44-40 Marlin

[HEAD0001]

I am considering the purchase of a Marlin 1894 in 44-40 cartridge. I do not have any experience with the 44-40. I am looking for any comments about the rifle and cartridge. I have an 1894 in 44 magnum. I am looking for an upgraded lever action, and I found a beautiful 1894. I am just not sure about the cartridge. Any help would be appreciated. Thank you, Tom.

[AllanD]

well for starters not many were made and they are discontinued.

the 44-40WCF is probably THE quintessential "cowboy" cartridge, far more so than the 45LC "army" cartridge, which historically was never chambered in a lever rifle.

Historically aware CAS shooters who choose to use a Colt style revolver in 45LC
and want to be "authentic" get a colt lightning pump rifle replica, instead of a lever gun.

the thin walled bottlenecked cases require care to reload but the cartridge is very well suited as a plinker, for CAS or close range deer hunting.


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[Harry O]

I have one of the 1990's Marlin 1894 44-40 with microgroove rifling. It has a .44 Magnum barrel (0.430" groove diameter). Fortunately, the chamber is large enough that you can use a 0.431" bullet. It is accurate.

Loading is more difficult than with straight case cartridges, but it can be mastered. I suggest getting Starline BRASS cases. Winchester are very thin. Nickel plated brass cracks a lot. I suggest NOT roll crimping them with the seating die. Just use it for seating and straighting the flare. Use the Lee Factory crimp die instead.

You need to get a bullet that has a crimping groove if you intend to use smokeless powder. The Lyman 427098 does not have a crimping groove. Trail Boss works well in this cartridge, but in the Marlin, you can boost it considerably over published loads. Unique works well.

[76 WARLOCK]

I have a 1894 cowboy limited 44/40, I bought it in 2002 for $500. I really like the 44/40 round it is plenty powerfull and very accurate. I had to buy several Uberti pistols to go with it.

[bobk]

Head0001,
Not sure that I'd shoot it at all, depending upon what it is. There were two recent 44-40's from Marlin that were year-specific. They had the 1994 centennial version, that I passed on, because I thought that casehardening AND engraving looked too busy. However, there was also a 44-40 in 1993. It was a regular 1894 carbine, chambered for 44-40. The serial numbers began with the prefix "4440". I have seen the total number of rifles variously quoted as having been 750, 850, or 1000. It is rare enough that it was not described in the Blue Book, and I have never seen another one.

The main problem with shooting an original 44-40 is that there is difficulty chambering a round with a large enough bullet to fit the rifling. I refuse to ream the case neck portion of the chamber, hence the comment I made previously about casting a mini-heal bullet for the rifle. And, actually, "rifle" is the correct designation. My original is an oddball, in that it has the forend cap, cased receiver, and octagon barrel, but the barrel is only 20 inches. It is one of those oddities produced during the 1920's, when marlin changed hands three times. and collecting Marlins is difficult, because of the way they assigned the serial numbers. Congratulations on your find, though!

Bob K

[HEAD0001]

I have not bought the rifle yet. I was originally looking for a 44 magnum or a 45-70. I have several of both cartridges. What I was looking for was a Marlin lever action with upgraded wood . By upgraded I mean AAA grade. I found one but it is in 44-40. I have no experience with this cartridge. What is holding me back is the fact that I have tons of components for the 44 magnum and the 45-70. And I am not in a hurry. I think I am going to pass on the 44-40. Tom.

[Wayne Smith]

I wouldn't pass. Odds are that you can use your boolits in this, just get new brass. I shoot mine in a Uberti 1873 Short Rifle - 20" barrel. I'm getting 1400fps out of a case full of FFFG and the 200gr MAV bullet - one huge lube groove. I have no problems shooting it, no dirty action, no leaded bore, and clean up is with soapy water. It's a blast to shoot original.

[Harry O]

Head0001,
However, there was also a 44-40 in 1993. It was a regular 1894 carbine, chambered for 44-40. The serial numbers began with the prefix "4440". I have seen the total number of rifles variously quoted as having been 750, 850, or 1000. It is rare enough that it was not described in the Blue Book, and I have never seen another one.

Bob K

That is the one I have. I did not know it was that rare. In any case, it shoots well and I like it. When I first got it, I tried some CAS cartridges in it and got the worst leading I have ever had in a gun. The combination of undersized bullets and 40:1 hardness was to blame, not the microgroove rifling. I later slugged it, sized the bullets to match, and made them a little harder. They shoot great out of this gun.

[bobk]

Harry O,
Mine is NIB. I do shoot my old one, but not often. Carried for deer a couple of days, years back. I did duplicate the old High Velocity loading with about a caseful of RL-7. 1700+ with a 200 commercial cast bullet. 4" groups, just like the 4227 loads, and it shot to the sights.

Bob K