Does anyone know how fast you can load cast .45-70's? At what point do you start needing gas checks? I'm loading for a 1895G, can i even load hot enough to need them? Thanks guys --

For marlins microgroove, not very (unless they are oversized some), but ballards, you can load 405gr up to 1500 pretty easy and then you want to start gas checks.

I suggest them anyway. Cheap insurance.

My Marlin is Ballard-cut, & good call on the cheap insurance --

I know some guys who shoot almost daily (mostly range officers) and only at 1300fps, and they are tightwads so they want to save every dime, and don't buy gas checks. I shoot mine about once a month and only 10 or so then cause I take like 4 guns to the range.

I suggest http://www.laser-cast.com/AboutTrueShot.htmlor http://www.beartoothbullets.com/

With beartooth, you can order different diameters if you want to push them hard and both are gas checked.

For just plinking, I like 405 grain cast but just use 13.0 grains of Unique with a Federal Magnum primer. I get about 1200 fps with that load and no leading. If I go higher than that, I want Gas checks or jacketed bullets. I don't like scrubbing lead out. However with good hard bullets and good lube, many feel that 1600 fps is ok.

YES!! You can! I load cast bullets for my 45/70 Ruger No.1, and I have loaded the Lyman .457122HP to 2300 FPS in it using both RE 7 and IMR 3031 with no leading or loss of accuracy. That is a plain-base bullet, and I load it with a Hornady gascheck under the bullet, inverted on top of the powder. For such loads, the base portion of the bullet must be around Brinell 23, and I use LBT Blue lube or the equivalent for velocities much over 2000 FPS.

You can do the same, up to the limits of the Marlin action, and if there is some air space inside the case between the powder chargeand the bullet, just put a .45 cal. Wonder Wad or two on top of the powder charge and the inverted gascheck on top of the top Wonder Wad. The .45/70 is perfect for cast bullets. In fact, there is no reason in the world to use jacketed bullets in a .45/70 for anything at all.

Unless you got a microgroove?[]

Hey it shoots jacketed pretty good though.