Reloading for 45/70 with Hornady Flex tips.

Deja vu · September 13, 2011, 08:48 AM

Yesterday I saw that my local gun shop has a 1895 Marlin in 457 WWM. I have been looking it up on line and found that it is a custom job for a longer 45/70 bullet. That got me thinking

If this rifle can take a longer bullet would I be able to load those Hornady 325 grain flex tips on top of normal 45/70 brass in this rifle? I think I could bump up the power a little with a normal 45/70 case instead of those short Hornady cases.

p.s. posted this on the marlin page as well but I respect the opinions here so I though I would post this here too.

Magnum Wheel Man · September 13, 2011, 10:21 AM

I'm not familiar with the chambering, but sounds like it should work... butt... WILDALASKA should be able to get you the info you need

personally I don't think Hornady should be able to call the Flex Tip 45-70 a 45-70, since the case is shorter... it could cause excessive pressures for a new shooter

Wleoff · September 13, 2011, 12:05 PM

I've loaded them okay FTX in 45 Colt 225 grains, but if I remember right, the COL and case length are different. I've also got the fixings to load 45-70 in 325 grain FTX. Due to the longer ogive, the cases are cut shorter. So once you use the case with a FTX bullet, it's too short for anything else. Go to the Hornady Reloading Manual. I'd check it for you, but I'm away from my reloading room.

flashhole · September 13, 2011, 07:24 PM

Below is the write up I found on the Alaska Forum. Sounds like a pretty cool round if it uses the 45-90 cases and gets better ballistics with less pressure. I'm not a fan of the Hornady flex tip bullets but their 350 RN or FN is first rate. The best I can consistently do with my Guide Gun in 45-70 with this bullet is ~1960 fps. Launching one at 2200 fps would bring a smile to my face and extend the useful range of the gun.

457 WWM
Posted by Murphy on Nov 30 2005

The 457 Wild West magnum is a slightly longer case than the 45-70 (actually the 45-90 dimensions) and it enables them to load to the ballistics level that a lot of us are handloading in the 45-70 with out the potential problem of shooting over max loads in a older 45-70. Given the max overall length capability of the lever guns, bullet seating, etc, it offers only a slight gain in powder capacity but will give max 45-70 ballistics with less pressure.
The 457 WWM ammo is advertised as 350 grain @ 2200 fps. and I think a 405 grain @ 2100 fps. Which can be obtained in the 45-70 but at some risk and not for a steady diet in the Marlins, which are the primary target for the WWG conversions. In short it is a safer way to obtain maximum ballistics from the lever gun. Also the owner of a 457 WWM can safely shoot over the counter 45-70 ammo, an added benefit which can result in a significant cost savings since 457 WWM ammo is a bit pricey.

It is the same thing as the 450 Marlin, but in a different package. Marlin wanted the most powerful round available in a lever gun. The 457 WWM is billed as the most powerful round for a lever gun. 450 Marlin ammo is with a 350 grain @ 2150 fps. If one were a died in the wool lever gun-a-holic, the WWG conversion to the 457 WWM may be it. But a very expensive gun, to do ballistically what can be done with a bolt action in 458 Win. Doesn't make sense but a lot of my gun purchases don't either. Hey, it's a hobby.

Good shootin'.

Murphy

September 13, 2011, 08:48 AM	#1
Deja vu Senior Member Join Date: March 14, 2010 Location: Border of Idaho & Montana Posts: 2,584	Reloading for 45/70 with Hornady Flex tips. Yesterday I saw that my local gun shop has a 1895 Marlin in 457 WWM. I have been looking it up on line and found that it is a custom job for a longer 45/70 bullet. That got me thinking If this rifle can take a longer bullet would I be able to load those Hornady 325 grain flex tips on top of normal 45/70 brass in this rifle? I think I could bump up the power a little with a normal 45/70 case instead of those short Hornady cases. p.s. posted this on the marlin page as well but I respect the opinions here so I though I would post this here too. __________________ Shot placement is everything! I would rather take a round of 50BMG to the foot than a 22short to the base of the skull. all 26 of my guns are 45/70 govt, 357 mag, 22 or 12 ga... I believe in keeping it simple. Wish my wife did as well... Last edited by Deja vu; September 13, 2011 at 10:15 AM.

September 13, 2011, 12:05 PM	#3
Wleoff Senior Member Join Date: June 6, 2008 Location: North AL Posts: 380	I've loaded them okay FTX in 45 Colt 225 grains, but if I remember right, the COL and case length are different. I've also got the fixings to load 45-70 in 325 grain FTX. Due to the longer ogive, the cases are cut shorter. So once you use the case with a FTX bullet, it's too short for anything else. Go to the Hornady Reloading Manual. I'd check it for you, but I'm away from my reloading room. Last edited by Wleoff; September 13, 2011 at 12:31 PM.

September 13, 2011, 07:24 PM	#4
flashhole Senior Member Join Date: February 9, 2005 Location: Owego, NY Posts: 2,000	Below is the write up I found on the Alaska Forum. Sounds like a pretty cool round if it uses the 45-90 cases and gets better ballistics with less pressure. I'm not a fan of the Hornady flex tip bullets but their 350 RN or FN is first rate. The best I can consistently do with my Guide Gun in 45-70 with this bullet is ~1960 fps. Launching one at 2200 fps would bring a smile to my face and extend the useful range of the gun. 457 WWM Posted by Murphy on Nov 30 2005 The 457 Wild West magnum is a slightly longer case than the 45-70 (actually the 45-90 dimensions) and it enables them to load to the ballistics level that a lot of us are handloading in the 45-70 with out the potential problem of shooting over max loads in a older 45-70. Given the max overall length capability of the lever guns, bullet seating, etc, it offers only a slight gain in powder capacity but will give max 45-70 ballistics with less pressure. The 457 WWM ammo is advertised as 350 grain @ 2200 fps. and I think a 405 grain @ 2100 fps. Which can be obtained in the 45-70 but at some risk and not for a steady diet in the Marlins, which are the primary target for the WWG conversions. In short it is a safer way to obtain maximum ballistics from the lever gun. Also the owner of a 457 WWM can safely shoot over the counter 45-70 ammo, an added benefit which can result in a significant cost savings since 457 WWM ammo is a bit pricey. It is the same thing as the 450 Marlin, but in a different package. Marlin wanted the most powerful round available in a lever gun. The 457 WWM is billed as the most powerful round for a lever gun. 450 Marlin ammo is with a 350 grain @ 2150 fps. If one were a died in the wool lever gun-a-holic, the WWG conversion to the 457 WWM may be it. But a very expensive gun, to do ballistically what can be done with a bolt action in 458 Win. Doesn't make sense but a lot of my gun purchases don't either. Hey, it's a hobby. Good shootin'. Murphy __________________ ,,, stupidity comes to some people very easily. 8/22/2017 my wife in a discussion about Liberals. Are you ready for civil war?

September 13, 2011, 10:21 AM	#2
Magnum Wheel Man Senior Member Join Date: July 26, 2006 Location: Southern Minnesota Posts: 9,333	I'm not familiar with the chambering, but sounds like it should work... butt... WILDALASKA should be able to get you the info you need personally I don't think Hornady should be able to call the Flex Tip 45-70 a 45-70, since the case is shorter... it could cause excessive pressures for a new shooter