marlin 1894 .44 mag rounds?

[hipoint]

Hey guys, just traded up into an original 1894 marlin .44 build code said it's a 1979 model so I guess I got a good one. Cosmetically it leaves a little to be desired but it isn't terrible, the fella really wanted my Circuit Judge in .45 colt/.410 so I think I came out pretty good.

anyhow, I was wondering how hot of a load these things can shoot without being detrimental to the gun. I really don't know much about these but it's kinda growing on me, I got it with the intention of trading it off again but may end up keeping it. Any suggestions as far as how heavy/fast I can go with this thing?

 

[rcmodel]

All .44 mag commercial ammo is loaded to, and published reloading data will not exceed the SAAMI max pressure of 35,000 PSI or less.

The Marlins 1/38" rifling twist & action length precludes using bullets heavier then 300 grains.

So, if it says .44 Mag on it, and uncle Bubba didn't load it for you with 450 grain bullets and a case full Bullseye powder, it is perfectly safe in your Marlin.

rc

 

[hipoint]

thanks RC, I've grown to trust your opinions and posts. I'm new to the levergun world, but I kinda like this critter.

Any suggestions for the flattest shooting commercially available rounds for it? I'm sure this post is beating a dead horse...

 

[hipoint]

something else I'm confused about is whether or not this thing will shoot .44 special rounds... It's not labeled on the barrel for it.

 

[Salmoneye]

It will indeed shoot .44 special rounds, but may be finicky about cycling them through the action...

Some are, some aren't...

I have a later 1894S that will cycle .44 special fine...

If yours WILL cycle, and you get in the habit of firing .44 Specials, I would clean the chamber well after each outing...

I have been 'told' that firing a lot of .44 Specials in the longer chamber 'may' allow carbon and lead to build up to the point where thereafter firing .44 Magnum loads can create some higher pressures than normal...

As I said, this is what I have been 'told', so take it for what it cost ya...

I am betting that you will enjoy that 1894 a lot more than you would have that Judge...

 

[hipoint]

@ salmon...

thanks, I wasn't really clear on that, I knew the newer ones did, but wasn't sure about the 'vintage' ones. Good advice on cleaning out the seat area, I bet that probably would cause some issues.

and yes, you're right, I already like it more than the judge... It was a great concept and I think it can be done, just not by rossi. The shotgun patterning was abysmal (you couldn't aim straight on because of the 'donut' pattern) and the rifle couldn't be trusted past 75 yards. I would think I had it dialed in after dropping lots of cash on different ammo, then one shot would go way off... tried only using certain cylinders all to no avail. It did rather well at 50 yards, but so does my .22 I think the way to go with that is an over and under rifle shotgun combo, not an all in one deal. I guess I was wanting more out of it than it was designed for.

 

[hogshead]

What RC said . By the way you made a great trade. You might want to try the Hornady Leverloution for flat trajectory, but its still gonna lob the bullet over about 150 yds.

 

[hipoint]

the longest shot I'll be making is about 125 yards. I own a blueberry farm and the deer have been really decimating my young plants, so I got a depredation permit from the game wardens. I mainly use my .22 out there as I'm a crack shot with it and noise is a big concern, but over 50 yards is really asking too much out of my .22 lr.

btw, I never lost a deer with the .22 until recently when I shot one with the new CCI segmented rounds. I can say for sure, don't use those! and, yes it is legal in this state to use a .22 lr for deer, just not a great choice.

anyone got some info for using subsonic .44 in these and if it's capable of 125 yard kills?

 

[hogshead]

Where to you shoot them with the 22.

 

[hipoint]

either behind the ear or between the eyes. I know all ethical arguments, and they are valid, but these things are eating my retirement and I can't use something loud as it'll get the neighbors upset. They are good neighbors, so I don't want to be out there with the .30-06 at 3 a.m. on a weeknight waking them up...

incidentally, the only one that's ever taken a step was the one that got away when I used the segmented CCI rounds. I've certainly taken over a dozen now out of the field with the .22 but I would like to find something similar in noise yet a little heavier hitting, hence the question about the sub sonic .44 rounds and the purchase of the Circuit Judge in .45 colt in the first place.

 

[hogshead]

I was just wondering I have a friend who shoots them in the neck with Stingers said he has never lost one. He has had to finish off a few but they never ran.
I have never tried subsonic loads but I can tell you the 44 is a loud gun.

 

[hipoint]

I know the .45 colt was relatively quiet out of a rifle barrel. I'd expect a subsonic .44 would be similar in sound. Late at night a .22 has got a pretty good report to it so I hold no illusions as to having something commercially available yet quiet but the .45 colt was definitely acceptable.

I'd like to get setup to load my own 300 whisper rounds, sounds like that's exactly what I need, and who knows, I may end up doing so eventually.

 

[rcmodel]

.44 Special in a rifle will be way better then .44 Mag in a rifle.

rc

 

[PapaG]

My 94/44mag won't feed standard 44 specials...too short. I now use the 250 grain Keith bullet crimped in the crimp groove and it usually feeds (in specials).

I'm going to exclusively mag cases. Getting tired of pulling the lever/bolt/ejector to clear the jams.

 

[Dr.Rob]

Rather than try 44 specials at a premium price I would try some 44 mag 'cowboy' loads from Ultramax or Black Hills.

