Accuracy of Marlin 1894

I dont have it anymore, wish i did though, but my old JM stamped 1894 would put 10 240gr jsp winchesters in 2 to 2 1/2" at 100 yards open sighted. Plenty good for deer/pigs

Both my Marlin 1894s chambered for .357 mag will put quality ammo in the 2 to 2-1/2" range at 100 yards as well.

I can generally do a bit better than that with the Marlin 1895 45/70 using 405 grain lead or 325 grain Hornady Leverlution.

Sorry I don't have one in .44 magnum to report on. Maybe I should fix that.

I purchased a M1894 in the about 1983 and it was never very accurate and the barrel was of poor quality. I could see tooling marks for one thing and the barrel had tight spots. I sent it back and Marlin put on a slightly better barrel. Accuracy was not so great and cast bullets stripped at magnum velocities. Once the Ballard barrels came out I sent it back for a Ballard barrel. I do believe the Ballard barrels were much better quality and the rifle will shoot something like 4 MOA with 240 grain cast bullets at magnum velocities. Four MOA is about what the thing will shoot with 240 JHP. I remember trying heavier bullets and they shot worse. The twist is too slow for bullets heavier than 240 grain in my experience. If you want to shoot 300 + grain bullets you are better off with the 45/70 Marlin.

I too had an older early '80s model .44Mag in the 1894 Marlin, and try as I might I couldn't get that rifle to shoot worth a darn as far as accuracy went. Ending up selling it shortly after buying it. However I've got the 1894 in the 45-70 with the Ballard barrel and in which I put 4X Scope on it and it will hold a 3 shot group within a MOA. Not sure if they still have the Micro-groove barrel on them still.

I bought a used Marlin 1894S (.44mag) at the Medina, OH gunshow in ~1988. IIRC, it was mfd in ~1984.

Shortly after getting it I installed a Williams 5D rear aperture sight and shot it quite a bit over the next decade.

With inexpensive 240gr JHP (American Eagle, white box, etc) it will consistently put rounds into ~2" at 100yds.

It was my walkabout rifle for a long time. The recoil was a bit stiff, especially off of T-shirt or bare flesh in the summertime, but it would reliably put that slug where I wanted it to go.

See http://www.thehighroad.org/showpost.php?p=10072286&postcount=3
That should address the question as to how well the `94/44Mag can do -- even w/ home cast.

One thing that sometimes happens with pistol caliber carbines is what works best in the carbine isnt what works best in the pistol.

44 rifles often have rather generous groove diameters, which may be some of the reputation for accuracy, or lack of. I believe SAMMI specs go up to around .433" groove diameter for rifles, its a little less for handguns. Somehow some people get it in their mind that X calibers sizing is Y. Well, maybe. Unless it isn't.

No guarantee what groove diameter barrel youll get, 2 examples off the same line can be different. Your idea of "OMG too large groove diameter!!!!" isn't Marlins or other manufacturer if it falls within the specs.

I've had two both a 357 and a 44

If either printed under a 6" group at 100 I don't remember it. Inside 50 neither was significantly more accurate then the companion revolver I had at the time.

I've had many 336 based Marlins and never found them lacking in accuracy in the least

I shoot my 44 carbine at 50 yards since with open sights my vision makes 100 a push. With the right ammo, 2 inch or so groups are doable. Mine does not like bullets bigger than 240 grains, but otherwise it does pretty well with Leverevolution, WWB, and oddly with lrn cowboy action stuff. If I ever put a scope on it, I bet it would be a dandy 100 to 150 yard deer and pig getter.

The stupid slow twist Marlin uses works fine for bullets up to and including 300gr. My "S" model shoots under MOA with the 270gr Gold Dot. My Cowboy model shoots into an inch at 50yds with my generic 240gr SWC handloads. Contemplating having one of them fitted with a fast twist barrel but that would be for 320-355gr LBT's.

Got one around 2008.
Only shot Hornady "custom" factory ammo in it.
240gr.

Had a 1.5-5 scope on it.
5 shots at or under 2" at 100 yards.

And only a rolled up coat for a rest, on a bench.........in very cold weather (yeah, took my coat off to make a rest).

Did two groups, 5 shots each. Same result.

Previously I had shot it elsewhere and dialed it in at 50. Just wanted to see how it performed at 100.

I was content with the accuracy. Not really a lever gun guy. Decided since pops has a fingergroove Ruger 44 auto........I don't need a .44 mag rifle of my own. So went to .35 rem (Contender carbine). Think maybe I'm due to have a Ruger #1 rebarreled to .35 Rem.

I don't have a 44 mag version but I do have a late 1990s 1894 24" in 45 colt. It is very accurate,clover leafs at 25 yards.
I never had a problem hitting 18" x 24" steel targets at some CAS matches at 75 yards offhand.

I've had two .44 Mag Marlins. The current one will shoot 2" groups at 50 yards with Hornady XTP 240gr bullets and iron sights. Can't stand scopes on a lever gun. I can regularly ding our 8" steel at 100 from kneeling or sitting with XS peeps and front sight. Both guns shoot better than pistols but aren't going to replace my heavy barreled .308 in the foreseeable future.

Neither gun has liked cast bullets of any size or weight.

Mine will do 2-3" at 100 with most any load I've tried.

I shot a 1894C, and it returned 1.5" at 100 yds. That being said, that was a newish, but pre remington model, and not a 44. Ive heard the 44 uses SAAMI max barrel properties, and sucks for it, but if you can get custom sized bullets, it pays off. The C is in .357 mag, and will probably out perform in accuracy at range, but will less power. Overall, that rifle had an excellent trigger, and was very accurate, and very reliable. The 44 is probably just as capable. The C does not like shot OAL, and jams terrible, if below a certain point, requiring taking apart the action to clear. The action on the rifle I was using put any other lever rifle ive seen to shame, and made a winchester feel like a clunky NON synchro manual transmission. Hope that helps.

Are you absolutely set on a Marlin?





Uberti uses 1-20" twist and as can be seen, shoot great.

35W

Nice 1873 there, 35 Whelen. I notice yours has a different style front & rear sight than my 1991 version in .44-40 does.

My 1894 circa 1981 has absolutely horrible accuracy. Typically a 1.5-1.75 MOA gun with 240 Sierra JHC's with 22.5gr of H-110. Same with 240gr XTP's over 10.5 of Herco. It shoots cast halfway decent opening up groups to about 2.0-2.5 with MBC Smashers over 9gr Unique, 13gr Herco, and 23gr H-110. These are all 100yd 3 shot groups. I know 5 is the standard. But really only the first round is needed. The gun however doesn't seem to like 300gr XTP's that much. But I've a few more powders to try before I rule out 300's.

For a carbine size rifle, it really is fun to take to the woods and isn't bad to pack all day. Plus, 10 rounds of 44 mag is pretty serious firepower inside of 125 yards.

**Disclaimer: Don't use or trust the loads I listed without first cross referencing them from a manual.

Is there any other particular 300 grain bullet ( or heavy in general) that you would specifically recommend or condemn?

Click to expand...

The Gold Dot shot so well, I never tried anything but the 300gr XTP and it did well. Just not the tackdriver the 270gr Gold Dot was. The 240gr Gold Dots also do very well. I don't care for the XTP anyway.

Had one built in the early 80's Regardless of what type of ammo I was using, I couldn't keep all the rounds on a paper plate at 100 yards. Sold it.

My 1971 vintage 1894 .44 mag was very accurate with 240 semi-jacketed soft points and hollow points at 100 yards. It was hunting rifle so I never shot it for groups...only to sight it in (both with and without a scope). It always hit where I was aiming.