Rifle vs Revolver in .44 Mag..

[stevemb]

So, the factories have backed down the pressures on .44mag loadings to allow for the aging of firearms. How does this factor in to my loadings for a brand new Marlin 1894 in .44mag/.44spec..? Your thoughts and opinions appreciated. stevemb

[stevemb]

Anything else that'll differ from the loading for Ruger handguns vs loading for the new Marlin 1894 .44mag/spec/ ? I know I have to pay more attention to COL and sharp shouldered bullet may feed, or not. Powder choices ? Have a 20" barrel on the Marlin vs 3" to 7 1/2" on the 44 handguns here. What powder choices would be better or cleaner for the levergun than the Unique and 2400 I use now ? Off the top of my head, IMR4227 ? stevemb

[brionic]

I'm not sure what you're asking. You're planning to load your own, so how Federal loads are configured should be irrelevant. The rifles haven't changed.

There are plenty of informative articles and columns available online by Fryxel, Kelly, Taylor, and others about loading for Marlins.

Keep it sane. Standard loads should gain anywhere from 250-300 fps from your carbine compared to those from your revolvers, +/-. 2400 and Unique are fine for special and magnum type loads, which, from your carbine, will turn into magnum and magnum+ loads. Personal favorites in this application are 296 and HS6/Power Pistol.

Our favorite factory load for hunting and "personal" use is the Hornady 300gr XTP @1350-1400 fps from the shorty Marlin.

[Seasons44]

Stevemb

you should have zero issues with pressures withe standard 44 mag loading, my bullet of choice is a 300 gr. WFN over 21.5 grains of 296 lit by a cci 350.

I have not tried the 320's in the Marlin so not sure if the LFN with properly chamber,but don't see why it wouldn't, I stopped at the 300's which grouped extremely well, I recommend a .433-.434 sized bullet, the 1-38 twist seems to find it to be the sweet spot for least amount of dispersion, though Lee had his 444 shooting lights out with undersized bullets, so each rifle is rule onto its self.

Hope this helps

[brionic]

I should add that you might look into the Ranch Dog cast bullets, designed specifically for Marlins. Although he no longer is selling the molds, there is talk of someone else picking up the business from him. www.ranchdogoutdoors.com

Carolina Cast Bullets sells the 265 gr RFNL gas checked version, and is a good guy with which to deal. carolinacastbullets.com/44_Special___44_Magnum.html On the Ranch Dog site this is referred to as a 275 gr. design.

[jgt]

I chose 4227 after looking in the Lyman cast bullet manual chart for my hunting loads for 44 magnums in a rifle. It seem to be a little slower burning on the burn rate chart also and I was looking for powders to take advantage of the long barrel in the rifle. I still want to try 680 and 1680. Things change depending on the bullet weight you use. Powders like lil gun for instance give different pressure readings and velocities that are undesirable in one bullet weight and desirable in others. It depends on what you are using for bullet weight and what you want for velocity. In revolvers it is hard to beat 296/h110, and 2400 is always good. If I wanted one round for both and was only hunting at close range; A load like ten grains of Unique works in both and is my go to load for everyday rifle and revolver type load.

[stevemb]

Yeah, IMR4227 looks to be a good option. Brionic ? I never mentioned Federal anything, so don't know what your talking about either. Am thinking, jacketed bullets 250-270grs, HP's that'll hold together thru big whitetails, or soft points,, or suitable cast bullets 255-280 or so, for same. ? stevemb

[Frank V]

I would stay in the book!
Marlins are strong, but comes a time if you need (really need) more power a bigger gun is advised!

[brionic]

Aug 13, 2013 10:36:27 GMT -5 stevemb said:

So, the factories have backed down the pressures on .44mag loadings to allow for the aging of firearms.

I picked Federal as an example. Maybe you were referring to a different factory.

Either way, downloaded factory offerings need not factor into your hand loads.

Good quality bullets, whether hollow point, soft points, or cast, will kill deer equally. Cast, in particular, need to be sized to your rifle.

Marlin used to, and may still, use a 1-in-38" twist which tends to limit bullet choices to 300 gr or so on the high end. Look up Glen Fryxell's Marlin articles on the LASC site.

The 300 gr. XTP I mentioned, above, is a favorite for hunting and HD. For day to day use, I like the Ranch Dog designed, gas checked RNFLs and Creeker's .44 Keiths.

Hope that helps.

[stevemb]

Yup, it does. Thanks guys ! stevemb

[jgt]

Marlin has always used a 1/38 twist in the 44 magnum rifles. They changed the width and depth of the grooves over the years but never the twist rate. When they went to ballard rifling they seem to tighten the specs a bit so the ballards shoot pistol size bullets much better.

[stevemb]

This jibes with what I'm seeing on the marlinowners forum. Most seem to be using .432-3 cast bullets to be successful. This with the micro-groove barrels. stevemb

[stevemb]

Also, few seem to report the pure joy and happiness that 300gr bullets give ya from say, a SBH,RH.. Seems the twist rate at best with nominal to 270-280gr or so, I can live with that as it was what I was warned about beforehand. stevemb

[bradshaw]

Stevemb.... your subject line, "Rifle vs Revolver in .44 Mag," points toward the fundamental 200 to 400 fps velocity advantage of the rifle, or carbine, with closed breach and 20" barrel. The question lurking between the lines, specifically focussed by reference to the Marlin lever action, correctly seeks strength comparison of revolver and lever action. In collaborating with Federal Cartridge on developing a .44 Mag silhouette load around the Sierra 220 Full Profile Jacket and 250 FPJ silhouette bullets, I pushed Winchester 296 and Hodgdon 110 into the "ROCKS & DYNAMITE" zone. I was cratering 1/2" mild steel pigs at 100 meters with the Sierra 220 FPJ from an S&W M-29 8-3/8" and Ruger Super Blackhawk. At the upper end, I determined the Smith would just get beat up, so I limited exposure. Accuracy passed from 2-3" @ 100 meters to 4-6". Don't remember velocity, but Oehler's Model 33 chronograph held damn small 10-shot extreme spreads. Federal told me of blowing a Marlin .44 with uppermost load, with an explanation of pressure dynamics which indicated spike behavior which the revolvers seemed to avoid.

I have never heard of pressure problems with a Marlin lever action fed SAAMI-pressure loads. I fully support advice of other forum members to stay within established pressures. During development of the .357 Maximum, Bill Ruger, Jr., made a transfer bar Hawkeye and a Ruger Number One in .357 Maximum. While I never pretended to speak for the Rugers or Sturm, Ruger, I severely doubt our .357 Maximum loads would have been entertained in a rear-locking lever action.

The ammunition and loading component manufacturers have very knowledgeable folk in house, and their council is valuable and free.
David Bradshaw

[stevemb]

Thanks guys. Its never been my intent to go beyond... Its just that I've been loading for a SBh since '80 or so, and a bunch of other Ruger SA and DA's since. I've seen the loading manual velo numbers drop 2-300fps from earliest loads to some factory loadings now. Was curious as to how this factors in, with a newly manufactured rifle, and looking for a powder more suited to the longer barrel. I grabbed a lb of IMR4227 to augment my 2400. All info and opinions will be carefully read. stevemb