Marlin 1894 .44 mag ammo

southpaw26888 · 05-21-2009, 05:02 AM

Looking at Cabelas and SG, there seems to be more and more choices of ammo for lever action rifles. I recently received a 1894 .44 mag and am not sure what bullets to use in this gun. I tried some 240 gr American Eagles and go a group of about 6 inches at 75 yards. Can anyone tell me what grain and what ammo shoots best out of their 1894's. Also, any idea what kind of speed and KE you get from the .240 grain bullet?

Thanks

DeerandbearhoG · 05-21-2009, 01:43 PM

Stick w/ 240 grainers! The marlin for some stupid reason has a slow twist, 1in 34 I think, and dont stabilize heavier bullets well I found. I used some cheap(not anymore) 240gr soft point PMC loads for deer , and it went full length through a big doe at 20yds. I also used 240gr xtps in handloads 1700fps and flattened 2 nice hogs in TX in 06'.

nyorange · 05-27-2009, 12:23 PM

6 inches at 75 yds means something is wrong with your gun. Check the linkage/barrel band between the magazine tube and the barrel, clean the gun and tighten up the connections. If it continues to shoot that bad then send it back to marlin. Something else to consider is what type of sights your using and what kind of groups you get with those sights in other types of guns. Don't mean to discredit your shooting but I have owned alot of marlins in all calibers(at least 2 94's in 44mag) and none have ever shot that bad. I get better groups from a unrifled slug in a shotgun barrel. Take care.