[J.Solo]

Well I've passed on the used Micro Groove 1894 .44 Mag and ordered a new Marlin 1894 Lever Action in .44 Magnum. I see in the new Marlin catalog there is an * "Consult Owners Manual for details on ammunition use."

Can someone who owns one of the new guns with Ballard Rifeling tell me what is stated in the Owners Manual on ammunition loads?

What would be good Hard Cast Lead AND Jacketed .44 Mag Hunring Hand Loads to use for the following Pistol/Rifle combinations if only one Hand Load was to be carried?

4" S&W Model 629-5 and Marlin 20" 1894

5 1/2" Ruger Biesly Super Black Hawk and Marlin 20" 1894

Thanks - J.Solo

 

[RugerNo3]

The Marlin can be persnickety with lead bullet types as far as feeding. The S&W won't last long with Ruger capable loads. There is no pat answer with the parameters you've set. You might check out some sites that specifically cater to cast as well as this board to narrow a choice.

 

[Warthog]

Not from the handload side, but my 1894 and my Ruger Super Blackhawk Bisley Hunter both love the Win Supreme 250 grain Noslers. 4" at 100 yards with the Ruger (w/2X 20 Nikon and a bench) and 2" groups with the Marlin (and a 1.75-4X32 Banner).

 

[Kingfish]

My 1894S 44mag Marlin will cycle the Lyman #429421 Keith 245grn hard cast bullet at 1.690"-1.700". I doubt the owners manual will confirm this but this is one of my Marlin's favorite bullets loaded with 23.5-24.5grns LilGun for 1800fps with regular primers.

I bought some Sierra 300grn JSP bullets that say the OAL is 1.735" for loaded round. I could barely catch the canalure and (roll) crimp for a OAL of 1.710" and my rifle will barely cycle the rounds. I'm not sure how they will stabilize with the 1 in 38" twist but have some just loaded for max velocity using four different powders. I haven't tried them yet.

Like I said in the other post, my rifle loves the cast and swaged lead bullets if I match the velocity to the hardness of the bullet. I had to shoot quite a few jkt bullets threw the rifle to smooth out the bore but now it does fine. I hope you enjoy yours when you get it, mine has the ballard rifling but the 1 in 38" twist in the 20" barrel.

Bill

 

[Bucolic Buffalo]

I have one and they want you to know that you can't use a couple of types of rounds. You'll have to look in the manual to find out.

 

[Mannlicher]

While carrying a handgun and a rifle in the same caliber is appealing, using the same load in both limits the performance of the rifle. Oh, I know the Ruger can take the same loads, but believe me, you don't want to shoot some of the stiff rifle loads in a handgun. The word 'ouch' comes to mind.
While my Bisley Vaquero can fire the same 270 grain GDSP loads I use in my 1894S lever rifle, it is much harder to handle, and shoot accurately with the heavy loads.
My hunting load for the Ruger is a 240 LSWC at around 1000 fps. That load is accrurate, and effective.

 

[Jim n Iowa]

I have 1894 p it will feed PMC cone shaped bullets fine 240 jap. For hand loads I use a swcfp 265 (cone) from Rock Island. The hard cast is the way to go if you can feed it.