Marlin 1894 barrel question ?

[jjnpg317]

Have a 1979 Marlin 1894 in 44 Magnum . Shot it in the 80's with factory ammo and put it up. Since I started casting boolits, decided to cast for it. Slugged the bore and came out .4315. Did another slug and came out the same.

The problem is this; while driving the first slug I felt resistance at certain areas of the bore I thought odd. It was going good and then it required extra effort to keep moving slug with rod and hammer. The second slug was used and it was discovered that the areas affected were where sights are located and barrel stamping with makers name and caliber are placed.

Do I have a problem with barrel ?

Thanks

[btroj]

That is pretty normal. I would shoot it with .432 bullets and see how it goes. Should leading occur in those areas some firelapping will help remove them.

I bet it doesn't make a difference to the bullet at all.

[Keyston44]

I haven't checked for tight spots in my Marlin, I'm sure I have some. I just size my 44 mag cast bullet to .433.

Key

[jjnpg317]

I have three Lyman molds and the largest will only go to 430. Who makes a 433 mold?

[btroj]

You can search this site for "beagling" a mould, that may well get you bullets the size you need from existing moulds.

Look at NOE or Accurate moulds for bigger diameter stuff. If you are willing to wait Mihec moulds makes some nice stuff too.

[Keyston44]

I have three Lyman molds and the largest will only go to 430. Who makes a 433 mold?

I have a Ranch Dog mold that drops them at 434. Ranch Dog is no longer having molds made. Like btroj said, NOE or Accurate makes mold to fit your needs.

Key

[Gtek]

This is one of the problems with production pieces, need to see the numbers for the bean counters (How fast can we cut this dovetail). Usually the roll stamp is not much of an issue, I have seen many a Marlin with .001" - .002" under rear sight dovetail, and some to a lesser degree under front. Hand lapping maneuver is not recommended for a student pilot, fire lapping is the easiest. I would not recommend "valve compound", start with 400 and up and that will keep you out of trouble. If you are serious about fine tuning to perfection, lap till your happy with results in pipe and then mold/mould hunt. Being an early, should be a 1-38 if I remember right and will probably perform better in the 240-265 club. Keep your eyes out for an old Lyman or Ideal single cav and lap to your hole post happy with barrel. Then you can send mold out for a couple pins for the bottom, oh' it never ends. Welcome to the madness! Gtek

[TCFAN]

My Marlin 44 works OK with .432 but a lot better with .433. Had a mold made by Accurate to drop at .434 cast with COWW..............Terry

[jjnpg317]

Been searching internet and found NOE & Accurate , but also found Hollow Point Mold Service. The company will enlarge driving bands for approximately $60 . Has anyone used HPMS ? The mold is an older (25 years) 2 cavity Lyman 429244 GC which was used in 44 revolver back then. Would like to use this mold because dummy rounds will chamber in Marlin when other 44 molds i have won't. Would enlarging bands have a bad effect?

[TCFAN]

Try beagling that 429244 mold first to see what work in your rifle.If you then like the results send it to Hollow Point and have them enlarge it.I have had Hollow point mold Service make several Lyman single cavity molds into a hollow point and they do good work.........Terry

[Menner]

Never Used him for to modify a mold that I own but ordered and recieved a 40 cal HP mold which a modified Lee 401-175-TC mold that is as slick a mold as I have seen cast a great boolit and Erik it great to deal with five stars for Erik and Hollow Point Bullet Mold

[TCFAN]

No problem in my Marlin Cowboy with the .433 that I size to.........terry

[Gtek]

I think so, it will make you pour a bunch more boolits, shoot a lot more, and use up your powder/primers. HPMS (Erik) is one of the guy's that make the cool pins for the bottom. Gtek

[ReloaderFred]

I had Erik Ohlen work over a Magma mold for me and he did a great job. If he has questions, he'll call you, so be sure to include your phone number if you decide to send him your mold. For the amount of time involved to modify a two cavity mold, his price was more than reasonable.

Hope this helps.

Fred

[Keyston44]

Do you guys that use fat .433" & .434" boolits ever have trouble chambering them in the 1894 Marlin? Or other makes.

I don't have any problems with my Marlin. I also use the 433 bullets in my Ruger Super Blackhawk.

Key

[dubber123]

The tight spots are pretty common, they were really bad in the thin barrel of my 1895 Cowboy. I was delighted with how well firelapping improved that barrel.

[FergusonTO35]

Speaking of 1894 barrels, I was shooting mine yesterday and noticed the front sight appears to be leaning to the left ever so slightly. The sight itself appears to be straight vertically. This carbine, an 1894C, was made in the 70's and otherwise has excellent workmanship. Bought it for $250.00 gently used in 1998. Is this common among lever actions from any maker? The 2003 Winchester 94 I used to have was the same way.