45 long colts lever guns. The suggestion of soft points as opposed to hollow points was very helpful. Yes I realize that I wasn’t very specific about what’s long range. Several years ago, (20) I was able to ring a buffalo silhouette at 400 yards with iron sights and a 357. Today a 3 inch circle at 100 yards is long range with iron sights. Still don’t believe in scopes although I do own a couple now. I believe I will be starting with a 250 gr lead bullet and not worry about switching to jacketed. I also have some 2400 from another round I used to make so I’ll look at that and other powders. Thanks again for all the great info. Respectfully Newlee Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cusz M. Dutch SASS Life 55326 Posted May 30, 2021 Share Posted May 30, 2021 On 5/28/2021 at 7:28 PM, Yusta B. said: A good read from Paco Kelly on .45 Colt lever guns. https://www.leverguns.com/articles/paco/45coltlevergun.htm 300 grain hard cast lead and a stout load of H110 will amaze any and all scoffers when they see the results of the 45 LC on game, even at longer distances. I know, I have seen the light... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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