Marlin 1894 44 mag

[jack19512]

I have 2 cast boolits that I use in my Marlin 1894 44 mag, the Lee 240 gr. SWC and the Lee 310 gr. RF but neither will feed well. Am I doing something wrong or do I need to purchase another type boolit mold? I should add the two boolits shoot well they just won't feed without problems. Thanks

[crabo]

I would think the Lee 310 would feed if it was loaded in .44 Special cases. It is very much like an LBT design which usually won't feed in a magnum case because of the front driving band and the TAN nose design.

Go to Mountain Molds and look at their article on ABCs of Ogives and it might help you understand boolit design a little better.

http://mountainmolds.com/

[leadeye]

I am hunting this year with the RD 265 which gives no problem feeding in my 1894. Have shot the Lee 240 TL swc some before but not without some hangups in feeding. Picked up a RD 265 six banger this fall and I think it will be my go to bullet for this rifle. Have heard good things about the Lee 310 and may try some in the future.

[eka]

For firearms season this year I going to use my Marlin 1894 44 Mag. exclusively. No long shots to be had anyway where I hunt. I use the RCBS 240 gr. SWC. I cycle the rifle like I mean it to get positive feeding. I'm not able to ease one out of the tube and into the chamber. I wish it fed this boolit a little slicker myself, but I have no complaints at all in the accuracy dept.

Keith

[longbow]

I don't have that mould but have had much trouble with the Lyman 429421. It doesn't feed when seated to the crimp groove because it is over length (well, it feeds but poorly). I had decided to do the carrier mod to allow longer OAL but decided against it after seating the boolit to the front driving band to meet correct OAL. Then it would jam on the shoulder.

In short, I don't like the SWC. Doesn't feed well at all in my gun and gives poor accuracy. An RNFP feeds well and gives me good accuracy. I am going to play with what I have for a bit longer but I think the RanchDog 265 gr. will be getting the nod.

Also, I have gotten very poor accuracy past 50 yards with the heavier boolits I have tried at much over 265 gr. in the 1:38 twist. I got good groups at 50 yards with 300 gr. cast TC but it started to lose stability at 75 yards and was often sideways at 100 yards. This is likely a combination of boolit design and slow twist as others have been successful at longer ranges with heavy boolits.

[EDK]

Go over to lasc site and look up Glenn Fryxell's articles...especially the one on MARLIN 1894s and loads. GLENN IS THE MAN ON CAST BOOLITS!

You're a little late for MMA's group buy on a 44 KEITH...that he said fed well in his 44 MARLIN...nose is like RCBS 250 KT. I've been using the RANCH DOG TLC 432 265 and will buy his mould for the 300 in the future. I didn't have much luck with the LBT 433 300 I bought and haven't done much with the LYMAN 429649 yet. Too many irons in the fire!

LYMAN 429244, 429215 and 429667 all have worked for me in my Cowboy rifles.

Catshooter has a group buy that may interest you....about 225 grains IIRC.

:castmine::redneck::Fire:

[jack19512]

Go over to lasc site and look up Glenn Fryxell's articles...especially the one on MARLIN 1894s and loads.






Thanks for all of the replies. Can you tell me what is lasc site?

[MakeMineA10mm]

Go over to lasc site and look up Glenn Fryxell's articles...especially the one on MARLIN 1894s and loads. GLENN IS THE MAN ON CAST BOOLITS!

You're a little late for MMA's group buy on a 44 KEITH...that he said fed well in his 44 MARLIN...nose is like RCBS 250 KT. I've been using the RANCH DOG TLC 432 265 and will buy his mould for the 300 in the future. I didn't have much luck with the LBT 433 300 I bought and haven't done much with the LYMAN 429649 yet. Too many irons in the fire!

LYMAN 429244, 429215 and 429667 all have worked for me in my Cowboy rifles.

Catshooter has a group buy that may interest you....about 225 grains IIRC.

:castmine::redneck::Fire:

My Marlin is an early stainless 1894SS, probably 6-8 years old now, maybe more? I had heard all the problems with sharp-shouldered boolits not feeding, and had always stuck with RNFP cowboy boolits for loading it, but GLL sent me a couple dozen of his RCBS 44-250KT, and they fed and shot very well. Rarely a stutter.

Now, since then, I've gotten an older Winchester 94 Trapper, and it won't feed SWCs at all. Tried three different styles and weights. No joy... Sticking with the cowboy boolits for that one.

