Blazin
12-30-2009, 09:08 AM
I intend on purchasing a Marlin 1894SS (Ballard rifling) soon to complement my two other 44 Mag's, both S&W's 629's. The first 629, the newer one, has 0.429" cylinder throats (yup, I know, they're tight), while the older 629 has 0.4305" cylinder throats. I intend on using the 1894SS mostly for plinking out to 100 yards, but hunting also. The 629's are used for target work out to 50 yards, and get carried while tromping around the woods in case I bump into something that wants to eat me. I usually shoot 44 Specials and suspect the same will hold true for the 1894SS.
My philosophy is to tailor my bullet and load to the Marlin since the revolvers will feed anything, but in the end I'd like one load for all three guns. I already own a two-cavity RCBS 429-240-SIL mould that I have not used. I understand the Marlin's like 200-240 grain bullets and that's fine by me, I have no desire to shoot 300 grainers.
First question: Will the RCBS 240-SIL likely feed through the Marlin? If not, can you recommend a suitable bullet for my application that will feed?
Second question: For simplicity's sake can I size all bullets to 0.431" or 0.432"? I'd much rather have one 44 Spec load and one 44 Mag load for all three guns (I know this may be wishful thinking considering the tight throat on my newer 629, and no, I really don't want to get the cylinder throat reamed out).
Third question: In the event I do not have time to cast my own bullets, do you think the Dardas 200 grain round nose flat point bullet would be an ideal choice? The reason I'm looking at Dardas bullets is because I can order the diameter bullet I want.
Thanks,
Bill
My philosophy is to tailor my bullet and load to the Marlin since the revolvers will feed anything, but in the end I'd like one load for all three guns. I already own a two-cavity RCBS 429-240-SIL mould that I have not used. I understand the Marlin's like 200-240 grain bullets and that's fine by me, I have no desire to shoot 300 grainers.
First question: Will the RCBS 240-SIL likely feed through the Marlin? If not, can you recommend a suitable bullet for my application that will feed?
Second question: For simplicity's sake can I size all bullets to 0.431" or 0.432"? I'd much rather have one 44 Spec load and one 44 Mag load for all three guns (I know this may be wishful thinking considering the tight throat on my newer 629, and no, I really don't want to get the cylinder throat reamed out).
Third question: In the event I do not have time to cast my own bullets, do you think the Dardas 200 grain round nose flat point bullet would be an ideal choice? The reason I'm looking at Dardas bullets is because I can order the diameter bullet I want.
Thanks,
Bill