MARLINMAN - Other Marlin Junkies Pls Help...

Old Ironsights · Post by **Old Ironsights** » Fri Jan 04, 2008 1:05 pm

Lotta grousing about M94 .44s and accuracy issues.

A seemingly common sentiment

"There's no way anybody should have to spend $450-$500 for a rifle and put this much effort into getting it to shoot. You might get a good one,,,you might not. I won't make another attempt on an 1894 when I can spend half the price and get one that shoots like the Handi."

http://huntingindiana.proboards52.com/i ... 751&page=2

http://huntingindiana.proboards52.com/i ... 473&page=1

How would you answer them?

gumpond · Post by **gumpond** » Fri Jan 04, 2008 1:51 pm

Never used a Ruger 44 though I did trade a Mini 14 for a shotgun one time. Couldn't see a reason to have a 223 shooting 4" groups. A 44 is a different proposition. My son has drafted our model 94 Marlin in 44 as his, go to, deer gun. He has a Browning Bar 30-06, a handirifle in 308, a Marlin 35 Remington, and a Marlin 30wcf. He still takes the 44 Marlin every time. Off hand groups 2" no problem.
I also have a Browning m92 in 44 and a Rossi m92 in 44. They stay in the closet. Fun to shoot but just not quite as accurate as the Marlin.
The Marlin 94 is an older pre-safety, microgroove?
That's just my experience.

cutter · Post by **cutter** » Fri Jan 04, 2008 2:00 pm

The Marlins have oversized bores? When did that happen?

I've never seen a Marlin 94 with poor accuracy, and trust me, I've seen a lot of 94's. My sis has killed deer out to 120 yards with her open sighted 44mag, but of course she can shoot...

Leverdude · Post by **Leverdude** » Fri Jan 04, 2008 2:04 pm

How would you answer them?

I'd tell them to buy what they want. But, I dont know of any lever action that costs half of a 1894. Are the Rugers $200 new?

J Miller · Post by **J Miller** » Fri Jan 04, 2008 4:20 pm

Old Ironsights said on HUNTING INDIANA:
What little I've shot of Marlin "square bolt" 1894 PCRs I've found them to be decent, reliable and generally accurate guns... but I haven't shot many of them. FWIU (general chatter) much of the .44's "accuracy issues" have to do with the microgroove rifling. But I dunno.

I'm personally not a fan of the Square Bolt M94s for strength & aesthetic reasons. I much prefer the 1895/336 "round bolt" Marlins... but again, that's not an accuracy thing, it's a "how hard can I push it" thing.

OI, the micro grove barrels haven't been used on the .44s since they started pushing the Cowboy rifles. They've gone back to standard rifling.
The micro grove rifling will shoot lead accurately IF the shooter is willing to work with his rifle and find the right diameter bullets for it.
Same thing with any other gun.
Why is it a "how hard can I push it" thing? The .44 Mag as it sits, right out of the factory box will take anything on this continent. Why abuse it?

Old Ironsights said on HUNTING INDIANA:
And nobody should be even thinking of using a PCR at 300 yds - velocity or energy notwithstanding. The BC of pistol bullets means "in the dirt" well before 300yds regardless of speed.

OI, there are those of us who have and can shoot pistol caliber rifles AND hand guns well beyond 300 yards. Elmer Keith was fond of doing it, I've done it and so have others. Don't mean to be a nit picker, but that statement is not correct.

Now back to your question here: "How would you answer them?"
If I were a member on that forum I'd be likely to ignore the thread. It sort of struck me as a Marlin / Ruger version of the old 45 ACP / 9mm argument.
Each person has their own tastes, likes and dislikes. Let each buy what they want.

Joe

Old Ironsights · Post by **Old Ironsights** » Fri Jan 04, 2008 4:43 pm

J Miller wrote:
... Why is it a "how hard can I push it" thing? The .44 Mag as it sits, right out of the factory box will take anything on this continent. Why abuse it?
That's just because I like to play with loads - and why the load books have "Marlin" specs for the 1895 and not the 1894...

OI, the micro grove barrels haven't been used on the .44s since they started pushing the Cowboy rifles. They've gone back to standard rifling.
The micro grove rifling will shoot lead accurately IF the shooter is willing to work with his rifle and find the right diameter bullets for it.
Same thing with any other gun.

These guys are mostly complaining about innaccuracy with factory fodder,and whining that they might have to get a Ranch Dog Mold.

OI, there are those of us who have and can shoot pistol caliber rifles AND hand guns well beyond 300 yards. Elmer Keith was fond of doing it, I've done it and so have others. Don't mean to be a nit picker, but that statement is not correct.

AFAIC it is when discussing deer hunting... which is what the thread was about.

I wouldn't use a .45acp to shoot a goblin at 185 either... but it sure is fun to bang a gong at that range.

Leverdude · Post by **Leverdude** » Fri Jan 04, 2008 7:16 pm

That's just because I like to play with loads - and why the load books have "Marlin" specs for the 1895 and not the 1894... Wink

Thats because of the calibres involved no?
Theres no need for special 44 mag Marlin data since all 44 mag guns are strong enough for modern 44 mag loads.
The 1895 has separate data because of the great variation in strengths of different 45/70 chambered firearms.

Least thats my take.

Old Ironsights · Post by **Old Ironsights** » Fri Jan 04, 2008 8:19 pm

Leverdude wrote:
That's just because I like to play with loads - and why the load books have "Marlin" specs for the 1895 and not the 1894... Wink
Thats because of the calibres involved no?
Theres no need for special 44 mag Marlin data since all 44 mag guns are strong enough for modern 44 mag loads.
The 1895 has separate data because of the great variation in strengths of different 45/70 chambered firearms.

Least thats my take.

Yah.

OTOH, put a 16grx180gr "junior" load into an 1873 and watch what happens...

You can push a W92 waay farther in any caliber than a M94... and you could push a M95/336 further than a M94.

That's all I'm suggesting

Leverdude · Post by **Leverdude** » Fri Jan 04, 2008 8:35 pm

Yah.

OTOH, put a 16grx180gr "junior" load into an 1873 and watch what happens... Shocked

You can push a W92 waay farther in any caliber than a M94... and you could push a M95/336 further than a M94.

That's all I'm suggesting

Thats why I was very surprised when they chambered the 73's in 357.

But, I doubt there will be different categories of 44 data popping up for different guns. Since thers no data, for me anyway, its a moot point.
I just got a 44 mag 336. Theyre out there.

But I dont know that its wise to blow by published data with one.

Dakota Mike · Post by **Dakota Mike** » Sat Jan 05, 2008 12:45 am

10 rds Marlin 44Mag Cowboy, Marble tange sight. This is 50yds off hand. What is considered accurate? The two fliers must be the rifles fault

I have five different Marlins and as far as I am concerned they shoot great My 95 45-70, off bags, with Marble tange put eigth rounds in four inches at 200yds. and yes I have a photo.