rockquarry
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For those with experience - how does accuracy compare? I'm interested in cast bullets.
new Marlin 1894s vs. Ruger BA .357 &.44 Mag.
- Thread starter rockquarry
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Ruger BA?
HAI? WTD? RDD?
HAI? WTD? RDD?
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rockquarry
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Ruger bolt-action.
smoothshooter
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To my knowledge, Ruger bolt actions are not being produced.
gwpercle
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From an accuracy point of view ...
I have always had better luck with a Bolt Action .
The lever gun has limitations on bullet design , less choices can hamstring you .
The Bolt Action gives you more bullet options and choices .
You choose the Lever Action based on its flat and compact size and fast repeat shots .
I take my model 94 Winchester Hog Hunting because its fast loading and easy to carry ... my 1903-A3 Springfield Bolt Action is more accurate but hog hunting is up close , fast and furious so the 100 yard accuracy isn't required .
Think about what you will be using the gun for ... Hunting deer in soy-bean fields where 150-200 yard shots are the norm ... Bolt Action for sure !
I have always been a Bolt Action fan but the lever gun has it places !
Gary
I have always had better luck with a Bolt Action .
The lever gun has limitations on bullet design , less choices can hamstring you .
The Bolt Action gives you more bullet options and choices .
You choose the Lever Action based on its flat and compact size and fast repeat shots .
I take my model 94 Winchester Hog Hunting because its fast loading and easy to carry ... my 1903-A3 Springfield Bolt Action is more accurate but hog hunting is up close , fast and furious so the 100 yard accuracy isn't required .
Think about what you will be using the gun for ... Hunting deer in soy-bean fields where 150-200 yard shots are the norm ... Bolt Action for sure !
I have always been a Bolt Action fan but the lever gun has it places !
Gary
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A few years ago Ohio passed new straight case rifle as legal for deer. At the time I was caught short. I had a Marlin 1895 that I felt was too much gun for white tail. So got me a Marlin 1894 and a 375.
I scoped the Marlin 1894 and sighted it in at 60yds and it shot constant 1.5” / 5 shot groups with my hand loads. Then had occasion to sight in two
Ruger 77/44s with Leupold 2x7 scopes. Owners supplied Winchester White Box, 240gr JSP ammo. Also shot in at 60 yds. both identical rigs shot 1”
So to tell the truth I kinda liked the Marlin 94 as a deer gun but Ruger 77/44 shot a little better. 99% of shots here under 100yds so what’s a half inch amongst friends? I ended up offing all three Marlins because JMs are going for crazy money, like P&R Smiths. Now have Ruger #3 / 375 as deer piece.
I scoped the Marlin 1894 and sighted it in at 60yds and it shot constant 1.5” / 5 shot groups with my hand loads. Then had occasion to sight in two
Ruger 77/44s with Leupold 2x7 scopes. Owners supplied Winchester White Box, 240gr JSP ammo. Also shot in at 60 yds. both identical rigs shot 1”
So to tell the truth I kinda liked the Marlin 94 as a deer gun but Ruger 77/44 shot a little better. 99% of shots here under 100yds so what’s a half inch amongst friends? I ended up offing all three Marlins because JMs are going for crazy money, like P&R Smiths. Now have Ruger #3 / 375 as deer piece.
One of the complaints re the Ruger 77/357 and 44 was that they would only accept certain lengths of bullets due to the magazine lengths. Several people were frustrated at not being able to shoot the 170 gr Keith bullet, 358429.
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rockquarry
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Several enlightening tips here; thanks for the comments.
The Ruger 77/44 is in production and available now. The new ones I’ve seen are all stainless and synthetic. They come with a threaded barrel. I found a deal on they about 18 months ago and bought 2 of them. One was for my son. No shimming and trigger work required, that people complained about on older ones. I put a 2-7x32 Vortex on mine. It shoots one hole groups at 50yds. About 1 1/2” at 100 and I can ring 9” steel plates all day at 150. I have not seen any of the 77/357 available new yet.
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I don’t know how familiar you are with Marlin Levers but they are known to jam if your ammo OAL is just a smidge long. Not familiar with Kieth 170. Marlin Jam requires dropping the lever.
