What is the Heaviest .44mag Bullet Usable in a Marlin Micro Groove Barrel?

[Kestrel]

What is the heaviest .44 magnum bullet that can be used in an older Marlin .44, with a Micro-Groove barrel?

Thanks.

 

[Cosmoline]

Good question! I've been wanting to know the same thing re. the older .357 Marlins. Does that rifling stabilize the big 200 grain hardcast slugs?

 

[Cpl Punishment]

The 300-gr slugs can be hit and miss, you can't drive them too fast.

The 270-gr Gold Dot SP is about the heaviest I can get consistant results with.

 

[Mannlicher]

my experience matches cpl punishsment's. I had spotty accuracy with the 300 grain Speer, but I get consistant, exellent results with the Speer 270 grain GDSP. My rifle is an 1894S, with a 20" MicroGroove barrel.

 

[Kestrel]

Thanks for the info. Is it okay to shoot lead bullets through a Micro-Groove barrel? (Like hard-cast.)

 

[yesterdaysyouth]

i never had any problems with lead in mine...

 

[Cpl Punishment]

Thanks for the info. Is it okay to shoot lead bullets through a Micro-Groove barrel? (Like hard-cast.)

Yes, but I'd stick to the 240-grainers and don't drive them too hard. You'll have to experiment with your rifle to see what your barrel will shoot well.