#2237012 - 06/03/08 04:52 PM
Marlin 44 or 45?
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tjm10025
Campfire Ranger
Registered: 06/28/05
Posts: 1587
Loc: Carmel, IN
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Got a question for those who may have owned, or still own, Marlin lever actions in both .44 mag and .45 LC.
If you were going to keep one, which one would it be, and why?
I know the .45 throws a heavier bullet, but I'm wondering about the differences in barrel twist and feeding issues, if any.
I don't favor one cartridge over the other, and I handload for both.
Thanks.
- Tom
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#2238960 - 06/04/08 05:59 PM
Re: Marlin 44 or 45?
[Re: tjm10025]
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340mag
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Registered: 11/12/03
Posts: 1233
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Ive owned in the past, four 44mag carbines and one ROSSI 45lc carbine, I still own two 44 mag carbines,theres not much advantage that I see in either caliber over the other but the 44 carbines I kept were by far the most accurate and both were 44 mags (a marlin and a browning)both push 300 grain bullets to about 1500-1600fps plus and both shoot into well under 2" groups off the bench at 100 yards with a decent rest,(the marlin does better on average, frequently under 1") I load 21 grains of H110, the bullet size(dia)hardness and lube is critical to accuracy
Edited by 340mag (06/04/08 06:05 PM)
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#2239899 - 06/05/08 08:19 AM
Re: Marlin 44 or 45?
[Re: 340mag]
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tjm10025
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Registered: 06/28/05
Posts: 1587
Loc: Carmel, IN
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... both were 44 mags (a marlin and a browning)both push 300 grain bullets to about 1500-1600fps plus and both shoot into well under 2" groups off the bench at 100 yards with a decent rest,(the marlin does better on average, frequently under 1") I load 21 grains of H110, the bullet size(dia)hardness and lube is critical to accuracy
Well, now, I was wondering about the use of 300 grain bullets with that slow twist in the Marlin. What is it, 1 in 38 inches?
What's your feeling on dropping the velocity of a 300 grain bullet to, say 1200 fps in that slow twist?
Sounds like you're lubing your own bullets. Casting, too?
- Tom
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I came here for the waters.
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#2240268 - 06/05/08 11:35 AM
Re: Marlin 44 or 45?
[Re: tjm10025]
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340mag
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Registered: 11/12/03
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"Sounds like you're lubing your own bullets. Casting, too?"
OH! YEAH!, I size then at .430 and lube them very well and if you drop the velocity the accuracy suffers, you also must seat them to the max length that feeds & functions
http://www.midsouthshooterssupply.com/item.asp?sku=0000690227
 , and I use a federal or winchester mag pistol primer
Edited by 340mag (06/05/08 11:39 AM)
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#2241557 - 06/06/08 06:23 AM
Re: Marlin 44 or 45?
[Re: tjm10025]
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T_O_M
Campfire Regular
Registered: 11/06/07
Posts: 518
Loc: Southern Oregon
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Well, now, I was wondering about the use of 300 grain bullets with that slow twist in the Marlin. What is it, 1 in 38 inches?
Don't have one right now, but I had a Win 94 trapper .44 mag that had no trouble stablizing a 300 grain jacketed bullet with that 1-38" twist.
For what it's worth, I think the newer Marlin .44s ... maybe just the cowboy rifles, maybe all of them ... use a standard (non microgroove) rifling with a 1-20" twist, so it's not even a discussion point with them.
As to your question about .44 vs .45, if I were to only have one, I'd go with .44.
Tom
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Red meat won't kill you. Green fuzzy meat will kill you. - Me
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#2242386 - 06/06/08 02:28 PM
Re: Marlin 44 or 45?
[Re: T_O_M]
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tjm10025
Campfire Ranger
Registered: 06/28/05
Posts: 1587
Loc: Carmel, IN
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TOM:
Marlin's web page says 1:38" for both the regular 1894 and the 1894 Cowboy.
FWIW, Buffalo Bore's web page has a few - more or less polite - words to say about Marlin's lack of clue in sticking with that twist. What's more, they recommend rebarrelling to something faster.
Don't know if I would do that. But I'm starting to think that choosing between the .44 and the .45 is going to be more a question of what kind of deal on the day I find it.
- Tom
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#2273026 - 06/24/08 03:37 PM
Re: Marlin 44 or 45?
[Re: tjm10025]
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T_O_M
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Registered: 11/06/07
Posts: 518
Loc: Southern Oregon
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Rats. You are right and I am wrong. Gol darn drats 'n' argh, I _hate_ it when that happens!! Thanks for setting things straight / keepin' me honest.
Tom
_________________________
Red meat won't kill you. Green fuzzy meat will kill you. - Me
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#2273309 - 06/24/08 06:44 PM
Re: Marlin 44 or 45?
[Re: T_O_M]
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340mag
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Registered: 11/12/03
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the 45 LC is more likely with its 1:20" twist to be accurate but don,t think the 44 mag is hopeless, I don,t know why or how but the 44 mags do a fine job from what I see.
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#2281767 - 06/28/08 08:57 PM
Re: Marlin 44 or 45?
[Re: 340mag]
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Mauserkid
Campfire Regular
Registered: 06/03/04
Posts: 270
Loc: Stevensville, Montana
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I have six 45colts, so I go 45 Marlin..
My other option is 41 mag....
Dont own a .429 any thing...
Later...
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