Marlin 1894 SS .44 Mag

[glockman19]

I just bought a Marlin 1894 SS .44 Mag. Dark Walnut Stock. What can you tell me about this Rifle? Did I make a good choice for my first lever action? $550 did I get a good price for a NIB rifle?
Also...What ammo to buy? What brand? What grain? Should I get .44mag or .44 special?

 

[Cosmoline]

Excellent choice. The price is a little high, but local supply and demand play a part there. It's OK for NIB. The rifle should be fine with any standard weight magnum loads, though some carbines have had problems with special and others with the very heavy magnum hardcast loads, due to length issues. The only way to tell is to feed a variety in your carbine to see what works. Also, I believe the Marlin's twist rate is still set for rather short bullets, so some of the 300+ grainers may not be as accurate. But it's all relative. You'll still be hitting a lot further out than a handgun.

 

[glockman19]

My local dealers were all $100-$200 higher than what I got it for, One $900 One $913, the third $787 and he didn't even have it in stock for 4-6 weeks so I got the best price I could.
I'm guessing that 180 - 275 grain would be OK. I'm looking at Remington, Speer Gold Dot and Winchester in 240 grain.

Also looking @ .44 Special in 200 grain from the same Manufacturers...a little less expensive.

 

[bullockcm]

Glockman, I say good choice, I just bought one 2 weeks ago after thinking about it for a year, I wish I hadn't waited. I am enjoying it alot! I paid $541 plus tax, when I started looking a year ago the same place had them for $514. None of the other local places could order one either, all said their distributers were out.

So far I have shot Remington 180gr, MagTech 240gr, and Winchester White Box 240gr. All have grouped well, around 1.25" - 1.5" at 50 yards although the Remingtons where 5" high compared to the 240gr rounds. I loaded up what should be some fairly mild 200gr Hornaday HP/XTP but haven't had the oppurtunity to try them yet. If you are staying with the factory sights I would go with the 240gr to start with, I would not of had enough elevation adjustment to make the 180gr bullets shoot to my desired POA.

Good luck and have fun with your new carbine.

 

[Ranger J]

The Marlin 44mag barrels seem to not only have a slow twist but also to be oversize and can be picky with what they shoot. I reload so I have had the 'luxury' of trying several different loads and bullets on it. Mine will shoot Hornady bullets, 180, 240, and 300 gr. well with a full load of H 110. It will also shoot Laser-cast hard cast bullets 189 & 240 gr. with a light load of AA#2. Both of these bullets are 'oversize'. It all depends on what you want to use the rifle for. I really wanted mine to shoot cheaper lead bullets at paper with just the slight chance I would take it deer hunting. It is not nearly as accurate as my Ruger Deerfield, which requires heavy loaded-jacketed bullets but has a much faster twist barrel. You may have to shoot a few different loads through it before you find one that you like but it should be OK.

RJ

 

[Essex County]

I purchased mine used so I cant comment on the price. You will like it, its a wonderful carbine. Essex

 

[rdaines]

Still waiting for Marlin to make some more 444 Marlin, if I didn't already own a .41 I would have gotten a .44.

 

[Mannlicher]

the 1894 is a great little carbine. I like the Speer 270 grain GDSP. The factory load is fine, but I like my handloads better. Exellent accuracy, and deadly on whitetails.

 

[JustsayMo]

240gr worked best in mine. I liked the Speer soft points for hunting. They can be a little finicky about what they cycle, but mine wasn't too picky about brand or load. Great guns.

 

[jkingrph]

I bought a .44, but their Cowboy model about 10 years ago. I like longer barrels. Installed a Marbles tang sight and find that that there is really nothing that I have put through it shoots bad. I have several in the Cowboy series, all larger calibers, but it is the most fun, especially for a long day at the range..

 

[Shipwreck]

Those are nice guns!

 

[Jspy]

I don't mean to hi-jack this thread, but how much of an increase in velocity and power can you expect out of the 44Mag when shooting out of a rifle as compared to a 6-8 inch barrelled pistol? What would be the expected maximum range for deer size game? Also, is there a better alternative for a pistol round caliber for such purpose, and if so what rifle might be available? I am asking only because my home state has just allowed the use of rifles for deer hunting, but only in pistol calibers basically from 357 Mag up to 500 SW. I am trying to decide if there is any real advantage over a shotgun.

 

[JustsayMo]

You can expect a 200-400 fps gain in velocity.

The handiness of the lever would make it an easy choice for me over shotgun. The rifles are capable of very good accuracy and the only realistic limitation is the skill of the shooter.

My preference is for 44 & 45 calibers though 357 will do a good job too.

 

[rdaines]

Check out the Sierra reloading manual, you can see that with the same weight bullet you can easily get an additional 300 fps and maybe more when using rifle loads. For me the choices would be .357, .41 and .44. Sinice I already have the first two I'm set but if buying new I'd get the .44 mag Marlin.

 

[glockman19]

Well here it is:

 

[Big Daddy K]

Nice

Saw one at Gander last night. I think they wanted somethin between $550.00-$600.00. Definatly not over 6. Anyway nice lever gun. Fit well and I love a 44.

 

[Mannlicher]

Jspy

I don't mean to hi-jack this thread, but how much of an increase in velocity and power can you expect out of the 44Mag when shooting out of a rifle as compared to a 6-8 inch barrelled pistol? What would be the expected maximum range for deer size game?

My handloads with the Speer 270 GDSP and H110 powder give me 1540 fps from my Marlin 1894. In my 6 inch Smith Model 29, its a handful, and shows about 1100fps.

So far as accuracy goes with the Marlin, at 50 yards it will cut cloverleafs in the target. At 100 yards, the shots stay within 1 1/2 inches, and at 150 yards I am still shooting right at two inch groups.

I use a Weaver V4.5 scope, using Weaver rings and mount.

 

[Ranger J]

I had mind out at the range this weekend. At fifty yards my 180 Gr. Laser cast with a light load of AA#2 were about 1 1/2 inches while the 240Gr Laser cast were all over the place. On the other hand my H 110 loaded 180 Hornadys shot a five round ragged hole. My gun shows a definite preference for heavy loads under all bullets. It may be a case of the heavy load compressing the bullet to better engage the rifling.
.

RJ