New 1894

[Kentucky Shooter]

I just got a brand new Marlin 1894, and have it sighted in with Magtech 240 grain semi-jacketed softpoints. I was wondering about using some of my loads for my model 629. These are loaded with 8 grains of unique, 240 grain lead semi-wadcutters, which run around 930fps out of my 6" S&W. Would these make good loads for my new marlin? Would leading be a major issue? And how many rounds does it usually take with lead semi-wadcutters before a major barrel cleaning? Thanks for any advice.

[Lloyd Smale]

they should work great.

[Kentucky Shooter]

Thanks Loyd------what do you think about the cleaning issue I mentioned?

[markc]

Bought some of those Magtech's but haven't had a chance to shoot them yet.  I did see a commercial this weekend where Hornady has the pointed leverrevolution ammo in .44 mag and .357 mag now.   Might give those a try at some point...

[Chris Potts]

Can't speak for Lloyd about the cleaning issues, but I haven't found that lead is anymore problematic when it comes to cleaning.  At those velocities I wouldn't think that you would either.  If you were trying to push a plainbase bullet to max velocity in that rifle I think you would see some serious leading.  But gaschecks would take care of that.  I don't have a 44 but I have a 357 marlin.  It is not uncommon for me to put a couple hundred or more cast bullets through the rifle in an afternoon, and it doesn't normally have any serious fouling.  I will usually run a couple of patches through it just for good measure, but I don't know that I need to.

Chris

[Kentucky Shooter]

Chris-thanks for the reply---that is encouraging news. I am sure that 357 is a fun rifle to shoot!!

[Lloyd Smale]

ive got a 44p marlin that has probably 5000 rounds through it. Just about all lead and the barrel has never been cleaned. Trick is to match your velocity to your alloy and make sure bullets are sized properly for your gun. A small ammount of leading is easy to take care of by shooting a couple jacketed bullets through your gun to blow it out. Problem with marlin 44s is the barrel dimentions can vary quite a bit and some do great with cast and others are iffy. ANother problem is finding cast bullets with a nose that isnt to long to chamber well. Most 240s should run fine though. Buying commercial bullets kind of ties your hand for size and also most use a pretty crappy lube. If you do start getting a little leading try taking your boughten lubed bullets and putting a coat of lee tumble lube on them. It sometimes can do the trick. But if you keep the velocity down to around a 1000 fps i doubt if you will have much problem