What does Strong Action mean when it comes to Lever Rifles such as the new Ruger made Marlin 1895?
Strong action means 40,000 c.u.p. (copper unit of pressure). Some reloading manuals such as Barnes® et al, use 43,000 psi as a marker for pressure. To check your rifle cartridge for either psi or cup pressure see below.
How big are big bullets and why use them?
In 1873 the standard 45-70 Government cartridge used a 45 caliber 405g bullet with 70 grains of black powder…hence the name 45-70. I consider the 400g bullet as big, however these vintage rifle barrels and actions like the trap door or Sharps were no where near capable of todays modern 45-70 pressures.
Many of todays 45-70 lever rifles can handle bullets over 500 grains as long as they don’t exceed COL cartridge overall length and have a cannelure for a roll crimp to fit the 45-70 lever rifles. As an example, see
And because of strong actions, these big bullets can achieve velocities approaching and in some cases exceed 2000 fps. Like getting hit by a fast train.
These heavy bullets provide a key ingredient. Penetration! Alaskan guides sometimes use the 45-70 lever actions as back-up for close dangerous game encounters such as brown and grizzly bears.
It is momentum, a product of mass (bullet weight) and velocity which creates unparalleled penetration. And it is the damage done by the bullet as it passes through tissue. Bullet speed aids greatly in radial damage as well.
Some use the Marlin on African safari with great success.
I prefer a controlled feed bolt action with my M77 .375 Ruger like I did with my recent American buffalo hunt, or larger like the 416 Rigby or 416 Ruger for really big dangerous game such as cape buffalo.
I use a recoil taming shoulder harness when practicing on the bench.
Standing free hand, these big rifles rock your whole body thus absorbing the more tolerable heavy recoil.
It is a wild ride that keeps me coming back for more adventure.
Good Hunting!