I'm getting one of Cat's 225gr RNFPs. It looks like a very good boolit, will save alloy, give moderately low recoil, and feed in everything. My main reason for jumping on it is that my current 210gr RNFP is a Big Lube boolit for black powder, and I'd like a smokeless boolit that is similar. Check it out in the Group Buy forum.

[dgslyr]

I've been using RCBS 245 SWC.They feed good and shoot about 2 inches at 100 with 9 grs. of Unique at about 1250 fps and don't knock the half size chickens 10 yards over the berm in Lever action pistol catridge silhouette.

[crabo]

http://www.lasc.us/FryxellMarlin1894.htm

[cowboy]

Howdy- Just a thought, as I have one of these rifles that is rough as a bad gravel road to operate ( has been back to Marlin; service leaves something to be desired.). Is your rifle smooth to operate, without ammo?

[jack19512]

Is your rifle smooth to operate, without ammo?







There's nothing wrong with the rifle. It just doesn't like my cast boolits. Loads fine with jacketed bullets. :)

[MakeMineA10mm]

Howdy- Just a thought, as I have one of these rifles that is rough as a bad gravel road to operate ( has been back to Marlin; service leaves something to be desired.). Is your rifle smooth to operate, without ammo?

Well, I hate sounding like a former President who I disdain, but it depends on what your definition of "smooth" is... In my opinion, my Marlin 1894 is very smooth to operate with or without ammo in it. BUT, it is NO WHERE NEAR as smooth to operate as Marlin's round-bolt rifle-size lever-actions (like the 336 or 444). THOSE feeling like two pieces of oiled glass sliding along one another while operating the lever. Compared to that action EVERY other lever action in the world feels rough... I have a couple Winchester 94s as well, and they have little hitches and very mild rough spots as I cycle them too, just like the Marlin 94s. I think the ONLY lever action that is real smooth to operate right out of the box is the round-bolt Marlins. (Qualifying statement - I've never operated the Winchester 88 or the Savage 99. I've heard they're smooth too.) If your Marlin has not been cycled a lot (whether empty or loaded), I'd try watching a few cowboy movies with it (with no ammo even in the same room, obviously) and trying to out-shoot the never-ending-magazines on the screen-cowboy's carbines. After a few weeks of nightly cowboy moving watching, that thing should be smooth as silk! :wink: (I'm assuming there's nothing wrong with it, since it's been back to Marlin and they've given it an A-OK.)

[Scrounger]

I once had a Marlin Cowboy in .45 Colt that was as smooth as glass. It had been given an action job by Cap Coyote. As I am a fool, I sold it, just like the Stainless Rossi in .45 Colt I bought for $300. I never learn....

[Dixie Slugs]

Friends All...Although the Marlin 1894's in 44 Magnuns are great guns, they have always been fincky about feeding hard cast loads.
Some time back, John Anderson and I, designed a bullet that will give 100% feeding in the 94's.
By doing lathe work, we established the proper location of the crimp grove to nose...and set the ogive to feed. The bullet weighs 265 grs (WW & tin)
I have attached a spec drawing of the bullet for you to use.
Regards, James

[Freightman]

I once had a Marlin Cowboy in .45 Colt that was as smooth as glass. It had been given an action job by Cap Coyote. As I am a fool, I sold it, just like the Stainless Rossi in .45 Colt I bought for $300. I never learn....
I just got a Rossi Puma in 45 Colt and was given notice by my Grand Daughter that it was hers and I had better not trade it off. It is smooth and feeds all that I have fed it so far about 250 rds, and getting better. Didn't get it for $300 as it was NIB but did get it for delevered price of $400.
By the way I will not trade it off because I do what my Grand daughter ask to the best of my ability the same for my Grand son, big o'l softy is what I am.

[richbug]

Mine feeds the Lee 310 reasonably well, maybe 1 round in 10 takes a bit a "jiggle" on the lever to get it to chamber. It seem to have more to do with the speed I cycle it than anything.

