Lyman 429244 in Marlin 1894

[DGV]

I am having a terrible time using a Lyman 429244 in my Marlin 1894. It jams at least once every magazine tube full. It functions 100% with factory ammo. Anyone else try this boolit and have similar issues?

[EDK]

Play with your over all length. Make sure the crimp is heavy enought not to leave a sharp edge to catch as you cycle the rifle. Clean the magazine tube and check the follower for burrs. Go to marlinowners.com for links to rifle tuning sites. Someone suggested beveling the top of the chamber edge to help feeding...imagine the way 45 autos have their feed ramps modified except this is on the top! If it is a relatively new gun, spend some time watching TV and cycling the action. You probably have a microscopic burr somewhere that will eventually wear off. Cowboy Action Shooting gunsmiths can make the gun smooth as a baby's behind, feed d*** near anything and have a super trigger to boot! Cost?

I bought a used 4 cavity 429244 in 1972...had the gas check milled off and have used it off and on ever since...in a number of 1894s of various years of manufacture. I bought a 2 cavity two years ago...and it feeds just as well in my three current 1894 Cowboy rifles.

These little things will drive you crazier.

:Fire::cbpour::redneck:

[longbow]

I haven't used the 429244 but have had similar issues with the 429241 ~ both are Keith style.

Not only is the OAL critical and for sure the 429241 is over length when crimped in the crimp groove but even when seated to the front driving band I find the front shoulder and/or brass jam on the chamber mouth at least frequently enough to be annoying.

I gave up trying to get it to feed and went to RNFP. No feeding problems now!

I know lots of people swear by them and they may work fine in revolvers and some lever action guns but I have been much happier since I switched.

If OAL is the issue, you can modify the cartridge stop to allow a longer OAL. Instructions are posted here somewhere.

If it is jamming on the shoulder I recommend at least trying a different boolit style.

Longbow

[runfiverun]

longbow has it nailed.
if you don't wanna mess with either the gun or your cases use a rnfp in a lever gun.
thats why we have about a bajillion different boolit designs.

[Firebricker]

You can try seating a little deeper and crimp over the front band. That made it feed better in my 444 but a rnfp is going to feed better. FB

[Firebird]

Marlin 1894's just don't feed cartridges well with anything longer than a 1.600" OAL, and they don't like big meplats at that length either. You have to get them even shorter or the front edge of the bullet tends to hit the chamber wall on entry causing failures to feed. Most RNFP bullets have a nose length of .300", which works great as it results in an OAL of 1.59" with most 357/41/44 Magnum or 45 Colt brass. Most SWC bullets have a nose length of .330" to .400", which results in an OAL of 1.62 to 1.69"; causing problems unless you can get the OAL back to 1.600" or less by trimming the brass shorter or crimping over the front shoulder. Hint- Keith SWC bullets will feed much better in 357/44 Magnum Marlins if loaded in 38 Special or 44 Special brass for an OAL of 1.56".

[JesterGrin_1]

It all depends on the Marlin in hand. Direct from the Marlin info the .44 Mag Max AOL is 1.610 but you can go here http://castboolits.gunloads.com/showthread.php?t=7750 and have the rifle cycle a longer AOL with a little modification which is easy. But some will cycle a longer AOL than others right from the box.

If yours likes the shorter AOL the Ranch Dog .432-265Gr if you can find a mold will have an AOL of 1.55. But I have found for my Marlin 1894SS in .44 Mag Shoots great with a Lee 310Gr with an AOL of 1.625

But I will add I never had good luck with a SWC. So I stick with RNFP BOOLITS ;0

[kidmma]

RNFPs in the Marlin, and no friggin' around.