Supermag Lever Guns... Any out there ?

[missionary5155]

Greetings from Peru
Was cleanng my 1892 44 WCF SRC this morning from the last time out to the desert (Monday) and got to thinking about what to "unrap from storage" first when we get north "maybe" this year.
Number one was the caliber 50-95 Chappy 1876. Two is the caliber .405 JES in a Marlin 336. Then three is the Marlin 336 .414 Supermag. Other rifles will follow.
But that made me wonder how many others here at Castboolits have taken the initiative to build a Supermag levergun.
The 414 SM Marlin's 20 inch barrel showed me I could count on a 350 fps gain over my 14" TC 414 SM barrel or the big Dan Wesson SM revolver using the same load. So that is a worth while increase especially to have a rifle along shooting the same caliber.
In all seriousness I did not carry the DW SM revolver everytime I took the 414 Marlin out in the bushes. It just did not seem necesary. But it still is nice to have that option.
So are there any other SM lever guns funtioning out there ?
Mike in Peru

[jmort]

If a hot .45-70 is no fun in a lever gun, a "Supermag" sounds like a whole lot of pain.

[missionary5155]

Howdy imortimer
The Supermag revolver brass are only 1.6 inches long so actiually they make a for a less than average length cartidge that the Marlin carrier system can handle.
With the caliber .414 SM a 265 grainer is looking at about 1965 fps max. I can throat my rifle a bit more and seat it out to the 2nd grease groove and pick up some more space for 1680 but that would never laod into the DW.
So no.. the Supermags in a 336 are not going to bother anyone who shoots a 38-55 up to 45-70 with "under max" loads. I have shot my Marlin 45-70 with 280 grainers at 2000 fps and they were quit comfortable with cross sticks. I agree that 400 grainers at 2100 fps really snap the body parts about.
I regret the Marlin cannot be readily altered to handle a 50-70. That would be a fun one also.
Mike in Peru

[jmort]

That makes sense. Did some research and learned something new. Thanks

[felix]

"Like all Supermag cases, 414 brass is 1.6" in length as opposed to the 41 Mag's 1.29". I found the Starline brass to be exceptionally strong with extremely thick case walls - no doubt to handle the extra high pressures that the 414 is capable of generating. In doing a quick check, I found that the 414's case capacity is a full 16% greater than the mighty 44 Mag, never mind the 41 Mag. This extra capacity gives the reloader a couple of options. You can either substantially increase the powder charge and subsequently the velocities, or you can use heavier/longer bullets. It's nice to have choices." ... from a sillywet blog ... felix

For thread info: My 41 mag Marlin cowboy has a freebore of 0.200 using 0.413 sized rounded-edged wadcutters which will chamber unaltered from the magazine. ... felix

[06ackley]

I personally don't have one,but my brother has one chambered in 445.Its a nice round.

[missionary5155]

Howdy 06ackley
Possing with that Blackie qualifies. That is a fine looking bear !
Mike in Peru

[06ackley]

Thanks.That was my first bear hunt and first bear.Was a very happy hunter!

[badgeredd]

I have a 336 that started life as a 35 Remington.It was used and abused when I got it so I decided that I would do for myself what the wise gunmakers wouldn't. It has been transformed to a 357 Maximum a.k.a. 357 SuperMag. I put more time into thinking and figuring before I built the gun than I did in the actual build. The only problem I had was getting the carrier and feeding to work 100% correctly. I finally figured out that a slightly heavier bullet might be the answer, which it turned out to be correct. Several friends have shot it and all have had fun with it. I haven't checked the velocity, but I'm guessing I am right close to 1800 fps with a 207 grain cast bullet.

Edd

[357maximum]

I have a 336 that started life as a 35 Remington.It was used and abused when I got it so I decided that I would do for myself what the wise gunmakers wouldn't. It has been transformed to a 357 Maximum a.k.a. 357 SuperMag. I put more time into thinking and figuring before I built the gun than I did in the actual build. The only problem I had was getting the carrier and feeding to work 100% correctly. I finally figured out that a slightly heavier bullet might be the answer, which it turned out to be correct. Several friends have shot it and all have had fun with it. I haven't checked the velocity, but I'm guessing I am right close to 1800 fps with a 207 grain cast bullet.

Edd


I have shot Edd's 336/357MAX, all I can say is he best be careful how long he turns his back on it in my company :mrgreen: ....it is a hoot and a half, and I am still not sure he did not build it just to torment me. :lol: