Marlin 1894 in .44 mag questions.

[anthony-white]

Just picked one up today, wondering what has worked for you guys as far as ammo in mag and special. Any info you could give me would be greatly appreciated. Here it is:

 

[Werewolf]

240gr JSP works well for a variety of uses. Until I started reloading I preferred PMC's load for that particular bullet type.

Now I just load my own. A 1400 FPS 240gr JSP load is an easy load to shoot and pretty accurate out to 100 yards or so. I've not loaded any hotter than that though I imagine you could probably push a 240gr gas checked lead bullet out of that rifle at 1800 FPS pretty easily. I've never tried any of the heavier bullets in .44Mag (like 300gr) so can't be any help there.

 

[anthony-white]

thanks for the info sir! anyone else?

 

[JustsayMo]

Speer makes a dandy 240gr FSP in 44 caliber that feeds well, is accurate and performs well on game. I had the best luck in my 1894 using Alliant's MAX charge of 2400.

I also had good luck with 240 gr. Cast RNFP bullets sized .431" . 2400 worked well for those bullets too. It didn't like SWC though.

My second choice for powder is IMR 4227. Good accuracy and velocity.

H110 & W296 put up some impressive velocity numbers but I never managed the kind of accuracy I wanted.

I played around with lighter bullets, got some impressive velocity but accuracy never matched the 240 gr.

Great rifles. If you hunt don't use hollow points. Use the Speer bullet soft point or a Cast bullet with a nice wide meplat, If you connect on game the performance will make it hard to go back to those skinny bullet guns. A levergun is about the easiest packin' rifle there is too.

 

[byf43]

I'm a fan of Alliant (Hercules) 2400.

My old 1894S shot really well with 19.5 grains of 2400 and a Hornady 240 gr. JHP.

50 yd groups were fantastic. (I never shot that load any farther out.)
I carried this rifle/load combination on a boar hunt.
I wound up using my DW 44VH-4 with the same load to anchor my 265 lb. boar with one shot to the neck.

My 1894S had the 'Microgroove' rifling.

 

[anthony-white]

Good info guys, much appreciated.

 

[trueblue1776]

Nice gun! that shadow almost makes it look like there is a scope on your lever gun, how weird would that be?

 

[hamourkiller]

killed my first deer with a 44 in 1968, been shooting them ever since.
Best factory load has worked out to be Remington 240 gr JHPT. Very deep hollow point and expands to about .72 to .74 caliber. Velocity out of my 44 rifles is 1750 to 1800 fps. (Ruger semi and Marlin 1894)

Next best Factory load is either Remington or Winchester 240 gr JSPT. The Winchester 240 gr HPT rates as a soft point as the hollow point is pin sized. The JSP give better penetration and work better on big hogs (300+ LBS), deer go down quick, but not as quick as the Rem. HPT. Speed is the same as the HPT.

Any max load of 2400 or H-110 with any manufactuers 240gr JSP ot JHPT will work. I have at times found Remington bulk 240gr HPTS and bought them in 1000 lots. This seems to be the cheapest route to go.

Keep within the range of the rifle and it will put what ever you shoot down.

If you want around the house varmit loads that are quiet, use 44 mag brass not 44 special, they can cause a deposit ring in your chamber causing feed issues. A mid range load of unique will fill the bill with out much muzzle blast. Try to find the mid range load that hits close to your heavy hunting loads and use a visually diferent bullet so you can tell at a glance which is which.

Above all enjoy your new rifle.

Here is a photo of that first deer

 

[Ranger J]

About the only thing my 1894 will shoot well is a Hornady XTP (any weight)pushed by a heavy load of H110.
RJ