[Dixie Slugs]

I suppose it all boils down to what one is using his 44 rifle for. We hunt real wild hogs with ours and can't depend on a load that has to be jiggled or hangs up on the back of the barrel!
Regards, James

[MakeMineA10mm]

I just got a Rossi Puma in 45 Colt and was given notice by my Grand Daughter that it was hers and I had better not trade it off. It is smooth and feeds all that I have fed it so far about 250 rds, and getting better. Didn't get it for $300 as it was NIB but did get it for delevered price of $400.
By the way I will not trade it off because I do what my Grand daughter ask to the best of my ability the same for my Grand son, big o'l softy is what I am.
Freightman - Nothing soft about it! You continue to spoil those grandkids the right way... They'll never forget the love or the hobby that you've given them. Nope, I wouldn't call it soft; I'd call it being a good grandpa!



I suppose it all boils down to what one is using his 44 rifle for. We hunt real wild hogs with ours and can't depend on a load that has to be jiggled or hangs up on the back of the barrel!
Regards, James
In this situation, I'd definitely agree. You must have reliable feeding in those circumstances. That type of hunting is why I love my Boomer-Mikey Group Buy mould copy of the Lyman 429640. 285-290gr RNFP-GC that feeds like butta in all the lever-actions I've tried it in so far - 444 Marlin, included. Thumps 'em hard and feeds perfect, and at a slightly lighter weight than the mega-boolits, so recoil is less and internal pressures lower. GREAT boolit. Wish I'd have bought two of those now..... (Love this thing so much, I had to go find pics of it. Enjoy!)
http://castboolits.gunloads.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=3370&stc=1&thumb=1&d=1173765317

[Dixie Slugs]

That's a good looking bullet indeed! However, I do like 265 gr bullets a little better in the 44 Mag. It's most important that the shooter/hunter trusts his bullet design and it feeds everytime!
What is the neplat on that bullet? The ogive looks like it would feed well....does it feed well in the 94's also?
Regards, James

[jack19512]

Mine feeds the Lee 310 reasonably well, maybe 1 round in 10 takes a bit a "jiggle" on the lever to get it to chamber. It seem to have more to do with the speed I cycle it than anything.








I have noticed this also, but I can't count on trying to cycle a round the same every time especially when deer hunting.

[jack19512]

I suppose it all boils down to what one is using his 44 rifle for. We hunt real wild hogs with ours and can't depend on a load that has to be jiggled or hangs up on the back of the barrel!
Regards, James








Exactly. May not matter that much if punching paper but when hunting it matters.

[jack19512]

It's most important that the shooter/hunter trusts his bullet design and it feeds everytime!








I have a 1895 CB 45/70 and a 1894 CB 44 mag and plan on hunting deer with both some day and if I can't get my cast boolits to feed reliably I guess I will have to start loading jacketed for both although I really wanted to shoot my cast boolits with them.

[Four Fingers of Death]

Well, I hate sounding like a former President who I disdain, but it depends on what your definition of "smooth" is... In my opinion, my Marlin 1894 is very smooth to operate with or without ammo in it. BUT, it is NO WHERE NEAR as smooth to operate as Marlin's round-bolt rifle-size lever-actions (like the 336 or 444). THOSE feeling like two pieces of oiled glass sliding along one another while operating the lever. Compared to that action EVERY other lever action in the world feels rough... I have a couple Winchester 94s as well, and they have little hitches and very mild rough spots as I cycle them too, just like the Marlin 94s. I think the ONLY lever action that is real smooth to operate right out of the box is the round-bolt Marlins. (Qualifying statement - I've never operated the Winchester 88 or the Savage 99. I've heard they're smooth too.) If your Marlin has not been cycled a lot (whether empty or loaded), I'd try watching a few cowboy movies with it (with no ammo even in the same room, obviously) and trying to out-shoot the never-ending-magazines on the screen-cowboy's carbines. After a few weeks of nightly cowboy moving watching, that thing should be smooth as silk! :wink: (I'm assuming there's nothing wrong with it, since it's been back to Marlin and they've given it an A-OK.)

Evil Roy came up with a good idea for dry firing, file a flat on the rim of a snap cap and it will stay in the chamber while you do your stuff. If it doesn't drop out when the barrel is elevated (99 out of 100 times it will), knock it out with a cleaning rod.

