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Post by HuntMeister on Jan 8, 2009 20:19:58 GMT -5
and had to get a fix ;D Looked at several and this one spoke to me last Friday. Put a Leupy compact 2-7X30ish-something on her. Can't wait to dial in the scope.  I bought a box of winchester whitebox 240GR JSP and ran a quick 20 rounds thru her just to make sure she functioned. Target was setup at 50 yards, open sights, standing, no rest and no adjustments to the sights. Pretty happy with the my group in the upper right. Others were Dad's shooting. After reading about others accuracy problems I was very relieved! Did have one problem though, several times a round would catch on the edge or lip of the case right at the throat of the chamber. I have since learned that this is a fairly common problem so I will have to send it off to Marlin for a tuneup.  |
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Post by swilk on Jan 8, 2009 20:43:48 GMT -5
Nice looking gun.
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Post by Old Ironsights on Jan 8, 2009 21:07:30 GMT -5
The new ones do need a bit of tuning...
I had a borrowed, older (pre safety), 1894 .44M out in November and could consistantly spin my 10" gong at 100yds offhand using Iron Sights & White Box ammo... so they can be plenty accurate...
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Post by dbd870 on Jan 9, 2009 5:30:59 GMT -5
Glad you got a good one, Nice choice in glass as well.
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Post by Decatur on Jan 9, 2009 5:44:44 GMT -5
Nice looking rig. I assume it's a .44 Mag?
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Post by HuntMeister on Jan 9, 2009 7:09:41 GMT -5
Nice looking rig. I assume it's a .44 Mag? Oooops, forgot to say, yes its a .44 |
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Post by TagTeamHunter on Jan 9, 2009 23:16:44 GMT -5
Nice gun. Congrats. May many deers fall under she.
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Post by greenhunter5364 on Feb 19, 2009 19:38:38 GMT -5
Try some Hornady 240 gr. hollow points or LeveRevolutions....those bullets are .430" dia. and seem to fit the bore better (at least they do in my Marlin). You may get tighter groups.
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Post by drs on Feb 20, 2009 10:08:07 GMT -5
You need to reload to find out the BEST & ACCURATE load for your Marlin.
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Post by HuntMeister on Feb 20, 2009 11:53:43 GMT -5
You need to reload to find out the BEST & ACCURATE load for your Marlin. I agree and I am well on my way to reloading. Bought my first reloading manual, Lyman 49th edition, and have poured thru it a couple of times. I just may buy another manual this afternoon, if not today it will be bought soon. Have been spending lots of time on reloading sites and watching ebay for reloading equipment too. I hope to get setup this spring at the latest. |
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Post by drs on Feb 20, 2009 14:04:39 GMT -5
HuntMeister; I found that either WW-296 or H-110 to be the best powders when using Hornady 240 grain XTP bullets. REMEMBER to separate brands of brass. I've found that the .44 Magnum is very fussy as to choosing brass for a particular load. I use either PMC or Remington Brass as I found Winchester's Brass run on the light side. Also use LP Magnum primers and crimp bullets into cases.
