Author Topic: Would you purchase a 1894 44mag, if you don't reload? (Read 2075 times)

inthere10 · « **on:** March 08, 2009, 04:33:13 AM »

I'm considering the 44mag, but I don't reload. From what I have been reading the barrels can be slightly over bored, thus not as accurate with factory. If your of the opinion of buy it, what grain bullet and brand ammo would you suggest.

Thanks

mattmillerrx · « **Reply #1 on:** March 08, 2009, 01:07:40 PM »

I bought mine before I reloaded. It has excellent accuracy with factory ammo. I tried 240gr from Winchester and PMC and used both to hunt with. The most accurate I have found was the 200gr Magtech ammo. It will not shoot 300gr ammo very well at all but this is due to the twist rate not over bore. All of this was with jacketed bullets, My handloads so far I have only tried jacketed bullets and my load equals that of the magtech ammo. I am about to try, some cast bullets in it. Many say they won't shoot them well, cause of the microgroove rifling but I have done my home work on how to make them work and believe I will have no trouble with them.

I like the gun. I would do as I did and try four or five types of ammo and see what it likes, every gun is a little different in that.

Ranger J · « **Reply #2 on:** March 09, 2009, 01:38:37 PM »

Just feed it Hornady 240, 200, or 180 gr XTPs and it will do fine. 180 gr OT hardcast over a load of Trail Boss shoot good too.

RJ

mwhaught · « **Reply #3 on:** March 09, 2009, 02:53:52 PM »

I bought mine last fall. I was gifted an RCBS reloader, but don't have it set up yet. I'm having good results with the Winchester 240 JSP and American Eagle 240 JHP.

KAYR1 · « **Reply #4 on:** March 09, 2009, 02:58:49 PM »

The Hornady flex-tip ammo shoots great in mine. I reload, but cannot match it's ballistics. You are in very good shape with todas'y factory ammo. The only problem is that is getting expensive, in my opinion.

timothy · « **Reply #5 on:** March 13, 2009, 02:45:55 PM »

The only cheaper caliber would be 357 so why not. Of course this would be limited to hunting so untill you start to reload you wont do much plinking.

mattmillerrx · « **Reply #6 on:** March 13, 2009, 04:27:17 PM »

I got a couple of boxes of the leverevolution ammo try out as well. Mainly just out of curiosity but if it shoots good I will try some of those bullets when they get them out to load with.

bilmac · « **Reply #7 on:** March 13, 2009, 07:08:45 PM »

Makes more sense than owning a centerfire handgun and not reloading. Most can do a credible job of shooting with a rifle without a lot of practice, but to be good with a handgun requires bushels of bullets.

efremtags · « **Reply #8 on:** March 14, 2009, 02:04:22 AM »

Get a marlin 22 and put the same sights on it as the 44, and you will not have a disadvantage in terms of practice. It's probably cheaper to get a 2nd gun than buying a reloading press and dies anyway...lol.

I had the old ruger deerslayer and 10/22 combo. I also have a SW 629 and 617 combo and a 1895G and henry combo. The henry is closest in stock configuration to the guide gun.

I reload and shoot my big bores, but not too often, probably 100-150 rounds a year for each. But I shoot like 1000 rounds a piece out of each 22 I own.

There is no need to reload in terms of finding an accurate hunting load. There are a lot of good loads out there, 1 has to shoot well.

mannyrock · « **Reply #9 on:** March 17, 2009, 05:26:32 AM »

My understanding is that the overbore issue with the .44 was solved a few years ago by a different type of factory barrel. In any event, most of the people I have talked to with a newer .44 have very few problems with factory ammo.

I can highly recommend the .357. Very accurate with all types of factory ammo. (Commonly 1.5 inch groups at 100 yards). Plus, cheaper ammo, very little recoil, good for deer to 100 yards with the right ammo, and good for zombies to 200 yards. If you buy one, then you will shoot it alot, and you will forget about a .44. :-)

Regards,

Mannyrock

bilmac · « **Reply #10 on:** March 17, 2009, 09:02:09 AM »

I don't believe in trying to change a guys mind if he has his heart set on something, after all guns are all about the heart aren't they?

