.433 bullets

[Cpo1944]

I have an older 1970`s Marlin 1894 .44 mag , and I just ordered some lead bullets .

I was told the Marlin needed the larger bullets. My question is will the S&W 29/629`s be happy with that size bullet?

Is .433 too large ,will it damage the forcing cone or anything else to be concerned with?

Will I have to keep my rifle bullets separated from the revolvers?

 

[M29since14]

I have shot them that large in my 29-2s and noticed no ill effects but you have to be absolutely sure you have room at the front end of each chamber in the cylinder for the case to "release" the bullet, and that the exit bores of your cylinder are not too much smaller than that. Most of the 29-2s made in the 60s and 70s seem to be OK in these areas.

This is an old trick to cure leading in Model 29s that were made with the rather large exit bores - and it works. Some of the newer production guns have much smaller exit bores and I would hesitate to use 0.433" cast bullets in a revolver that has exit bores, say, 0.428".

JMHO so proceed with due caution.

 

[lebomm]

IMHO, your 29/629 will probably shoot those fatter bullets well, as long as you keep your loads in the sensible range for lead bullets. The consensus seems to be that the Marlin's Micro-Groove rifling doesn't handle lead bullets very well in the larger calibers. I had an M1894 briefly and it shot jacketed bullets very well, lead not worth a hoot. My 336 Cowboy with its Ballard-style rifling likes lead just fine. YMMV

Larry

 

[Cpo1944]

Thanks for the replies .
I was mistaken the bullets are actually .432

 

[rockquarry]

Marlin Micro-Groove barrels will handle cast bullets fine, but generally a fat bullet is required, often larger than what is furnished by commercial casters. Smaller diameter bullets often provide disappointing results. Shoot the largest diameter cast bullet that will freely chamber. Of course, this is applicable for cast bullets only, not jacketed.

 

[358156hp]

Microgroove Marlins greatly favor harder bullets, about one or two thousandths over actual groove diameter. You need to slug your barrel and measure the slugs to determine the actual size you need. Guesstimating won't get you there, I've heard of Marlin barrels in 44 calibers being as large as .434, and possibly even more.