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rockquarry
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I have a .32-20 and did have a .45-70; no problem with overall length jams, but I can see how it could happen. I seldom shoot the Keith bullet. What became the H&G #51 was the original .357 Magnum bullet. It was designed for the cartridge whereas the #358429 was designed for the .38 Special and adapted to the .357. It's long where the #51 isn't and will work in any .357. I seem to get a bit better accuracy from the H&G #51.
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jsfricks
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I believe Ruger has stopped making the 77/44 once again. It’s shown “currently available “ on Rugers sight for awhile now. I have a new one from 2017 with wood stock and blued and had decided to sell it to my son in law and went for price checks on completed auctions on GB and there aren’t many. As they always say about Ruger, if a certain gun gets too expensive to make Ruger will stop making it and I believe that has happened once again. I bought mine when Cabelas liquidated them in 2017 for less than $400 before tax. After that they made the treaded model for a couple of years.
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Yendor357
Member
I have an 1894 in 357, pre safety and a new 77/357. But I don’t mess with cast bullets anymore. I cast for years. Hornady XTPs consistently out shoot anything I could cast except maybe the 429421. That bullet is awesome.
I run my 158 XTPs at 1850 fps from both my 357 rifles. My Marlin has a Lyman 66LA, just like God intended. The new 77/357 has a 1.5-5X Leupold. The scoped rifle shoots a bit better because it has a scope. But the peep sighted. Marlin is no slouch, either. It’s a toss up. From a tree stand, at 60 yards or less (I’ve never shot any farther) the 158 XTP at 1850 is vicious.
Ive also got a Ruger No.1 in 44 Magnum. They all shoot about the same, around 2 MOA. Now I’ve shot smaller than 2 MOA groups, occasionally, but on average, 2 MOA.
Both the Lever gun and the Bolt make fine single shot rifles if you want to shoot those long, cast 173s.
My standard reply applies. Buy both.
I run my 158 XTPs at 1850 fps from both my 357 rifles. My Marlin has a Lyman 66LA, just like God intended. The new 77/357 has a 1.5-5X Leupold. The scoped rifle shoots a bit better because it has a scope. But the peep sighted. Marlin is no slouch, either. It’s a toss up. From a tree stand, at 60 yards or less (I’ve never shot any farther) the 158 XTP at 1850 is vicious.
Ive also got a Ruger No.1 in 44 Magnum. They all shoot about the same, around 2 MOA. Now I’ve shot smaller than 2 MOA groups, occasionally, but on average, 2 MOA.
Both the Lever gun and the Bolt make fine single shot rifles if you want to shoot those long, cast 173s.
My standard reply applies. Buy both.
You’re not going to have any problem unless you accede max OAL.
I’ve had the 44 jam more than once, not because of my loads but another guys loads for his Contender. Jammed up the 375 trying to use it as a 2-shooter. Loaded one Speer 235 Semi Spitzer in mag after dropping one in chamber. Almost but not quite. I was sighting in when that happened. The Speer 235gr got no crimp groove and one worked out to over OAL.
gwpercle
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My understanding was that they came available again end of 2022 early 2023. As I said I bought my 2 new ones in summer of 2023. There were quit a few available online. I never saw any 357s though. Perhaps they are just sold out and back ordered due to demand?????????
Doug M.
Member
*
Ruger bought the Marlin name, did some work on the product, and sells them under the Marlin name. I hope to be able to shoot mine some day after my shoulder heals.
LostintheOzone
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I had a 77/357 for a few years. I load .357 and tried 3 different bullet weights (XTP) and ladder increments. Terrible accuracy in the 3 moa range. I replaced the stock, trigger and added washers in the two piece bolt. Nothing helped. I sent it back to Ruger and they replaced the barrel. Still a dog. Finally just gave up and sold it.
There's probably a reason they stopped building those for awhile and I know why. If it were my money I'd buy the lever rifle.
There's probably a reason they stopped building those for awhile and I know why. If it were my money I'd buy the lever rifle.
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Sorry for the confusion. It’s an 1894 Ruger/Marlin that I picked up about a year ago. I tend to use the terms “RUGER” and “MARLIN” interchangeably these days.
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