lee cast bullet for 1894 44 magnum

[rp85]

hello;

i just give up, just to much info. spent hours trying to detremine the best lee cast bullet (mold) for my marlin 1894 44 magnum, micro grove barrel.

looking for accuracy. any suggestion on lee bullet type and powder. plain base or gas check makes no difference.

select lee mold simply for its light weight if i'm to spend several hours casting.

thanks.

rp

[kelbro]

Order a RanchDog 265gr. mold and you will be set.

[Lead Fred]

I have not liked any of the Lee molds I have.
The only 44 mold we have is the 300 gr Ranch Dog.
They are designed for Marlin Levers

[gvanzeggelaar]

If you are stuck on lee molds get the 200 gr RN one. Works very well in mine.

[JonB_in_Glencoe]

Lee's are notorious for being to spec or just under.
that's good for many applications.
BUT since the marlin micro groove is notorious
for being large...NOT so much for the Lee.

the previous suggestions for a ranchdog mold...IS THE WAY TO GO.
he just came out with a new one...240 gr. I recall,
but he'll have the heavier ones too.
He only does 6 cavity molds now,
if your looking for a cheapo 2 cavity,
watch the sellin' and swappin' section,
a 265 gr. RD comes up once in a while,
I have one, I like it enough to not sell it :(
good luck,
Jon

[Larry Gibson]

Quite frankly I would not get "a" mould.....I would get 2 moulds. The Lee429-200-RF in 6 cavity would be my low end practice/plinking bullet at 950 - 1200 fps. I would get a Lyman Devestator 429640 for my top end hunting loads. That bullet casts out at 265 - 270 gr with softer alloys for reliable expansion and, also being a GC'd bullet, is very accurate and deadly up through top end in a 44 Magnum rifle.

Come to think of it, those two moulds/cast bullets are exactly what I use in my own .44 revolvers and lever action:D

Larry Gibson

[EDK]

RANCH DOG TLC 432 265...I have it and the lube groove clone from NOE. Either one will be higher quality than a standard LEE.

LYMAN 429667 and 429640 have both worked nicely for me. MIHEC 434640 hollow point is on order.

You might get lucky that your MARLIN will feed semi wadcutters. All of the ones I've had over the past 40 years have fed them to varying degrees.

Go read Glenn Fryxell's article on 1894 MARLINS at lasc.us and become more enlightened. Conventional wisdom on MARLINS is heavy, oversize..432+ in your gun, hard alloy, high velocity, and probably gas checked. LYMAN 429244 has worked well for me over the years.

Going over to marlinowners and doing some reading probably would be a good idea also.

:redneck::cbpour:

[Shuz]

If you are stuck on lee molds get the 200 gr RN one. Works very well in mine.

Ditto--also works well in my Winnie Trapper!