 

[jeepnik]

Garrett makes some pretty stout stuff that while the 1894 will handle the pressure, have a COL that's too long.

On the other hand, Buffalo Bore makes some stout stuff that will function. But, their website will tell you that the "heavy +p" rounds won't properly stabilize in the barrel due to twist rate issues. However, they do have one the "Deer Grenade" that will stabilize.

All that being said, if you stick with factory normal pressure round, with bullets that are only slightly heavy for caliber, you shouldn't have any problems.

In this situation, reloading is your friend.

 

[Dr.Rob]

I can say from experience that Marlins are finicky about overall cartridge length. I have several revolver loads for Ruger super blackhwak that won't feed in my Marlin.

 

[Slamfire]

I was unhappy with the microgroove barrel on my 1981 vintage Marlin, so I sent it to Marlin in 2001. This is whom I talked with and the phone numbers I used.

Tim Mooney
North Haven CT 06473
800-544-8892
203-985-3298

It only cost $130.00 to have it rebarreled with a 20" round ballard barrel.

While the Ballard barrel shoots cast lead better than the microgroove, you are still limited to 240's because of the slow twist. Marlin should change to a faster twist and something with deeper grooves.

These are full powder loads and wack the heck out of my gong target at 100 yards.

I had to put a rubber recoil pad on my 1894 because the recoil was too stiff with the hard plastic buttplate. I left the tacky white spacer.

[SIZE="3"]M1894 Marlin Ballard Barrel
				
				
240 Speer JHP 22.0 grs 2400 CCI 500	
21-Dec-01	T = 54  °F			
				
Ave Vel =1747			
Std Dev =21			
ES =68			
Low =1717			
High =1785			
N =7			
				
240 Nosler JHP 24.0 grs W296 WLP Fed cases
23-Mar-05	T = 65° F			
				
Ave Vel =1725			
Std Dev =7			
ES =21			
Low =1715		
High =1736			
N =5		 	 
				
				
240 Nosler JHP 24.5 grs W296 WLP Fed cases
23-Mar-05T = 65° F			
Ave Vel =1752			
Std Dev =12			
ES =28		
Low =1735			
High =1763			
N =5		 	 
				
				
240 Nosler JHP 24.0 grs H110 WLP Midway cases
23-Mar-05 T = 65° F			
				
Ave Vel =1710			
Std Dev =3		
ES =9			
Low =1705			
High =1714			
N =5		 	 
				

				
240 Nosler JHP 24.5 grs H110 WLP Midway cases
23-Mar-05 T = 65° F			
				
Ave Vel =1745			
Std Dev =12			
ES =45			
Low =1723			
High =1768			
N =10			
				
				
240 Rem JHP 24.0 grs H110 WLP Midway cases
23-Mar-05	T = 65° F			
			
Ave Vel =1719			
Std Dev =10			
ES =29		
Low =1705			
High =1734			
N =10		[/SIZE]

 

[jimmyraythomason]

My (1971 made) 1894 was deadly accurate with both Remington and Winchester 240 grn JSP and JHP ammo. Loading had to be done with a "snap" of the lever. If you tried to "ease" it closed,it would hand up. I tried 240 grn SWC ammo but it would hang up and shave bits of lead from the bullet which further bound up the action.

 

[Sheepdog1968]

Noise is a legit concer. Does your state allow supressors on weapons and could you do that for depredation? Grizzly custom guns could put a thread on the end of the barrel for you.

 

[CraigC]

You are NOT limited to 240's. The 1-38" twist will stabilize bullets up to 300gr just fine.

 

[rcmodel]

+1

My 1894P handles 300 JSP Noslers fine, as far as I can hit anything with a .44 Mag Guide Gun.

rc

 

[Salmoneye]

I left the tacky white spacer.

Tacky?

Philistine!

 

[OregonJohnny]

I have a circa-2010 production 1894 .44 that I bought brand new. I love it, and I'm sure you'll love yours too. However, in order to love it, I had to "adjust" a few things.

I replaced the factory sights with XS ghost ring sights. These are a HUGE improvement over stock, IMO. Also, mine had deep checkering, ugly orange-tint wood stocks, and the front stock was way too wide. I ended up carefully sanding off all the checkering, removing about 1/4" of thickness all the way around the front stock, and then refinishing both stocks with 3 coats of oil. It looks 10 times better now; dark, smooth, and dull, like a well-used old Winchester. I'm sure your older model has much better wood than mine came with.

Mine shoots all jacketed bullets very well, from 180-300 grains. It will not, under any circumstances, feed LSWC bullets. I haven't tried .44 Specials through it, as I see no need when I can load powder puff loads in Magnum cases. My favorite full power load is 24.0 grains of 296 under a 240-grain XTP, which averages about 1,760 f/s. from my gun. It is an accurate load, and punches big wide gaping holes through 1/16" thick steel plates at about 150 yards. And it will do it 10 times in a row, as fast as you can work the lever. It's my "Cowboy Assault Rifle".

 

[Dr T]

I also have a 1894 44 mag with a microgroove barrel that does not like cast bullets one little bit. I believe that it would be hard pressed to hit a barn if I was standing inside it.

SO, I just shoot jacketed bullets in it.