I was just a little bummed when I saw that Marlin recommends a max. OAL of 1.610 for their new 1894 in 44 mag. My SWC loads measure 1.690 I havn't seen much about handloading for the new Marlin, just the older ones. The Marlin Forum said SWC's are iffy at best and you'd probably have to have it worked on I really didn't want to shoot jacketed bullets.
Anyway, it's still unfired by me so I cleaned it yesterday and the bore was filthy with black soot. I wonder what ammo Marlin uses and how many rounds they fire before shipping it off?
Even at 1.690 the entire SWC nose of the bullet fits down the bore of the barrel all the way to the driving band so it's impossible for it to touch the lands in the chamber end. Now for the test to see if it would chamber 1.590 44 Special SWC's. I held my breath and it went in like the gun was built for them! I really want to use 44 mag. brass so here we go. Chambered glass smooth 2x Have I said I'm loving this rifle?
Anyone here load for any 1894 44 Magnum? I don't hunt anymore so all my 44 mag. loads are lubed 240-263 gr. SWC's with either 9 or 10 grs. of Unique. I used 8 grs. for years but they were just a little too weak and I have one SBH that shot them a little high even with the rear sight bottomed out.
Here are my questions:
1) Is there any reason why I shouldn't use these SWC's at that velocity? The last thing I want is leading. They don't lead my handguns.
2) Should I spring for powder coated SWC's just in case?
3) Should I run 1-200 jacketed bullets thru it before I start shooting the lead SWC's?
Thanks...
Anyway, it's still unfired by me so I cleaned it yesterday and the bore was filthy with black soot. I wonder what ammo Marlin uses and how many rounds they fire before shipping it off?
Even at 1.690 the entire SWC nose of the bullet fits down the bore of the barrel all the way to the driving band so it's impossible for it to touch the lands in the chamber end. Now for the test to see if it would chamber 1.590 44 Special SWC's. I held my breath and it went in like the gun was built for them! I really want to use 44 mag. brass so here we go. Chambered glass smooth 2x Have I said I'm loving this rifle?
Anyone here load for any 1894 44 Magnum? I don't hunt anymore so all my 44 mag. loads are lubed 240-263 gr. SWC's with either 9 or 10 grs. of Unique. I used 8 grs. for years but they were just a little too weak and I have one SBH that shot them a little high even with the rear sight bottomed out.
Here are my questions:
1) Is there any reason why I shouldn't use these SWC's at that velocity? The last thing I want is leading. They don't lead my handguns.
2) Should I spring for powder coated SWC's just in case?
3) Should I run 1-200 jacketed bullets thru it before I start shooting the lead SWC's?
Thanks...