loading for the 44 mag rifle Marlin 1894

[dvndog]

I have been reloading for about 10 years now and picked up this marlin. This thing is pretty finicky when it comes to reloads. Anyone have some favorites that slide into the action smooth. I reloaded some 180gr cast with 18 gr of 2400 and the action seemed good , but slide bigger stuff in there and it has a hard time coming up into the action. Anyone else have this problem.

Any help is good help

Thanks

[rg1]

I reload for a Winchester Trapper 44 Magnum and a Marlin 357 mag rifle and use Hornady's recommended overall length of 1.600" in the 44mag and 1.590" overall length in the .357mag and have not had any problems. That's using Hornady 240XTP in the .44mag and 158XTP in the .357. I use Win296 or Accurate Arms #9 in both using Hornady or AA data. Really doesn't answer your question though.

[DMZX]

I have a Marlin 1894P that I use reloads in. I have not had any trouble with 200gr or 240 gr XTP's. Or any .44 Spl loads I have ran through it.

Are the rounds hanging on the ramp or hanging up going into battery?

I know that my Marlin felt a bit rough when it was new, but the action smoothed out quickly with use.

[Dave P]

My Cowboy does find up to 240 gr -- have not tried any larger.

[somerled]

Cast SWC Keith-style bullets with the large driving bands will hang up in some lever rifles. If you want to shoot cast bullets, try some of the bullets designed more for cowboy action work.

[crowbeaner]

I load for the .44 rifle and find that some lead bullets have to be seated deeper into the case and crimped just over the front driving band to cycle properly. My older M94 liked the RCBS 44-240-SWC loaded over 17.5 of 2400 or 18.5 of WW 630. Seat to just put the front edge into the case and crimp in a seperate step. Jacketed bullets are easier to load, but trim your cases to make sure they are all the same length, and DON'T over crimp; the case will buckle slightly and cause the cartridge to chamber with difficulty.

[azredhawk44]

With your cast LSWC rounds, the design has a sharp rim of the wadcutter base that can snag during feed, and if you changed your bullets to LRN or LRNFP you'd have better luck.