Marlin 94 45 colt load ?

[Little Doc]

would it be safe to shoot 45 colt loads for ruger and contender in the marlin 1894 in 45 colt cal. hodgdon data list 300 gr cast gc with lower chamber pressure than same weight boolet in 44 mag using same powder. what do you think?
thanks
little doc

[ktw]

I do in a Winchester 94. I don't think you'll have any difficulty doing it with a Marlin.

Once you start pushing a 300 grainer over about 1500 fps in one you'll learn to hold on tight before pulling the trigger. My primary loads are a 300 grain plain base boolit at around 1350 fps or a 265 gas checked boollit at around 1575 fps.

-ktw

[hicard]

I am also interested in this subject. I load 300-330 gr bullets with 2400 and have been conservative with them but still would like to hear what others are doing. I have a great 300 gr hp I would like to beef up as much as safely possible. At present I am loading 10-12 grs of 2400 and they seem to be good loads. Haven't chrony'd them yet but imagine they are going near the 1000 fps range.

[Little Doc]

thanks ktw
what powder are you using? I have shot a load of H110 with the 300gr lee gc in a singleshsot lowall. with great satisfaction. just curious about safety here. i will give it a try in the levergun.
thanks again
ld

[Little Doc]

hicard,
i have shot the 300gr and lyman 330 hp in my ruger and lowall. i have loaded the 330 over 20gr 4227. just remember this is in my gun and you are on your own. i have not shot these loads in the marlin but i think i will from some of the feedback i am geting. the loads from hodgdon data for the ruger/tc in 45 colt show pressure much less than 44mag with the same wt bullet and powder. the rifles are the same except for the bore. maybe others will chime in with their exparinces and knowledge. as yourself just looking for info.
ld

[felix]

45 colt produces less pressure by a long shot over that of the 44 mag with the same load. Because of the case capacity of the colt case, raise the powder level to 25 grains of RL7 or 28 grains 680, or to bottom of boolit with no compression. Pressure will be much less than 40K, the practical limit of the later production lever guns, fairly independent of brand. In the colt case with a 315 grain boolit the pressure should be even less than 30K, which is an all day shooter as far as the gun in concerned. Not so for the user without padding, or the cases if the chamber is on the large side. In fact, the latter problem is a problem with the winnie for sure, but might not be for the marlin. ... felix

[45&30-30]

I have loaded heavy in the Henry Big Boy and Marlin 1894, if interested the following link has some good information on strength of guns and loads. http://www.leverguns.com/articles/paco/45coltlevergun.htm

[ktw]

thanks ktw
what powder are you using? I have shot a load of H110 with the 300gr lee gc in a singleshsot lowall. with great satisfaction. just curious about safety here.

Mostly H110. 2400 or H4227 will also work.

I have used the Lee 457-340 and Lyman 457-122-HP (330gr) in it. Works, but found them to be a little too much of a good thing for general shooting enjoyment.

-ktw

[cajun shooter]

Your shoulder will go before the rifle does. The post by Felix says it all.

[leadeye]

+1 on Felix's post. I shoot a NHR 45lc and have had no problems at all with heavy 300 grain loads. Gets hard on the shoulder unless you have a coat on even with the heavy barrel on the Henry.