1894ss and .44 Special Overall Cartridge Length

[bhk]

I've been thinking about buying one of these, but when I read Marlin's minimum cartridge length for .44 specials in this gun I get worried. Marlin recommends a minimum length of 1.535 inches, yet my favorite .44 special load is with a Hornaday 240 XTP at a length of 1.475 with the bullet properly seated to the cannalure. I expect most Hornaday jacketed bullets would load to this same length, as might many other factory jacketed bullets.

Anyone have experience with jacketed loads of this length in their 1894s?

[J Miller]

bhk,

The 1894SS is chambered and tailored for the .44 Magnum cartridge. It's length is around 1.60" +/- if I remember right. So Marlin is giving you a minimum length that their designers have determined will feed and chamber properly through the action of the average 1894 chambered for the .44 Magnum.

Some will feed shorter and or longer than standard cartridges, and some are length critical. Each gun is an individual. You won't really know until you buy it and try your favorite load to see how it works.

Joe