Loading for a 1901 Marlin 1894

[prsman23]

Hey there guys. I've recently acquired an old Marlin in 32-20. Was hoping I could get some advice for loading it. Just for plinking around. No serious work for this old girl. Just want to stretch her out every once in a while.
I've got a lee mold. But have a few questions. Such as is it safe to shoot smokeless. Or should I stick to BP.
And what powders/ loads are recommended. My loading manuals are clear that they don't apply to early levers.

[prsman23]

http://tapatalk.imageshack.com/v2/14/11/27/1027749d2b14e05ba68d82316c168fcd.jpg

http://tapatalk.imageshack.com/v2/14/11/27/47d286db4da8c655250a66de6cbf686c.jpg

http://tapatalk.imageshack.com/v2/14/11/27/719502bfe04879ba2ffa51bbd3ab7a39.jpg

http://tapatalk.imageshack.com/v2/14/11/27/3d7cb10af6ac450f33dbac1e77b5c611.jpg

Almost forgot the most important part! The pictures!

Also. Does it look like the barrel has been replaced?

[historicfirearms]

122956122957122958It does look like the barrel has been replaced. Here is a picture of mine, notice how the finish matches between the receiver and barrel? Mine is a little newer however, and I think my barrel has been shortened a couple inches. Mine slugged out fairly large at .315" groove diameter. I had to "beagle" an old ideal 311316 to get boolits large enough to shoot well. I've been using a light charge of Promo powder behind that boolit and it shoots great, one of my favorite guns to shoot by far.

[Uncle Jimbo]

Not that it means anything, but the stamping of Marlin Safety on the receiver means that it was made to use smokeless power. The rifle looke to be in very good condition and should handle any load of smokeless power you decide on. Keeping it in the safety zone for that cartridge of course. I have a 1894 made in 1896 25-20 that I have been loading with 10 grs. 4227 behind a 85 grain Meizer <-(sp) since 1968 when I first got the rifle.
Oh yea, what is with the sacrilege of put that fine Marlin on a Winchester display box?:kidding:

[prsman23]

Oh yea, what is with the sacrilege of put that fine Marlin on a Winchester display box?:kidding:


I KNOW!!!! Lol. My fault. Only thing I had at the time. I knew I'd get called out on it!

Good info on the Marlin safety. Had no idea. Any good books on Marlins like this recommended?

[W.R.Buchanan]

Next time at least cover the damn box up!

is this considered "Piling on?"

Randy

[Wind]

Hey there p23 -- Nice Marlin. I would bet a couple nickels the barrel has been replaced at some point. I think Uncle Jimbo might be a little confused. The Marlin Safety inscription means the rifle has the Marlin two piece firing pin safety feature. Some Model 1893 Marlin rifles had the inscription of Special Smokeless Steel on the barrel. There were some B Grade rifles also produced with Black Powder Only inscribed on the barrels. All 1894 Marlins are smokeless guns. My first year gun has a special order 28" barrel and is a real sweetie!!

123009

Here some load data to help you get started...

123010

Hope this helps. Best regards. Wind

[Uncle Jimbo]

Hey there p23 -- Nice Marlin. I would bet a couple nickels the barrel has been replaced at some point. I think Uncle Jimbo might be a little confused. The Marlin Safety inscription means the rifle has the Marlin two piece firing pin safety feature. Some Model 1893 Marlin rifles had the inscription of Special Smokeless Steel on the barrel. There were some B Grade rifles also produced with Black Powder Only inscribed on the barrels. All 1894 Marlins are smokeless guns. My first year gun has a special order 28" barrel and is a real sweetie!!

123009

Here some load data to help you get started...

123010

Hope this helps. Best regards. Wind

Wouldn't be the first time I was wrong. And I doubt it will be the last.
:groner:
Don't know who or where I was told that if it was stamped "Marlin Safety" it was made to use smokeless powder. I went and looked again on my 1894 for the "Special Smokeless Steel" , it is not there and my barrel has never been changed. Then again mine don't look anywhere as nice as the pictures of the three rifles here. But it shoot good and I love it.

[Wind]

Hey there Uncle J -- No sweat!! The Special Smokeless Steel was only on the 1893 rifles. Again, the 1894's were all rated for smokeless powders so the barrels weren't so marked.

This is a great little under rated cartridge that will reach out there aways!!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WJp32Tj5yIk&list=UUNvs-eikNypaitinLHGw9tA

Hope this helps. Best regards. Wind

[prsman23]

Thanks for your help guys. I'll give a range report soon.

[prsman23]

Hey there Uncle J -- No sweat!! The Special Smokeless Steel was only on the 1893 rifles. Again, the 1894's were all rated for smokeless powders so the barrels weren't so marked.

This is a great little under rated cartridge that will reach out there aways!!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WJp32Tj5yIk&list=UUNvs-eikNypaitinLHGw9tA

Hope this helps. Best regards. Wind

I had actually seen that video on YouTube. I was drooling over this gun and looking for any info on it. This helped me make up my mind. So thank you.

[salvadore]

I use a 3118 type bullet with 3.5 gr. of 231 as published above, and it is a great plinker for my 2004 1894 Marlin. It also shoots nicely out of my 1931Colt O.P.