Rsim
My old original 444 Marlin 1895
Saturday, March 09, 2019, 11:01

was like a canoe paddle compared to what I ended up with in the same Marlin, but in 45-70 with the 18" bbl/Guide Gun. My efforts to handload the 45-70 in that compact hunting package was a great learning experience. After 1,000's of rounds downrange, I had what worked for me...a 300gr. Nosler Partition (PP) designed for leverguns at 2100-2200fps that went to Africa and fulfilled the purpose. Of course, Nosler discontinued that bullet. I still have a box of 50 and a few others laying around.

Back in 1971, at the age of 17, my 24" 444 Marlin 1895 was limited to the 240gr. factory loads of the time or the Hornady 265gr. JFP handloads by my inexperience. LBTs never occurred to me until the 45-70. My handgun of choice, the Ruger Super Blackhawk, was my learning curve handloading 44Mag. hunting loads. Learning to handload with a purpose, instead of just having fun burning powder took a few years. Like Jim Taylor said, making those long range shots is a great pastime, mine was an old compact propane tank with the valve removed hanging from a tree.
Last I saw it, before moving to FL last year, it was like a giant chunk of swiss cheese still dangling from that old rope.

Today, we have a lot of choices. Doesn't hurt to have the means to try new firearms, bullets, powders, etc. to meet a different need or want.

I think alot about new people I see getting into handloading, hunting, shooting and home protection. Can't spend an hour or two in the local gun parlor without hearing the same questions I had back in the late 60's and early 70's. Being careful what we say and who we say it to can be irritating, but still helpful as encouragement to the next generation of shooters. I hope I'm long gone before these freedoms we enjoy with our craft are gone, but not forgotten.

At 65, being neither young nor really aged, yet, I figure I have 15-20 good years left, the Good Lord willing, to be a voice of whatever experience I can share. Gary's work and his forum are invaluable in teaching what works and how to be safe. Still, there is a whole lot of BS to avoid...I don't envy folks who get caught up with the latest fad.
Nothing can replace experience, yours or someone else's.