That said I agree with Manny. I had a 44 for a few years and sold it Don't miss it at all. I've had a 357 for a long time and it will never get sold. I guess if I lived in a place where it was practical to hunt big game with I may have kept the 44, but the 357 is just fun to shoot, so it stays.

Graycg · « **Reply #11 on:** March 18, 2009, 01:32:39 AM »

Little secret here, and I know it's gonna draw fire from some,
but...I have both a 357 and a 44, old fashioned type with microgroove barrels.and a new one in 45 LC with Ballard type rifling...the secret is they all shoot great- lead bullets, jacketed bullets, All have peep sights and all will shoot 1.5 inch groups at 50 yards all day long...best my eyes can do. I think if I only had one 1894 Marlin it would be a 44, most versatile of all the rounds, especially for the non-handloader.

regards,
Graycg

bilmac · « **Reply #12 on:** March 18, 2009, 02:37:10 AM »

I agree with your assessment if you are going to hunt with it. Here in Wyoming you would have to be willing to pass up many many shots if you want to hunt with a pistol caliber. I have shot deer with both the 357 and 44 and decided I don't have the discipline to never stretch the barrel. So for me since I don't hunt big game with it, the 357 would be the more logical choice for a non reloader because of the ability to shoot 38 specials which can be had for a lot less money. Of course you have made the best choice of all and have both guns plus one. Enough with the trick questions now.

Oldshooter · « **Reply #13 on:** March 18, 2009, 03:00:20 AM »

I presently dont have a 44mag lever gun. But I want one sooooooo bad! I hunted with a model 29 S&W for years and I love the caliber. So if any one is tired of their old 44 mag. I would be glad to take that problem off their hands.

jmabrey · « **Reply #14 on:** March 18, 2009, 06:57:13 AM »

I own a Marlin 1894 44 mag. I reload, I shoot factory ammo(previously purchased before reloading) two words come to mind with this gun and any ammo-accurate and fun!!.
I was shooting 240 gr. lswc hand loads and Fiochhi factory loads with xtp's 2 days ago--15-20 mph crosswind at 100 yards at a deer silhouette target-bench rest in the middle of my cousins pasture field(no cattle) It was shooting 3-4" groups 8"-10" to the right with a cross wind from the left.
I recently put a Toby Bridges Leatherwood scope on it(has multiple crosshairs for 100-200-225-250 yards)

Now the reason I mentioned cattle pasture--I shot at a pile of manure that was roughly 6" high and 18 long and a measured 225 yards away. After I found the right cross hair for the load I hit that pile 8 out of 10 times at 225 yards in a 15-20 mph crosswind. I used the 250 yard cross hair dead on.

Sh-t was flying-gives a whole new meaning to "shooting the sh-t".

This gun is fun and accurate. But others make a good point-357 is a good round and I could envision owing one of those also-I reload that round too.
which ever you buy your going to have fun. If you hunt deer, go with the 44-if not get the 357 good luck, john

HL · « **Reply #15 on:** March 19, 2009, 01:51:24 AM »

I have one and also reload, but to answer your question,,,,,,Yes. And after you finally decide to start reloading, you will have all the brass you could ever want.

Lloyd Smale · « **Reply #16 on:** March 20, 2009, 01:55:30 AM »

theres probably not another cailber that has such a wide varitity off factory ammo available. YOur about guranteed with enough expermenting to find something it likes.

