I am buying a Marlin 1894 SS in 44mag and I know the twist rate 1/38 is more compatible with lighter bullet weights. What is the upper limit on this as far as bullet weight goes, before a noticable decrease in accuracy and stability? I am buying this as a mate to my Ruger SBH SS and looed at other manufacturers but this is the only stainless model I could find that is not cheap junk.
44 magnum lever guns question
- Thread starter mnhntr
- Start date
- Status
clem
Member
Go to;
marlinowners.com
The guys & girls there, know a lot and will answer your question.
marlinowners.com
The guys & girls there, know a lot and will answer your question.
wnycollector
Member
This is from BuffaloBore's website:
"What do we mean above by "modified" Marlin? Marlin (for an unknown, not well thought out reason) is using a very slow rate of twist (1/38 inches) on their 1894 chambered in 44 mag. Because of this slow rate of twist, the heaviest bullet that the factory Marlin will stabilize is about 270grs. Other firearm makers that chamber for the 44 mag all use a much faster rate of twist so that their guns will stabilize and therefore accurately shoot bullets over 300grs. Many folks today want their 44 magnums to be able to utilize the heavy 300gr. and heavier bullets - Marlin has not figured this out. If you want decent accuracy out of our new +p+ load in a Marlin, it will need to be re-barreled with a twist rate of roughly 1/20 inch. I have Dave Clay re-barrel all my Marlin 1894's with a faster twist barrel. A 44 magnum that wont accurately shoot 300gr. or heavier bullets is useless to me. Call him at 817-783-6099 for pricing."
"What do we mean above by "modified" Marlin? Marlin (for an unknown, not well thought out reason) is using a very slow rate of twist (1/38 inches) on their 1894 chambered in 44 mag. Because of this slow rate of twist, the heaviest bullet that the factory Marlin will stabilize is about 270grs. Other firearm makers that chamber for the 44 mag all use a much faster rate of twist so that their guns will stabilize and therefore accurately shoot bullets over 300grs. Many folks today want their 44 magnums to be able to utilize the heavy 300gr. and heavier bullets - Marlin has not figured this out. If you want decent accuracy out of our new +p+ load in a Marlin, it will need to be re-barreled with a twist rate of roughly 1/20 inch. I have Dave Clay re-barrel all my Marlin 1894's with a faster twist barrel. A 44 magnum that wont accurately shoot 300gr. or heavier bullets is useless to me. Call him at 817-783-6099 for pricing."
ironhead7544
Member
The 36/38 twist was for the 200 grain 44 WCF. I read somewhere that the reason for the slow twist was that it would make the bullet more accurate at long range. That bullet type loaded to 1400 fps was very accurate in my 24 inch Marlin Cowboy 44 Mag. With a 24x scope it would shoot nearly one hole groups at 50 yards. The 300 grain bullets grouped OK at 50 yards but keyholed at 100 badly. The Hornady 265 gr bullet was designed for the 38 inch twist and it is accurate in the Marlins, including the 444. I have used the 265 grain cast bullets also with good results in the Marlins. If you really want to use the heavy bullets then a re-barrel would be the way to go with the Marlin. I would just use the 265/270 grain bullets. Leadhead has a nice cast 265 gr FPGC. The Ruger 77/44 has a 20 inch twist and the one I had was accurate with the 300 gr bullets that would fit in the mag. It is limited to standard length. Just my .02.
CraigC
Sixgun Nut
300gr is about the limit. Mine love 270gr Gold Dots but also shoot the 300gr XTP well.
rcmodel
Member in memoriam
+1
I have had decent 50-75 yard accuracy with 300 grain Nosler SP's in my 1894P.
Anything heavier then 300 grains would take away so much case capacity you can't get much velocity out of them.
The fact is the heavy bullets in a .44 Mag have such a poor trajectery that 100 yard accuracy is almost a non-issue as long as they hit going the right direction.
I have pretty much retracted my horns and settled on 240 grain for all-around use anyway.
rc
I have had decent 50-75 yard accuracy with 300 grain Nosler SP's in my 1894P.
Anything heavier then 300 grains would take away so much case capacity you can't get much velocity out of them.
The fact is the heavy bullets in a .44 Mag have such a poor trajectery that 100 yard accuracy is almost a non-issue as long as they hit going the right direction.
I have pretty much retracted my horns and settled on 240 grain for all-around use anyway.
rc
ECVMatt
Member
- Joined
- Jan 7, 2004
- Messages
- 2,873
I am with Craig and RC on this one...I tend to stick with the 240 to 270 grain bullets in the .44 Mag rifle. If I need heavier bullets, then I move up to my .45-70. I have had really good results on swine with the 240 XTP at ranges less than 75 yards. At this point I see no need to switch. To each his own though; I am glad to see there is an option for the folks that like to shoot the heavy stuff our of their rifles.
CraigC
Sixgun Nut
I still would like Marlin or some other major manufacturer to introduce a .44 levergun with a faster rate of twist. Something around 1-20" or 1-24". This would stabilize everything right up to the heavy duty 355's.
Careful with bullet seating or they won't chamber in your Marlin. Had issues with handloaded 300gr XTP's, never had a hang up with factory ammo though.
CaliCoastie
Member
- Joined
- Jun 24, 2010
- Messages
- 497
all i have found is the receomendation of 240grs for the majority of marlins. but every gun is different. if you hand load tive different things a try, i have heard of people shooting 300+ and being good with it. im shooting 240 and i have about a 1.5in group at 50yds with 240xtp with peep sights im just trying to finish dialing in. good luck with your choice, hate to steer you away from marlin but have you checked out winchester, rossi, and uberti? and not just new there are alot of good used guns out there for a good price.
- Status
