what ammo is best? (Marlin 1894 SS .44 mag. lever action)

[hyrumsmith]

ok. so im looking at a Marlin 1894 SS .44 mag. lever action. assuming i get one, or one similar to it, what kind of ammo would be best for target practice, hunting, self-defense, etc.? thanks!

 

[flipajig]

Just about any factory ammo will work. your gun will tell you witch one it likes. If you reload it will oppen more options for you.

 

[sheepdog]

...all factory ammo is expensive in .44Mag...I'd use .44Spl Blazer for target practice...but only brass-cased .44Spl for defense...and only 240gr JHP for hunting deer...and 240gr JSP for anything bigger...the beauty of the lever action is that you have many choices....

 

[ilmonster]

Need a bit more info. to answer. Any ammo that feeds can work for target practice - cheaper the better. For hunting, what and where would you be hunting (deer in open fields, hogs, etc.). For self defense where are you using it? In a house with no close neighbors (overpenetration not an issue), in an apartment with thin walls, max distance you'd engage at (across a room, across a yard, etc.), and so on.

 

[Ranger J]

If your 1894 is like mine it may be a little bit picky about what it will shoot accurately. It may have to 'kiss a few frogs before it finds its prince charming'. Mine likes anything with Hornady written on the box. As a lot of 44 1894s have over sized bores the .430 Hornady bullets often shoot more accurately than the smaller .429 bullets that many brands use. Yours may differ so run some different rounds through it and see what it likes.

RJ

 

[Asherdan]

As a lot of 44 1894s have over sized bores the .430 Hornady bullets often shoot more accurately than the smaller .429 bullets that many brands use.

In reloading I've found this to work as well, in mine.

For hunting I'd favor the Hornady 240g XTP or a standard SJSP of a brand that shoots well in your rifle. The Winchester 'USA' white box 240g SJSP shoots well for me and has taken deer and pig just fine.

For the HD? More info needed, but I'd lean towards my hunting load.

 

[dagger dog]

If you are planning to hunt use the Hornady LeverEvolution ammo, you gain the use of a pointed bullet in the tube magazine, this gives the ability to take those longer shots, up to and over 150 yrds if they present themselves, and have that 2nd or 3rd shot if need be.

It may be a little expensive for plinking though! But the bullets are available for reloading, buy a Lee Loader and craft your own! Good time to start the new hobby.

 

[MichaelK]

I load two rounds for my Marlin rifle. I load Remington's 240 grain hollowpoint for deer hunting with H110. Used it this load to take a deer and got excelent results. One hundred percent penetration and a buck that didn't go 25 feet.

I also cast a lead bullet with Lyman's 429421 bullet mold. A 245 grain SWC I cast in Lyman #2 alloy and load with Blue Dot. This is my plinking load that I use in my revolver also.

Neither has any feeding problems in my individual rifle.

 

[devildog66]

The Marlin rifles have relatively slow twist; Marlin is using 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. Most will not shoot the 300 gr (+) accurately. You will have to experiment with the 240 and 270 grain loads and I would also try the leverevolution 225 grain load. BTW, the 44 spl loads I have found are usually MORE expensive than 44M; not sure why except they are not as commonly found. Walmart has the Winchester white box 44M for about 30 per 50. My two favorite loads for my 29 are the Speer Gold Dot 240 gr loads and the Hornady XTP 240 grain loads. Good luck!