So I took my grandson out to the range yesterday to shoot some rifles and when we were trying to get a group for the Marlin 1894 about the best group I could get using XTP's over 7.4 Gr Win. 231 was about 12" at 100 yards. This load shoots very well in my Ruger Blackhawk. Everything is tight and I promise I have not used the rifle barrel for a jack handle. Looking for some good recipes if you will.
https://www.24hourcampfire.com/ubbth...st_got_back_from_the_range_a#Post8171789BTW Ive tried easily a dozen different combos of bullets and powder and both jacketed and cast, yet thats the most accurate and consistent load yet found1 , in fact Ive used it for over 12 years with zero reason to change a thing, and its been very effective where I hunt deer and hogs
You need to go to a much slower burning powder.
340s load with H110 is a good (great) choice.
Also look at 2400, WW 296.
Don't expect MOA groups out of it, the caliber and gun were never designed for it. You should be able to cut those 12" groups at least in half. Minuet of a deer at 100 yards.
Please note, those rifles (1894 44s) kick like a mule with heavy loads. Hardest kicking gun I have ever owned, made my .338 feel like a .22. I swear after shooting a box of 210 Sierras with stout loads of WW 296 you could read the word "MARLIN" in black and blue on my shoulder from that hard plastic butt pad..
I happened along a "81" JM 1894 44 a few weeks ago and found WW296 as Anaconda mentioned works well with the 240g XTP's and 265g interlocks. The micro groove barrel likes a tight fitting bullet, The above mentioned are .430" and accuracy was excellent for open sights.
Using Speer 240 gr semi jacketed flat points and 22/1/2 gr of H110, Starline Brass ,Winchester primers, mine will do about 3 &1/2 inches at 100 yards.
Pretty severe recoil in my 4&5/8 barreled Ruger SBH
It's probably something to do with them marlin sights. I think they suck, for me anyway. I can't shoot mine very good past 50 yards, my eyes just don't focus like they used to. I need to put some peeps on it.
A stout load of WW 296 and Sierra 210s was my favorite load.
If 296/H110 doesn't work for you, keep VV N110 in mind.
It cut groups in half in my Ruger SRH. I lost 30 fps, but that is inconsequential in the field.
Much cleaner burning, too.
I've had good luck with Lil Gun in my rifle, using a 300 grain WFN bullet.
In my '71 M94 saddle ring I use 200 gr. XTP's over 12.8 gr. Herco
(clean burning), 215 gr. cast RFN over 8.5 gr. Unique (mild),
and either 240 gr. XTP's or Gold Dots over 22.0 gr. of 2400.
All group at about 2 1/2" @ 75 yds. using a Williams receiver sight. (Impact point is different except for the 240's.)
I shoot a full charge of 2400 under a 240 XTP. it was my ruger super blackhawk load and I just shoot it in the marlin as well. its about 3" at a 100. Good enough for my purposes/
Rem-
The 231 is way too fast for the rifle length barrel, like every one is saying. Cast bullets? Good unless you have and old Marlin with micro-groove rifling. They will work but you have to use a much slower powder with them.
To eliminate some of the sight influence, try 25yd and 50yd distances first. You said grandson. That means your eyes are not what they used to be with iron sights. The flake powders will give good results in both the handgun and rifle. They produce a larger gas volume longer(compared to ball) to help push in the longer barrel of the rifle. WW296/H110 work the best in all my handguns but I do not use it in my rifles. I use 4227 with the heavies in my rifles. That is not a good powder for the short barrels. I agree with using the receiver sights instead of the factory irons. But your grandson needs to learn the irons for sure.