[James Gates]

As all you Forum Friends know...I took the leap and bought a Marlin 1894P in .44 Mag. This is the darnest little rifle I have ever shot. The barrel slugs out at .4315/.4320" with a little constriction at the ports. I worked the barrel over with a Flitz/jeweler rouge mix. I have run maybe 100 rounds of mixed ammo through it to break it in. The toughest jacket bullet I shot was WW new Partion bullets. "If" is was going to shoot jacketed, it would be those. The attached target speaks for itself. It was one one my better days. The target was shot with the open sights. The first low shot was with the shade on the front sight. After taking it off, I could see the bead better. I placed my hand under the forearm and on the rest. For some reason this rifle likes AA5 better than WW296<!--emo&???--><img src="http://beartoothbullets.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/confused.gif" border="0" valign="absmiddle" alt='???'><!--endemo-->? Could it be the harmonics of the 16 1/2" barrel???
I'm going to but the tried and true Williams reciever sigts on it with my old Merit adjustable peep. I'm estimating the velocity at 1500'/". Whatever it is it will kill anyting in the Swamp! That was the last 10 rounds of LFN GC's I had and when more arrive I will do further test. "I'm" convinced that the 250 LFN CG ( maybe a 265?) is the most balanced bullet for this little rifle! Bar none!
Best Regards, James

 

[MT Callahan]

James,

Good to see your enjoying that little carbine. Its good to let the devil persuade you a little sometimes.

I can't wait to try the 250 LFN GC out of my 1894. I really like the WFN design and its probably better suited to smacking the desert varmints I run into, but there's just something about that 250 grainer. Maybe Marshall has solved my dilemma with the forthcoming 265 grain WFN. All our problems should be so difficult :biggrin:

By the way your target didn't post. Care to try again so those of us who can't fight their way out of the house to shoot can see what bullet holes look like?

 

[James Gates]

Hello Friend MT....You betcha on that 250 LFN CG! I shot some groups I could not believe! Sent a scan of the target to Marshall to paste on. I still can't figure out why it likes AA5 so much better than WW 296? Both my SBH and the 1894P group better with it? I know I'm down a couple a hundred fps under top WW 296 loads, But, Oh Well..........!
How dead is dead! I heard a rumor from "down on the river" that a 12' LeZard Grande had a ,358" BTB 185 put through the "skull bone" and now is headed to make "shoes". But, you know how those rumors are!
I'm also looking forward to the 265's, but they will ahve to go a long way to beat the 250 LFN GC as far a balanced load
in both the handgun and rifle. We'll see!
Best Regards, James

 

[Bill M]

Hey James,
You know what's wrong with your 1894P?  It just might replace a lot of "hunting" handguns in the field.  I got one of those super handy critters a few months ago and they are fantastic.  What an amazing combination of portability and power.  It's easier to carry than some of my big handguns and shoots great.  You are right about the overall usefullness of the 250gr LBT bullet.  I've shot 280gr , 300gr and 325 gr with good effect but nothing I have shot so far matches the total versaility of the 250 gr.  I'm currently working with the 290gr LFNGC to see what is possible but the jury is still out.  

James, I hope you get a lot of enjoyment out of that 1894P.  It reflects a great effort on the part of Marlin.

God bless..............  Bill M

 

[James Gates]

Friend Bill...You took the words out my mouth..I was going to tell the team, if they bought the 1894P first, they would think twice about a handgun! You can "pack" it easier than some of the big pistols. I'm even thinking about bobbing my SBH back to the ejector housing and making it even more compact for a companion to the 1894P. I don't run the 250 LFN CG up over 1200/1300'/" so it doesn't make that much difference in the short barrel. Even with 1200'/" out of the pistol, the rifle's 16 1/2" tube should be pushing the same load close to the big pistols. What do you think? Most of my "work" with the pistol is out to 30 yards back to the muzzle as a back up...so 1200'/" is plenty up close! Most of my backup is fast, point and pull! What are you burning in your 1894P? Have you tried a shot load with Speer shot capsules yet? I did try some of my P2wee round ball loads out of the rifle. Nice small game load and shoots closer to sight setting out of the rifle than the pistol. Single load only so far on the capsules.
Best Regards, James

 

[Jeff Tidwell]

DEAR JAMES,
I HAVE AN 1894P ALSO.  SO FAR WITH JACKETED IT WILL DO ABOUT ABOUT THE SAME AS YOURS.  WAITING TO TRY 290 LFNGC WHEN THEY ARRIVE.  I FOUND THE FRONT BEAD TO SOMEWHAT HARD TO FIND IN LOW LIGHT AND REPLACED MINE WITH WILLIAMS FIRE SIGHT BEAD.. GREAT IMPROVEMENT.  JUST A THOUGHT FOR YA.
KEEP ENJOYING THE RIFLE AND THE MILD WEATHER.
JEFF

 

[James Gates]

Dear Jegg...These litle rifles are something. You are correct about the sights. I caught the light just right up at Fort White Gun Club on the last seeion. I've been shooting up the odds and ends in .44 Mag around ny gun room. The best factory jackted I shot was Winchester new Nosler Partion load. Since meeting Marshall and learning about hid bullets, I've been shooting them for serious work. I'm convinced that they perform better on game than jacketed. I've tried various powders, but have had none that grouped as well as AA5. I don't don't go to the top end with H110/WW296 and hang around 1200/1300'/" with the 250 LFN CG in my SBH. I believe it was 6 deer and 1 hog put down with that load this year. The muzzle blast is cut way back in the 1894P with AA5.
I'm going to change sights, but have not decided just what yet. I lean toward a flat post on front instead of a bead and a receiver rear.
Best Regards, James

 

[Jack Monteith]

Hi, Mr. Gates:
 A neighbour and fellow instructor picked up a 1894 in .44 Magnum recently. The only thing he's bagged so far was a fencepost, but he said the exit wound was impressive. I directed him over here and he sure likes your results. I guess it's time to shovel out the target frame and the benchrest. It's warm enough to use the Chrony without lighting a fire under it

Bye
Jack