.44 Magnum in a lever-action...

G-Mac · Jul 3, 2016

Gentlemen, I've acquired a new production Marlin 1894 in .44 Magnum/.44 Special. I have reloaded .44s before, but only for revolvers. I've come across some Nosler 300gr .44 mag JHP bullets. Any thoughts or opinions on the suitability of these for my application? Initially, the gun will be mostly used at the gun club range at distances up to 100 yards...plinking, casual target shooting, etc. I basically bought it because I thought it would be good for this purpose.

Fishinfool · Jul 3, 2016

Nice rifle. I have owned several. Makes a fine hunting, or range / plinking gun. Don't know I would target shoot with 300 grain JSP's though. 240 grain lead or coated SWC's or FPRN's at about 900 fps are fun. If your gun has Micro-Groove rifling, cast will work, just be sure to cast hard, use a flat base, or gas check if loading hot, and be sure to size .001 over your bore, which, in Marlins, often runs over .429 / .430.

The Marlin 1894 may or may not have feeding issues with a 300 grain bullet do to OAL. Also, depending on your rifling twist rate, it may or may not stabilize a 300 grain bullet.

Larry

Rogeronimo · Jul 3, 2016

Sierra lists loads for their 300 grain slug up to 1450 fps. Test rifle was a Winchester 94AE with a 1 in 38" twist, oal of 1.735", which is longer than the SAAMI standard. Yep, I'd load some inert rounds, do a clunk drop test, and check for feed issues.
To further muddy the water, Swift pushes their 300 grain A-FRAME up to 1500 fps from a 20" test barrel with a 1 in 20" twist, 1.610" oal, which is the SAAMI maximum for this cartridge.
If need be, you could always add a cannelure should your oal exceed the forgiveness of your rifle.

dswancutt · Jul 3, 2016

Do a search on Marlin 44 Mag twist rate. Due to it's relatively slow twist rate, they don't do well with bullets over 240 gr. This applies to both the cowboy and the standard model.

Neumann · Jul 4, 2016

A Marlin 1894, .44 Magnum, has a 38" twist, which is marginal for a 300 grain bullet. The sweet spot is definitely 240 grains. Some barrels are somewhat oversized and require a 0.431" cast bullet, but jacketed bullets work well at 0.429".

I use hard cast bullets from Oregon Trails, SWC or RNFP (preferred) at 0.431" at 1600 fps over Accurate 2400, from a 20" barrel.

Pistol jacketed HP bullets may not be strong enough for hunting at carbine velocities.

Correct feed should be very smooth, controlled or nearly so. I had to use a slip stone to break the sharp edge on on the underside of my extractor.

shocker · Jul 4, 2016

While I favor 240 gr bullets myself, 300 gr should work with 1-38 twist, as reported by shooters at the Marlinowners.com website.

BUFF · Jul 4, 2016

Those 300 grainers are going to kick in that Marlin. I would find something else (lighter) for informal shooting.

muddocktor · Jul 4, 2016

I agree with BUFF about the 300 grainers for plinking. Heck, hot 240 grain bullets tear my shoulder up after around 20 or so with my Browning B-92. For range play, I much rather 357 Mag in my old Rossi 92-SRC than the 44 Browning.

SLT223 · Jul 4, 2016

Fishinfool said:
Also, depending on your rifling twist rate, it may or may not stabilize a 300 grain bullet.

Larry

That's a goo dpoint. What twist rate do you need to stabilize a 300gr .430 diameter slug? I have a Winchester 1892 w/ 1:26" rifling.

Mike SC Hunter · Jul 4, 2016

dswancutt said:
Do a search on Marlin 44 Mag twist rate. Due to it's relatively slow twist rate, they don't do well with bullets over 240 gr. This applies to both the cowboy and the standard model.

Having owned and still shoot a Win 94AE & Marlin 1894 octagon for many years I disagree with with your 240 gr. weight limit. All I use is 250 gr. cast SWC's.......They work great!

Snapping Twig · Jul 4, 2016

I cast the 429244 which weighs 265g from WW, size to .431 and load them over 22g W296/H110.

They are accurate.

Drm50 · Jul 4, 2016

I just went through this last fall, when I picked up a 70s, 1894
44 mag, for deer hunting. I ended up using 240gr. Hornady XTP
with 21.5gr of 2400. I tried the 300g Sierra, recoil wasn't a
factor with me. I couldn't get satisfactory groups with them, and
will admit pretty stiff recoil. Shot several cast, and lighter jackets.
Couldn't get groups out of lighter jackets. I shot a 240 SWC cast
with 19.0g / 2400, .429", rifle would clover leaf them at 60yds.
The one thing with SWC type bullets with Marlin 94 is a minor
feed issue. You have to "double clutch" the lever slightly to feed
them. I think a 240Rn cast would be the best bet for this rifle
as a Target load, but I don't have a RN mold. Have 3x scope on
mine and brothers, we 0 at 60yds for deer hunting in thick cover.
Cast 44SWC was a GC bullet. This SWC "hang up" was the same
in several rifles, 7, 1894s in our crew all acted the same.

patrickd · Jul 4, 2016

My experience with the Marlin 1894 in .44 Mag is they have very short throats in the barrels. Just loading 180 gr XTP's I had to seat them pretty deep to get them to chamber. 300 gr bullets might pose a problem

38SPL HV · Jul 4, 2016

When I had one, 18 grs 2400 with hard cast 240 gr FPs were real tack drivers. More than adequate for any Whitetail or smaller Black Bears.

G-Mac · Jul 4, 2016

Thank you for all the replies. Sounds like the 300 grainers might be better in a revolver.

.44 Magnum in a lever-action...

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