In the early 80's I bought 2 Marlin 44 Mags. on the same day at 2 different shops! One was a 336 the other was a 1894. Both had gold triggers. Both had what they call Ballard riffling as opposed to Micro-Grooved riffling. I sold them within a year, and have bought several more since then.
If you are going to shoot cast bullets in Micro-Grooved riffling, My experience says use a harder alloy (like Wheel Weights) and size to .430 or .431 and you will have great accuracy at 100-150 yards. I had a 240 SWC Lyman mould at the time with the One big lube groove, that bullet is great in Micro-Groove barrels and Ballard barrels both! (In 357 Mag, I always stuck to Jacketed bullets in Micro-Grooved barrels! I have owned 2 of the 357 Carbines about 20 years apart, and always found them lacking the fit and finish that you would expect!)
I had a 1894 Cowboy Special in 44-40 and one in 45 Colt. (I think that 44-40 was the finest Marlin of the 35 to 40 I have owned.) These models always have Ballard riffling for soft lead. I used 200-230 LFN "Cowboy" style bullets of a medium hardness.
My best friend had a couple Marlin 1895's in 45-70, and I still have a early Guide Gun in 45-70. Those have all been real good guns! I've loaded very hard 405 FN and RN/GC in the Guide Gun hat the much higher "1895 Marlin" pressures and had fantastic accuracy at 50 and 100 yards. My gun likes .457 and .458 sized bullets. My best friend loaded jacketed 300, 350, and 405 bullets at the Marlin pressures too and had exhalent results!
IN my opinion, you will enjoy that Marlin until your grandkids grow old!
Ivan