Bama Bill · « **Reply #17 on:** March 28, 2009, 06:21:20 AM »

I've done a lot of sampling to see what my 1894 "likes" best. I've fed it Winchester 240 gr, Winchester Partition Gold 250 gr, Winchester Platinum Tip 250 gr, American Eagle 240 gr, Remingtion 240 gr, Hornady 240 gr, and Black Hills 240 & 300 gr. So, far it seems to do best with the Black Hills 240 gr(although, this ammo is quite "dirty"). I've got some Fiocchi 240 gr, Magtech 240 gr, and Gold Dot 240 gr that I will be testing on my next trip to the range. But, it seems that the best I can get out of my 1894 is about 2+ inch groups at 50 yds. It took me a year to find my 1894 (it seems that demand exceeds production) and in the interim I had purchased a Henry Big Boy in .44 mag. The Henry likes the Winchester Partition Gold 250 gr the best (1" groups at 50 yds), but out performs the Marlin with any given ammo. I suspect that the trigger is the factor in this performance difference. The Henry has a clean, crisp trigger pull with no "slop" ... just increase pressure until the gun goes bang. Whereas the Marlin's trigger is a bit sloppy and has some creep making consistant firing difficult. But, I'm not positive this is the issue. Have any of you done in trigger work on your 1894's or otherwise been able to improve performance?

kiddekop · « **Reply #18 on:** March 28, 2009, 09:53:20 AM »

Quote from: inthere10 on March 08, 2009, 04:33:13 AM

I'm considering the 44mag, but I don't reload. From what I have been reading the barrels can be slightly over bored, thus not as accurate with factory. If your of the opinion of buy it, what grain bullet and brand ammo would you suggest.

Thanks

Buy some www.grizzlycartridge.com in 44mag

Graybeard · « **Reply #19 on:** March 28, 2009, 11:23:42 AM »

Personally I see no reason why the fact you do or don't reload should have any bearing on the decision to buy or not to buy the rifle.

dpe.ahoy · « **Reply #20 on:** March 29, 2009, 05:52:35 AM »

If ya find one, buy it then keep your eye out for a 357. I have had an old 336 in 44 mag and a 1894 in 44 mag and was able to kill mule deer with both. Right now I have 2 other 44mags and 5 357's, only one is marlin but not gonna get rid of it. All the pistol calibers are a hoot to shoot, so get a 45 colt too. DP

buckweet · « **Reply #21 on:** April 03, 2009, 05:58:38 PM »

Quote from: Oldshooter on March 18, 2009, 03:00:20 AM

I presently dont have a 44mag lever gun. But I want one sooooooo bad! I hunted with a model 29 S&W for years and I love the caliber. So if any one is tired of their old 44 mag. I would be glad to take that problem off their hands.

ruger lever action ?

stubshaft · « **Reply #22 on:** April 03, 2009, 08:16:09 PM »

Yes,
Although one of the guns that I will never get rid of is an old 1895 .357mag.. Lower recoil, greater mag capacity and can shoot anything from wadcutters to 180gr JHP. Either one is fast and comfortable to carry and comes up readily to shoot. Put a rear peep and you extend the range.

454Puma · « **Reply #23 on:** April 06, 2009, 07:04:43 PM »

If you don't shoot alot-sure! But with 44 mags running at $40+ a box of fifty now a days that gets exspensive quick! I fyou shoot alot you definately want to get into reloading!

myronman3 · « **Reply #24 on:** April 08, 2009, 07:26:40 AM »

i am with g.b. on this. what bearing doesnt that have at all?

rusty shackelford · « **Reply #25 on:** April 08, 2009, 10:01:08 AM »

ruger lever action ? was ask
yes ruger 99/44 [44mag]
99/22m [22mag]
and a 99/17hmr

as for the marlin just get it ........
it is a marlin and will shoot good if not great with the right loads .
reloading will come soon , heck a lee hammer press is about 25.00 bucks
great way for a single caliber to start reloading .
just think now, you will need a pistol in that caliber too..........
it never ends.lol

rusty

BRL · « **Reply #26 on:** May 27, 2009, 11:32:26 AM »

I want one of these...

http://www.drcguns.com/product_2.html

Don't know why...just want one!

I had really wanted a .44 lever for many years. Now, for some reason, I'm looking at the .35 Remington. But, if I wait long enough, I'm sure that will pass. Then I'll get a Marlin take down rifle in .44. Who knows, I'll probably end up with both at some point. I really like the .35 Rem ballistics as a deer/hog rifle.