What size cast bullet mold should I buy for my .44 1894?

[bigoledude]

I bought my 1894 in .44mag in 2006.  I would like to shoot the same bullet in my Marlin and my 5 1/2-inch Redhawk.  My plan was to load the Marlin cartridges a little faster. 

I would like to know if it is absolutely necessary for me to slug the barrels before deciding on whether to go with a .429 or a .430 bullet?  Is it safe to assume that all the barrels from this time-frame would be very nearly the same?

The .44s will be used for Hog hunting year-round.  We do enjoy a good bit of paper-shooting also.  My initial choice was gonna be something in the area of 240-250 gr. with a flat nose.  What bullet mold is working best for you guys?

[Ranger J]

The bores in the 1894s tend to run a tad large.  While I don't shoot a lot of cast in mine I find that the Hornady xtps (430) shoot better than .429 bullets.  I would go with some 431 cast if I were you.  I find that the barrel takes the same combination that my Handi 44 does.  Surprise, they are both made by Marlin.  I shoot xtps fast or OT cast slow and get good results with both.  I didn't care much for this gun when I first got it until after a lot of trys I stumbled on this combination.  Now I am seriously thinking about taking it and the xtps deer hunting this year.  At least on the bonus deer part as I will probably try to put one in the freezer with the .308 or 45/70 first.

RJ

[Cheesehead]

Do not use a .429 mold. The accuracy is very poor in a Marlin 1894. I found this out the hard way. Still looking for a .431 mold or larger that will cycle through my 94. Good luck and keep us posted.

Cheese

[canon6]

When I had a Marlin 44, I found I got my best results,with a .431  260gr LBT (LFNGC)  it took some tweaking to get the COL down.Once I did all was well.     Doug

[Lloyd Smale]

ive shot cast in a lot of 44s and have yet to find one that did its best with 429. Some prefer 430 and some 431 but its rare that i get my best results with a bullet smaller or even larger then that. If it was just for the ruger id say to go 430 but if your throwing a marlin in the mix and want a bullet to do double duty id probably get a 431 sizer. If i wanted a ullet in the range you were talking id probably look at the 240swcgc rcbs mold. Ive had excellent results with that bullet. It feeds and shoots well in the marlins and is accurate and about any gun ive tried it in.

[Plainsman]

You need to check out Cast Bullits website!  They have had special runs of Lee molds made at .433" just for Marlins!! I have a six hole mold made this way!!

Here's a link:
http://castboolits.gunloads.com/index.php

[stubshaft]

I have an old NEI mould that casts 260gr. Keith SWC boolits at .430.  I think that they still make it and by all means check out the castboolits web.

[gypsyman]

Remember you can always add tin or linotype to fatten up the bullet. Lose a little weight, but not much. gypsyman

[Mikey]

bigoledude:  I would seriously recommend you go to either the Veral Smith website down the line here or to the Beartooth Bullets website for the best information you could ask for about shooting cast slugs down the bore of a Marlin rifle. 

Your bore is oversized - Marlin does that with their rifles that shoot pistol calibers - you can shoot jacketed slugs fine but cast won't shoot so well in a over sized bore.  Your bore may size out to .431 or even .432.  Both Veral Smith and Marshall Stanton (Beartooth Bullets) recommend fire lapping the bores of Marlin rifles that wear the micro-groove barrels, to shoot cast bullets accurately.  I followed their advice and bore lapped/fire lapped the bores on three 444 Marlin caliber rifles I have (all Winchester Big Bore 94s that carry or used to carry the Marlin micro-groove barrel) and have not gone back to shooting jacketed slugs since.  The accuracy improvements in my rifles are classic Veral Smith and Marshall Stanton improvements - all my 3 rifles now group to one hole from a bench at 100m with cast gas checked slugs in the 300-335 gn weight from Beartooth. 

If I wuz smart enuf to unnerstan how to post pictures I would post one of the last two hoggies I busted with my 444.  I have a good picture saved on my cell phone but hain't yet quite sure how to send it somewhere to post it. 

Check out Veral's forum - there should be more than enough information there to really help you - and fire lapping or bore lapping can be fun, it is not have to be a tedious process.  JMTCW.

[Sharps-Nut]

Not to jump a post but are the 1894 cowboy comp models usually oversized.  I was around a friends that was shooting less than steller with lead?   Its in 45 colt.  Any  insight apprectiated.

[Mikey]

Sharps-Nut:  I believe the Marlin bores are oversized.  The rifling, whether Ballard or Micro-groove will shoot jacketed bullets fairly accurately, but 2" at 50 yds isn't accurate in my book and shotgun patterns with cast bullets is not good at all. 

You should slug the bore on any Marlin rifle to determine its bore diameter, then lap the barrel to remove any roughness or minor obstructions.  Go to Veral Smith's Forum (Ask Veral Smith) for his thoughts on fire/bore lapping and then go to the Beartooth Bullets website to see what Marshall Stanton has to say about it, get the necessary materials and git'r done.  This process works for any bore, 45 or 44, 454 or 444 - I'm such a dang poet.......but it works.  HTH.

[Sharps-Nut]

Thanks.  Will have to explore making larger bullets for this.  I have a .454 sizing die like for the old pre war long colts.  Maybe it would work better.  Might cast and size a few and try it.  SN

[Cheesehead]

Thanks.  Will have to explore making larger bullets for this.  I have a .454 sizing die like for the old pre war long colts.  Maybe it would work better.  Might cast and size a few and try it.  SN

sHARPS,

Let me know what mold you end up using to accomplish this.

Thanks

Cheese

[Terbltim]

Sharps-Nut:  I believe the Marlin bores are oversized.  The rifling, whether Ballard or Micro-groove will shoot jacketed bullets fairly accurately, but 2" at 50 yds isn't accurate in my book and shotgun patterns with cast bullets is not good at all. 

You should slug the bore on any Marlin rifle to determine its bore diameter, then lap the barrel to remove any roughness or minor obstructions.  Go to Veral Smith's Forum (Ask Veral Smith) for his thoughts on fire/bore lapping and then go to the Beartooth Bullets website to see what Marshall Stanton has to say about it, get the necessary materials and git'r done.  This process works for any bore, 45 or 44, 454 or 444 - I'm such a dang poet.......but it works.  HTH.

A poet that didn't know it, but his feet show it...they're Longfellows! har har

When I slugged my 45/70 Marlin I could "feel" several tight and loose spots in the bore. I almost got a new barrel I was so horrified.
Veral Smith got me calmed down.
Fire-lapping is needed for all those gunz.
It's a bit of work but you sure won't regret it.