Speer Hot-Cor 350 in Marlin 1895?

[Tennessee_Ted]

Had kind of a bonehead moment while shopping for bullets the other day, and picked up a box of Speer Hot-Cor 350 grn .458 bullets on a lark, intending to use them in my Marlin. It wasn't until I got them home and opened them up that I realized my error in that these are obviously intended for .458 safari rifles.

Anybody have any experience using them in a lever rifle? Any load suggestions that would have an OAL that would allow them to cycle? I'm not concerned with pushing the pressure limits of the 1895, I'd just like to not have them go to waste.

Also, I noticed that, while these have a flat point, it appears to be slightly narrower than the large primer pocket on the .45-70. Any danger in using these in a tubular magazine?

Thanks,
Ted

 

[ArchAngelCD]

I have no experience with that bullet but why would you say it's not for use in a 45-70 levergun? I looked at them on the Speer bullet site and they look just fine but like I said, I have not used them before.

 

[Tennessee_Ted]

The bullet is considerably longer and more aerodynamic than the .45-70 bullets I've used previously, and the load data that I've been able to find thus far on it is has been for the highest pressure loadings of .45-70. It looks it would probably cause feeding problems in a lever gun.

 

[ArchAngelCD]

Speer is usually very helpful when you need information on loading their bullets. Contact them and they will tell you if those bullets can be used for 45-70 ammo meant for a levergun. I think that's the best way to go. Every time I have contacted them they were helpful.

Please keep us updated especially since I load for a Marlin 1895 too...

 

[Tennessee_Ted]

Thanks for the suggestion. I'll contact Speer and let you know what I find out.