Marlin 1894 44 mag

[Brad]

The bullets are getting a little gas erosion the the corners of the base. I doubt it is having any real effect on accuracy as it isn't leading to cutting along a land, at least not that I can see.

Not sure what the exact proper term is but there certainly is enough pressure to reshape the nose a bit. The band ahead of the crimp groove is tiny, not even a parallel section before the nose taper begins. After firing the rifling engages the nose is spots the lands don't even touch on unfired bullets.

 

[Glen]

Glad you're happy with it! Since you're shooting H110, I suspect that a good hearty crimp will tighten things up a bit. I would also try a magnum primer (e.g. CCI 350). I can't speak for your SRH, but my SBH really likes that bullet sized .431".

 

[Rick]

Glen is spot on, switch from the CCI 300 to the 350.

How much does that bullet weigh in your alloy?

.
..

 

[Brad]

They are running 283. Right after casting and water dropping they are 15 BHn. The ones shot today were cast yesterday. I figure after a week or so they will be 18-20 BHn.
I have some CCI 350 primers. I got best results in the SRH with standard Federal primers. Might try them here too?
The SRH definitely likes a .431 bullet. The Marlin seems to prefer a little more girth, I just need to convince the dies they are OK.

 

[Rally Hess]

Your getting close Brad, way better than I'm doing. I got the scope squared away and it is shooting "patterns" rather than groups. I had everything sized to .430 and all my .44's like it except this 1894. I hand lubed 5 bullets and loaded them as cast (.433) and it started to shoot. The last five are the holes circled, and I was adjusting the scope down. The barrel was leading up from the first 15 shots at .430. I'm going to cast some with a little harder alloy and pan lube them. I've got an extra .429 sizing die I could alter also, so maybe that is an option for this rifle. Good news is my Ruger 77/44 likes this bullet too. The 1894 likes the Winchester 240 FP so it may just stay a jacketed rifle.

 

[Brad]

Did more shooting today. Same load, the Lee group buy 429640 sized .433 and 21.5 gr of H110.
Chrony worked today. Average for 10 shots was 1607 with an SD of 6. I was shocked at how consistent the velocities were.
Are a string of 10 is fired they start drifting to the right. Something is rubbing somewhere. I have a little work to do. Might as well smooth the action some too.

I fired a group at 100 just to see. Nothing great. It too showed the right drift as the string went on.

I single loaded for these so it isn't a matter of changing dynamics as the magazine empties.

Time to read more of McPherson's "Accurizing the Factory Rifle". He has a large section on things that aid in getting better groups from Marlin rifles.