Home Forums Lever Action Central Marlin Talk .44 mag loads in 1894

I am the new owner of an old 1894. I'd like to know what loads would be good for deer and possibly black bear in this caliber. I'm thinking of 240 grain or heavier bullets, but I'm always willing to listen to advice. Anyone?

Depends on how old the gun is. I use Buffalo Bore 44 mags in mine and they ROCK for a 44 mag. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/blush.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />

I think that it 1980's vintage. I'd like something in a Keith Style bullet, maybe a gas check. Is it true that the micro groove barrels won't shoot cast bullets?

I am curious as well. I just picked up an 70s vintage Marlin 1894 with a 20" barrel. It shoots the Magtech 240 grain cast loads at around 1600 fps into around 2.5 - 4" groups at 100 yds.

I tried some off brand 240 grain JSPs and they were too hot. I didn't chrono them, but with both shots I fired, the cases didn't extract and I had to push them out with a rod. Maybe the remaining 48 rounds will shoot okay in my revolver.


The Federal 300 or 305 grain Castcore ammo went around 1400 fps. Didn't shoot well at all.

What kind of accuracy can I expect with best loads/factory ammo in this rifle?

I really wasn't planning to handload for it, I can't keep up with what I have now. I was hoping Buffalo Bore stuff would shoot well and function reliably.

Blaine,

You shouldn't have bought it out from under me <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/wink.gif" alt="" />

I hope it shoots 12" groups! Naw, I found one for a good price and am waiting on it to be shipped. I'm gonna build a 475 Linebaugh with mine so I don't care if it has micro-groove or wavey-groove.

I am surprised that you found ammo that wouldn't extract- that's a bummer. Is your chamber in good shape?

Dennis

Bought it out from under you? It was sold for at least week before you even asked about it.... <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />

I haven't checked the chamber. I used it mainly to fill the time while my 1000 yd rifle's barrel cooled. I should probably polish the chamber.

A 475 Linebaugh lever gun sounds interesting.....as would a 454 casull

Don't know if your rifle will shoot BB loads or not, but microgroove rifles will shoot cast bullets. At least my 39a does, as does every other Marlin .22 I ever saw - and so did the .357 '94 I used to have.

BB also makes a +p .44 Special load, you might try that if the .44 mag load is too hot for your use.

Not too hot for me, but maybe too hot for the rifle.......... <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/wink.gif" alt="" />

When we first went to Ruger carbines ( 40 cal S&W) a number of years ago, they absolutely would not extract aluminum cased blazer ammo- had to buy brass stuff just for the carbines. I'm sure that the action design was such that it was trying to extract a few milliseconds too soon and the pressure was probably still too high. They usually pulled apart in the chamber- the stuck piece would pop right out with a 45 cal cleaning brush pushed in.

This obviously isn't the case in a lever action, but chambers can be very finicky- I would polish it by threading a short rod into a case and smearing it with some 400-600 grit and spinning it in a drill. This way you don't make any waves in it. Sounds like the perfect project for the guy who has never left a gun alone in his life <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smirk.gif" alt="" />

That's my motto...

"no gun left alone"

<img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />

I hear that "Hardcast" is ok.

I have a Ruger 77/44 that is basically a 4" gun. While that is certainly deer accurate enough, it doesn't turn me on.

For those of you with 1894 experience, what kind of accuracy are you getting? I have an 1895G that I think would make great companion gun to an 1894SS.

I have not tried this load hunting but a 240gr Montana Gold JSP shoots very well in my 1894 with a 20" microgroove barrel. Over 18.7 gr. of 2400 (Alliant's recommended "recipe" for this bullet, verify at their website) I'm getting over1500+ fps. At 50 yards mine shoots point of aim (1-2" groups) with the open sight set at it's lowest setting and ~ 4" low at 100 yards. I have not shot many 100 yard groups with it but my last trip out to the range with a steady wind L to R the group was 4" including the flier and 2-1/2" without. I'm sure the groups would tighten up with a scope but I like this gun best with the open sights for a light, handy woods gun.

I haven't tried an Hornady XTP bullet in 44 caliber yet but my 357 1894 seems to like them. I'm going to the range today with another batch and we'll see how they do. I've heard the XTP is excellent on deer if not pushed too fast.

I took my stainless 1894 out a couple of weeks ago while doing some pistol shooting so we were only shooting 25 yards and I tried the Federal Cast Core 300 grain. Even with having trouble seeing the front site (old eyes) it shot the center out of the target. Several others on the Marlin Forum have liked that load as well. I haven't tried the Buffalo Bore with this gun yet but would like to. I would think they would work it depends on the rifle. It wouldn't hurt to clean up the chamber since it is a "new" rifle. But the rifle is surely strong enough. I've also had good luck with the white box Winchester 240 gr SP's. I don't really shoot for groups at 100 yards with it more like minute of rock.

Im curious blaine, if I could ask.....what did you pay for the 1894? I have a 75 model 1894 MArlin Im trying to sell and really need to know what to ask for it, I have it in the classified section now...thanks in advance, its in great shape

Thanks Blaine, I see at Guns America ones like the one im selling, even around the same year sell for much more than what im asking so, I feel pretty good, thanks

I shoot pretty much one load in my 1894S. Speer 270 grain GDSP, over 21 grains of H110. This shows a consistant 1550 fps from my microgroove barrel. Accuracy hovers around two inches at 100 yards, less than an inch at 50 yards.
this load works very good on Florida and Georgia whitetails and hogs.

The one I had loved 180 grain Sierra JHC bullets over 30-31 grains of H110. Velocity was in the 2200 fps range and accuracy was about 2" at 100 yards. Deadly for lung shots on deer.
A friend bought the rifle from me and shot cast bullets from it. He is a big caster and was not happy with the groups and sold it. I think the problem was that he was using plain base bullets that were a little too soft. I have a Marlin .41 Magnum that shoots hard cast gaschecked bullets just fine as long as they are run with full loads. It doesn't like low velocity target loads at all.
If you can find a copy of Verl Smith's book on cast bullets he states that MicroGroove rifling is excellent for cast bullets.

Bob