Author Topic: Marlin 1894 Micro-Groove vs Ballard accuracy?  (Read 3735 times)

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Offline 700 223

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Marlin 1894 Micro-Groove vs Ballard accuracy?
« on: June 20, 2008, 02:31:56 PM »
 Used to own a Micro-Groove Marlin 1894 in 44 in the late 80's and it was quite a shooter with Hornady 240 JHP. Also shot a 357 version that a friend let me borrow , it too was a Micro-Groove model and shot very well with 158 JHP.

I know the new Ballard rifling is suppose to be better for cast lead bullets but is the accuracy with jacketed bullets on par with the Micro-Groove barrel models?

I am thinking of a 357 mag 1894 for use with jacketed bullets.

Offline mattmillerrx

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Re: Marlin 1894 Micro-Groove vs Ballard accuracy?
« Reply #1 on: June 20, 2008, 07:48:57 PM »
That is a great gun and I do not think you will have any problems with the accuracy.  I have a question to add too 700 223's in order to maybe help ansewer the question.  Is microgroove the same as polygonal rifling?  I have an 1894 in 44 mag and a cz 75 with the polygonal and they look the same to me.  The polygonal at least in pistols is supposed to be more accurate.  I did read in one of my load manuals that for cast bullets in the 44 mag marlin to keep the fps above 1600, I believe to help with leading.  Will have to check that info again when I get home.

Offline dpe.ahoy

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Re: Marlin 1894 Micro-Groove vs Ballard accuracy?
« Reply #2 on: June 21, 2008, 02:47:32 AM »
No, they are not the same.  Micro has lands and grooves, poly would look more like a stop sign with no lands sticking up.  DP.
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Offline glshop20

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Re: Marlin 1894 Micro-Groove vs Ballard accuracy?
« Reply #3 on: January 09, 2009, 03:56:04 AM »
If you are using jacketed bullets the micro-groove barrels are fine.  If you want to shoot lead or jacketed the ballard is a better choice.  The micro-groove barrels tend to lead up faster.

Offline BBF

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Re: Marlin 1894 Micro-Groove vs Ballard accuracy?
« Reply #4 on: January 09, 2009, 11:00:53 AM »
  I did read in one of my load manuals that for cast bullets in the 44 mag marlin to keep the fps above 1600, I believe to help with leading.  [/quote]

I would think it is the other way around,keep it below 1600fps ;)
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