Figured I can post this thread here as it for just in "general". My 1895G, for grins one day a week or so back and a number of years later I pondered "slugging" the bore. It seems as I am not to familiar with any of the process of riflings that "button" rifling presses into the steel causing "bulges" as I so noted. Slugged my barrel in 3 place with #8 egg sinkers and have 3 different measurements. Front sight area .459/5", midbore .457.5" and rearsight dovetail cut .455/5"--- now I have gone over my readings a few times so that I am certain that these are correct. I just ordered from BT the "kit" and wondering about what sizing can I expect after the process of firelapping? I believe the bore is actually .450 and riflings at .458"? So it appears if all goes well I should have "life" after the fact. I have had some "fliers" when I hunted with this firearm a number of times so this gave me call to be curious. I never papered the gun as I do my scoped --figured for a up close levergun it was not entirely neccessary but now...................what is you kind folks input?

Pretty typical to have bad constrictions in the barrel under the dovetail cuts, and sometimes the stampings. Let us know how it works out after lapping! I think you'll be pleased.

Pretty typical to have bad constrictions in the barrel under the dovetail cuts, and sometimes the stampings. Let us know how it works out after lapping! I think you'll be pleased.
Thanks MikeG-will do.

I could never get my Guide to throw slugs any better than a smooth bore shot gun, and did not think lapping out the barrel to .460 was the answer. Maybe in the US one can buy .461/.462 lead bullets and get the thing to shoot , but when I bought the thing I understood it was a 458 bore.
It is becoming common knowledge that Marlins have 1.5 thou. overbores and restrictions.
If your going to lay your hard earned money down. you think you would not need to deal with this situation.
I and fellow shooters could not get the guide to shoot any better than 6'' groups , so why spend the money on trying to get the bore opened up more to get a barrel that is close to the same size through out.
Now I have seen some decent groups shot from other makes in the 45/70 chambering , so we should all tell Marlin to do something about Q/C if they want to keep selling us rifles.

If we keep keep buying and accepting a product that needs rework , things will never change.
Now I have an older 336RC in 35 Remington and it will group anything you throw at it.
Just love the gun.
Hence with the Guide gun I expected the same quality.
I would phone Marlin to complain,before trying to fix what you have.
Call it hind sight.That was What I should have done.
After a year playing with it I sold at a loss.

I've firelapped a couple of Marlins now and my experience is that you will end up with a bore diameter about .002" - .003" larger than your current largest diameter. Looks like about .4958".

I've firelapped a couple of Marlins now and my experience is that you will end up with a bore diameter about .002" - .003" larger than your current largest diameter. Looks like about .4958".

Mike - I think you transposed two numbers....did you mean .4598?

Indeed lapping will take care of the constrictions, and uniform the bore. It's really interesting the enthusiasm of folks once they have lapped their first barrel! The differences are dramatic both in accuracy improvement, and ease of cleaning the bore post lapping. Most folks, after lapping their Marlin 1895 45-70's, in any of the variations of this rifle, usually report the guns shooting sub-MOA with many loads, both cast and jacketed.

And yes, it does appear that Michael transposed a couple of numbers, and he's spot-on with his numbers. I too would expect the finished bore to slug somewhere around .459" perhaps as large as .4597", but it'll shoot like gangbusters with either jacketed or properly sized lead.

Keep us posted on the progress with your project!

God bless,

I can see lapping the bore . but to the point of opening up the 45/70 to close to a 460 bothered me.
Marshall stating that once done and the lead matched to the bore size make it a great rifle .
Great if you then, do not have to import Lead into your country fron the USA.
Let Marlin under bore the rifles and lap the lumps out ending with the proper or intended bore .

If Marlin were to do that, my 336/35 RC would soon have a new brother. :D They can take that to the bank.
Happy

Indeed lapping will take care of the constrictions, and uniform the bore. It's really interesting the enthusiasm of folks once they have lapped their first barrel! The differences are dramatic both in accuracy improvement, and ease of cleaning the bore post lapping. Most folks, after lapping their Marlin 1895 45-70's, in any of the variations of this rifle, usually report the guns shooting sub-MOA with many loads, both cast and jacketed.

And yes, it does appear that Michael transposed a couple of numbers, and he's spot-on with his numbers. I too would expect the finished bore to slug somewhere around .459" perhaps as large as .4597", but it'll shoot like gangbusters with either jacketed or properly sized lead.

Keep us posted on the progress with your project!

God bless,
Marshall,
Talked with Gail this morning and the kit is on the way. I'll post the results soon. thankyou

Mike - I think you transposed two numbers....did you mean .4598?

Yeap! .4598"