marlin 1894 32-20 from 1902... big bore size question.

[mpbarry1]

I have been getting ready for my marlin to come home. Made the last payment today. So i slugged the bore as soon as I got home. It is. 3125 to 3130! I got a 311008 on here earlier. It throws 3135 boolits and I made 1000 of em preparing for my my guns arrival. So. It looks like this 1902 bore is a little big!

Do you guys think i should try those bullets that I made? Or should I beagle the mold and melt em back down?

[edler7]

Why not load up a dozen and see how they shoot ? You might be surprised, and save a little wear and tear on the pot.

[Jack Stanley]

Barrel is .313" and the bullets are .3135" ?? I believe if they fit the case and will chamber you're good to go . You can still size them down if you need to .

Jack

[runfiverun]

i'm failing to see the problem.
if they poured 313 i'd use them.
i don't know where the whole they gotta be so big they barely chamber thing come from.
but it can't be doing a boolit any good being squeezed down like that.

[mpbarry1]

I just was shooting for 2 thousanths over. I was really surprised to see it so big. I will try it out and let you all know. I am going to try to load these at 1220 fps or less to be subsonic. Thanks!

[dubber123]

I size .313" in my newer Marlin. My S&W's need .314". I'd get a size die big enough to just apply lube without sizing and go. The lower velocity you are shooting for will help. Have fun with the old girl.

[mpbarry1]

I loaded up some Win 231 in two grain increments from 3.8 grains to 4.4 grains and Unique from 4.2 grains to 5.4 grains. Pan Lubed and Unsized. All of them shot amazing well. I was suprised that that old girl shot so well. It really liked the 4 grains of win 231 and 4.8 grains of unique. I did find just little bit of leading in the start of the bore after shooting the Unique loads. It pealed out the shape of two lands. Im thinking it must have been the lower loads of the Unique. I will load up some more and try it again to make sure it doesn't lead before going to Winnemucca on the 14th... :)

[canyon-ghost]

32-20 really is a darling caliber.

[northmn]

My Mqarlin is about 312 and I use a bulet vey near bore diameter and it shoots pretty good. I also use as cast and Lee tumble lube whcih may help the diameter issue some. It outshot a Rossi 357 hands down.

DP