Max length for Marlin levers?

[lar45]

Hi all, does anybody know the max length that will feed in the Marlin leverguns in
45-70
450 Marlin
444 Marlin
35 Rem
??

I saw someplace that the 450's length was something like 2.8" and the 45-70 2.5" ish. Just wondering if the 450 was different??

TIA

[Adam10mm]

My 45/70 Guide Gun will take up to 2.55" before feeding gets hinky.

[Jon K]

I feed my 1895 CB 2.565-2.575 no problem.

I have never checked to see what it's limits are, only if the ones I load will feed.

Jon

:castmine:

[lar45]

Thanks, the 2.8" was probably a typo or my late night reading.

Those Stainless Marlins with the laminate stocks look more tempting everytime I see a pic of one.

[JesterGrin_1]

45-70 2.55 Max
450 Marlin 2.55 Max
444 Marlin 2.57 Max
35 Rem

Got this information from the Marlin Web Site. :). Sorry could not find any mention for the .35 Rem but they do show it listed as for the rifle.

[lar45]

Thanks, I found where I read the 2.8" at, it was in Quickload. It might have been me that put it in wrong?

[6pt-sika]

Those Stainless Marlins with the laminate stocks look more tempting everytime I see a pic of one.

Lar45 , I for some reason or another find myself with an example of each caliber Marlin has come out with in the stainless laminated variation .

And I like them all [smilie=1:

Used three of them to kill deer with last year , and will most likely try the other three this year as well .

[Marlin Junky]

Normally the max COL is right around 2.58 but that can vary +/- .01 or so inches depending on meplat diameter and ogive radius. A few little mod's can get one a little extra length but most of the time (except on a few very early 336's) the chambers have little if any throat so a 2.58" max COL is pretty compatible with 336 factory chambers. IMHO The 2.225" .444 (that's the case length) needs a little more room than the 336 can provide but I've heard of gunsmiths like McPherson who will get you a little more action length if you're willing to pay a couple hundred bucks for it. (http://levergun.com/services.htm). I think it's only worth the effort if you need to squeeze a few more grains behind the heaviest boolits in the big bores (.444 and up).

MJ

[Scrounger]

A little trick to make case lengths match up better with crimp grooves and still be short enough to feed well is to take several thousandths off the case length. This slightly reduces case capacity but not enough to matter in most cases.

[Boomer Mikey]

I was thinking I got a bad deal on my 444 because it wouldn't feed at the standard 2.54" COL load length but then I realized that a 78% meplat isn't standard either. My 444 and 45-70 will feed 2.58" with jword bullets. for the large meplat cast bullets I seat deeper and use a Lee factory crimp die to hold things in place.

Boomer :Fire:

[45r]

in handloader no.224 brian pierce says he could go up to 2.6 col with the redding mold no.433 in the 444 marlin by trimming the brass to 2.2 inchs.that is a 305FN with a .400 inch nose.says it can be pushed to 2000+fps with 45.0 grains RE-7.I would think RD's 300 grain boolit would be very good also and not need trimming.After reading that 4 year old article and reading how well the 444 does in RD's postal match's I'm beginning to forget about the recoil that was steering me to the 35 or 375 cal.Now thinking I could load it with trail boss or 4227,4759,5744,etc for practice loads.Handled one at the local gander mtn and it had very good wood and no visual flaws.It would put the deer down fast I bet.I know my muzzleloader does with 300grainers and triple-7.Besides I ought to see what the big-bore levergun thing is about.I'm sure having fun with the 357CB.I'm beginning to think Marlin leverguns can be addictive,seems like everybody has more than one.

[Newtire]

This is for the .444 Marlin:

I am coming up with 2.545" with any of the "Keith-Style" wadcutters and 2.500" with my Ranch Dog 285 gr. (277 gr. for me) and also 2.500 with the 300 gr. Lee.

[PatMarlin]

I'm running 2.585 in my 1895 guidegun 45-70 with the Lee 340gr PB.

[jtaylor1960]

I have a 420gr. NEI cast bullet loaded in my 45/70 Marlin.The length is 2.57".I don't think I could go much longer.The bullet has no crimp groove so I used a Lee Factory Crimp Die to crimp.

[pdawg_shooter]

My 1895g takes 2.580...no problem.