Ruger/Marlin 1894 .44 mag

[buckey]

Due too accuracy issues Ruger replaced my 1894 .44 mag with another one. Customer service was first rate as I've come to know! So for those if any of you that might own one what has worked for you in regards to ammo or reloads ? Now I very well understand that lever limitations are going to get in the way of varmint rifle like accuracy so 4 inch or better 100yd accuracy would make me happy!!! Thanks

[bamaranger]

Glad to hear that Ruger/Marlin has treated you right on your new carbine.

Could you elaborate a bit "accuracy issues"? Group sizes, ammo types, distances fired when shooting for group. Was any explanation offered on what was wrong with the first carbine?

[buckey]

I ran somewhere around 150 rounds of ammo through the rifle. Pretty much tried every thing i could afford but $$$ for ammo is a luxury. Off the heavy bench with adj rest, Leupold 3X9 and rear bag groups ran from 3 to 5 inches at 50 yds and up to 6 at 100yds. To be honest at times a decent group would appear but not repeatable. The final straw was when the rifle no longer would eject a case from the chamber and i must add a cool down between shots was employed. When I contacted Ruger they sent a call tag and I shipped it back, about a week or so later they replied that the rifle could not be repaired and a new one would be sent to my FFL. I've dealt with Ruger before and received the same excellent service I've come to expect!!!!! New rifle is in, scoped up and ready to try, hope this one is better. So here's a Thank You to Ruger for making this deal as hassle free as possible!

[stagpanther]

Those little lightweight carbines require quite a bit of skill in making sure you have a repeatable hold shot-to-shot when banging out .44 mag loads--that's what I've experienced--not saying you're at fault.

[buckey]

Fully understand your point. Rifle, scope and ammo make for a rather hefty "Light Weight" rig! Have center fire bolt guns that are lighter.

[bamaranger]

Sounds like darn thing just wouldn't group. Few things more exasperating than that. Unrepairable.....not really a detailed answer from Ruger but pretty much puts the blame on the carbine and not you.

My dealings with Ruger customer service have all been positive.

[Jim Watson]

A new barrel would likely have fixed it but manufacturing costs are so low it is cheaper to throw the whole thing away and start over.

[buckey]

Just ordered some Hornady 225gr Flex tip factory loads to try and may order a box of the 265gr Flextip bullets to reload.

[44 AMP]

A new barrel would likely have fixed it but manufacturing costs are so low it is cheaper to throw the whole thing away and start over.

The rifle goes for $1239 MSRP. That's not low cost to me.

I think the "unrepairable" part is "uneconomically repairable" and there's possibly a lot more involved than just replacing the barrel with a new one.

I suspect the estimated labor costs to get it shooting "right" with a new barrel, meant it was cheaper for Ruger to just replace the rifle.

There's more to tuning a tube mag two piece stock lever action than there is a bolt gun with a free floated barrel. Potentially a lot more trial and error and that costs the company twice. Not just the time spent by their techs to find and fix problems, but also time spent on that rifle isn't being spent on other things.

AND, there's also the value of the PR involved. Add it all up and Ruger rapidly putting a new (better shooting) rifle in the customer's hands, making them happy, could well be worth more than the cost of a new rifle.

[buckey]

Very well said!!!!!!!

[buckey]

Yes, Good news!!! Went to the range this mourning and shot the new Ruger/Marlin 1894. Rifle shot excellent with some groups around 1.5 inches for 3 shots at 50 yds. Still need to fine tune for ammo preference but have a great start. Thank's to Ruger for great customer service!!