[HCL]

Jack;
I got the 310 Lee hoping I could work up a load for my 629 that would work well in my 1894, and I did; however the boolit would not feed worth a darn due to hitting the top of the chamber mouth and hanging up.
A quick trip to the gunsmith and he smoothed the chamber mouth out on the top and the 310, 429640,429421,429244 and other SWCs feed like a charm. He did not remove hardly anything other than smooth out the top so the flat points, and shoulders dont hang up. Kinda like a feed ramp on a 1911, but on the top instead of bottom.
He did not charge hardly anything, dropped it off one day, picked it up the next.
Hope this helps. That 310 Lee out of the 1894 is a real thumper and amazingly accurate if pushed hard...
Mike

[jack19512]

A quick trip to the gunsmith and he smoothed the chamber mouth out on the top and the 310, 429640,429421,429244 and other SWCs feed like a charm.






I watched several times as I would load a round and found this out also. I thought the very same thing because my boolits appear to be hanging up just on the top and if the very top was rounded a little my boolits would probably feed OK. My problem is I don't have a gunsmith local to me to be able to discuss this with. :(

[watkibe]

I have the 1894P "mini guide gun" with the ported barrel. Jacketed bullets always fed OK, but I had trouble with both Lee and Laser Cast cast lead semiwadcutters. I tried the Lee 429-200-RF mold (throws about a 210 grain round nose flat point) and my feeding troubles were over. Seems like the shoulder on the SWC design hangs up somewhere on the bottom as it feeds up into the chamber. The round nose of this new bullet lets it slide right in.

[kingstrider]

I also have the 1894SS and have found it can be finicky about certain types of ammo. I have had good luck using cast Lyman Devastators in it but intend to get the RD mold soon.

[jack19512]

I tried the Lee 429-200-RF mold (throws about a 210 grain round nose flat point) and my feeding troubles were over.







How does this boolit do as far as accuracy? I have the 430-310-RF mold and would have thought this boolit would have fed good but it hangs up some too.

[Lloyd Smale]

thats the bullet of choise in my 44p too. Its the most accurate bullet in that gun and feeds great.For firearms season this year I going to use my Marlin 1894 44 Mag. exclusively. No long shots to be had anyway where I hunt. I use the RCBS 240 gr. SWC. I cycle the rifle like I mean it to get positive feeding. I'm not able to ease one out of the tube and into the chamber. I wish it fed this boolit a little slicker myself, but I have no complaints at all in the accuracy dept.

Keith

[Dixie Slugs]

I hate to keep repeating myself, but we did design a cast bullet for 100% feeding in the Marlin 1894's!
We lathe turned quite a few until we got the nose angle right with the location of the crimp groove.
This bullet has proven very accurate with 24.5 grs of WW296. We have used it on game for three years...both deer and hogs. Also, we size that bullet at .431" for the Marlins.
You are quite welcome to use the design and have a mold cut. It works!
Regards, James

[jack19512]

You are quite welcome to use the design and have a mold cut.







I appreciate the info but wouldn't even know where or how to begin with such a project. Would you care to elaborate?

[Dixie Slugs]

Send the spec sheet to Dan at Mountain Molds. We us his iron molds as production molds and they will stand up to our volume of molding indeed.
Regards, James

[watkibe]

How does this boolit do as far as accuracy? I have the 430-310-RF mold and would have thought this boolit would have fed good but it hangs up some too.
Initial results are encouraging. So far I have only used it at 25 yards with a light load of Unique. Most of a magazine-full went into about 2 inches, with a couple of flyers. I don't see the open sights as well anymore, so I can't say if the flyers are me or the gun/load. I have loaded some up with H110, and will get around to shooting them soon.

[jack19512]

Send the spec sheet to Dan at Mountain Molds. We us his iron molds as production molds and they will stand up to our volume of molding indeed.
Regards, James







I don't know what happened but my e-mail to mountain molds was rejected and sent back. I used the e-mail address that was on their web site. :(

[MakeMineA10mm]

Jack,
You can also get an off-the-shelf mould from Lyman that feeds like butter. It's mould #429640. I got the HP version from Lyman, and I got in on a Group Buy by BoomerMikey for a 6-cav custom Lee version a year or two ago.

These throw about a 285-290gr RNFPGC that are awesome in the 44 Mag. and 444 Marlin. They give you about all that can be gotten out of the 44Mag in a S&W. Heavier boolits have to be loaded down a lot more than these in deference to their slightly more tender construction (compared to a Ruger).

It's my new favorite heavy boolit in the 44 caliber.

[jack19512]

MakeMineA10mm

Thanks for the info. It appears the mold is out of stock. Since it is so cold here and I am not getting to shoot any right now anyway this would be a very good item to put on my XMAS list. :-D