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Post by HuntMeister on Feb 20, 2009 17:29:43 GMT -5
HuntMeister; I found that either WW-296 or H-110 to be the best powders when using Hornady 240 grain XTP bullets. REMEMBER to separate brands of brass. I've found that the .44 Magnum is very fussy as to choosing brass for a particular load. I use either PMC or Remington Brass as I found Winchester's Brass run on the light side. Also use LP Magnum primers and crimp bullets into cases. Thanks for the details David, most valuable! Have you tried bullets besides the XTP's? Good or bad? I hear that 240- 270 grain range is the best weight for accuracy. What dies do you like for the .44? |
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Post by tenring on Feb 20, 2009 20:57:27 GMT -5
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Post by HuntMeister on Feb 20, 2009 22:20:16 GMT -5
Thanks tenring but in my case it isn't the dreaded Marlin Jam. I am hearing (have not contacted Marlin yet) that it is a issue in the throat, needs to be slicked up a bit. Someone also talked to the low quality of the crimp job on the ammo as another possible problem. I need to try some different ammo to see. |
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Post by drs on Feb 21, 2009 9:14:31 GMT -5
Thanks for the details David, most valuable! Have you tried bullets besides the XTP's? Good or bad? I hear that 240- 270 grain range is the best weight for accuracy. What dies do you like for the .44? Your Welcome!  No, I haven't used any other brand or weight of bullets in my Ruger M-77/44. I get great accuracy using Hornady's 240 gr. XTP bullets along with using either WW-296 or H-110 powders. I believe the rate-of-twist is a bit faster in my Ruger than what Marlin uses, so I might try some of the heavier bullets like the 250 or 300 grainer, but I am happy with what I am receiving from the 240 gr. XTP bullet. I have a set of Lee Dies for reloading my .44 Magnum. It's great as you don't have to "lub" your cases, and it has a seprate crimping die. R.C.B.S. or Dillion dies would also be a good choice. I have a set of RCBS dies I use for reloading my .44-40 Rossi Puma Rifle which works fine. |
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Post by HuntMeister on Feb 21, 2009 10:06:44 GMT -5
Yes, I believe the Marlin has a much slower twist than your Ruger. I understand the slower rate does not stabilize the +300 gr pills. Had I known that Ruger was bringing out the bolt gun again I would have probably held off for it. No regrets though, will have some fun with this levergun and maybe Momma will give me the green light for a Ruger bolt gun next year.
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Post by drs on Feb 21, 2009 10:36:32 GMT -5
You'll do fine with your Marlin Lever. Just develop some accurate loads. I once had a Winchester Model 94 in .44 Magnum that also had a slow twist. The best accuracy; I could obtain was something like 1.75" @ 75 yards. This was with Remington & Winchester 240 grain ammo. Even had a peep sight installed on the Winchester. You might try lighter bullets like the 200 grain XTP bullet as you could receive better accuracy than with the 240 grainer.
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Post by danf on Feb 21, 2009 13:23:52 GMT -5
Check into a Redding profile crimp die. I don't have one, but I've been told they are the best type of crimp for a .357 maximum, and should do equally as well for a .44 mag. FWIW, I've been told that W-296 and H-110 are essentially the same powder. Check your reloading books- some loads call for a LP primer, others call for a LP magnum primer.  |
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Post by HuntMeister on Feb 21, 2009 16:37:34 GMT -5
I will check that out! Just got back from the gettin place with a new book, ABC's of Reloading. Heard that this book is a good read.
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Post by drs on Feb 22, 2009 10:35:55 GMT -5
FWIW, I've been told that W-296 and H-110 are essentially the same powder. Check your reloading books- some loads call for a LP primer, others call for a LP magnum primer. You're right about WW-296 & H-110 being similar in burning rate. Both powders require a Magnum Large Pistol primer for good ignition. If one uses powders like 2400, IMR-4227 then a standard LP primer will work. Here's a good website on reloading the .44 Remington Magnum: www.reloadersnest.com/frontpage.asp?CaliberID=195 |
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No, I haven't used any other brand or weight of bullets in my Ruger M-77/44. I get great accuracy using Hornady's 240 gr. XTP bullets along with using either WW-296 or H-110 powders. I believe the rate-of-twist is a bit faster in my Ruger than what Marlin uses, so I might try some of the heavier bullets like the 250 or 300 grainer, but I am happy with what I am receiving from the 240 gr. XTP bullet. I have a set of Lee Dies for reloading my .44 Magnum. It's great as you don't have to "lub" your cases, and it has a seprate crimping die. R.C.B.S. or Dillion dies would also be a good choice. I have a set of RCBS dies I use for reloading my .44-40 Rossi Puma Rifle which works fine.
