Factory Load That's Too Hot For Marlin 1894 in .44 ?

[Seagoing]

Has anyone ever heard of any factory load that is too hot for a modern Marlin 1894 in 44 cal ?

I read somewhere where a guy was saying that the 180-gr. round shouldn't be used in the rifle because the pressure built up to an excessive level.

He was saying that this round was designed for a pistol, because the bullet would exit the shorter pistol barrel before the pressure built up to an excessive level.

It just doesn't sound right to me that ANY factory 44 load is too hot for any modern .44 chamber.

But then, I don't know everything.

[C. Cash]

Welcome Seagoing. I'll let someone else answer your factory ammo question as I'm not aware of all that's out there. As far as the 180 gr. goes, there no reason that it should create pressure problems that I can think of. Less bullet weight should equal less pressure overall than eqivalent loads for heavier bullets. 180 is light for a 44 as I'm sure you know. There were some HOT 180 grain Federal loads(at least from the muzzle blast and report standpoint) back in the 80's, but don't think they would pose any over pressure problems in a Marlin myself. As with everything, before shooting, check, check and recheck before you shoot. That will keep you safe and gives you confidence when you pull the trigger.

[TedH]

As far as what you heard about the 180 gr. loads, I say..........



Can't imagine any modern factory load would be unsafe in any modern firearm so chambered.

[Alan Wood]

The other side of this question is this. If there isn't a problem why is it that at least one ammo manufacturer lists 180's in it's offerings but does not list it in it's rifle balistics section? Could it be that many or most 180's noses rest on the primer in the mag tube?

[Rusty]

The only reason for not using such a load in a rifle might be that out of the longer barrel velocity would be higher than the bullet is intended for, thus on impact the bullet will come apart instead giving the performance it was intended to give.

[Nate Kiowa Jones]

Has anyone ever heard of any factory load that is too hot for
a modern Marlin 1894 in 44 cal ?

I read somewhere where a guy was saying that the
180-gr. round shouldn't be used in the rifle because the pressure
built up to an excessive level.

He was saying that this round was designed for a pistol,
because the bullet would exit the shorter pistol barrel before
the pressure built up to an excessive level.

It just doesn't sound right to me that ANY factory 44 load
is too hot for any modern .44 chamber.

But then, I don't know everything.

Howdy and welcome,
Generally speaking peak pressure is achieved at the instant the bullet starts to move and starts to deminish from that point on. The rest of the story is I don't know of any leveraction rifle factory chambered in 44mag that is not as strong or stronger than any of the 44mag handguns. In other words any of the heavy loadings recommended only for the Ruger Blackhawks or the TC contenders are perfectly safe in a modern leveraction. So, I agree, your guy got it wrong.

[Seagoing]

Thanks, that's what I thought.
I figure the ammo makers keep a large safety margin.

[Hobie]

Has anyone ever heard of any factory load that is too hot for a modern Marlin 1894 in 44 cal ?

No.

I read somewhere where a guy was saying that the 180-gr. round shouldn't be used in the rifle because the pressure built up to an excessive level.

Wrong.

He was saying that this round was designed for a pistol, because the bullet would exit the shorter pistol barrel before the pressure built up to an excessive level.

Shows a lack of understanding on his part.

It just doesn't sound right to me that ANY factory 44 load is too hot for any modern .44 chamber.

That's good, you reasoned through that one very well.

But then, I don't know everything.

None of us do my friend, none of us do...

So far as pressure is concerned, you can use any factory .44 Mag load in the 1894 with the possible exception of one or two Buffalo Bore loads but those limitations are noted on the box and website by that company. My favorite load in the 1894 was the Remington 240 gr. SJHP which was used on hogs and goats and carried for deer. It was relatively inexpensive, almost always available and always worked. I have played with other loads, factory and handloads, and I'm going to move back to that load or its equivalent with a Hornady XTP or Speer GoldDot.

[76/444]

The only reason for not using such a load in a rifle might be that out of the longer barrel velocity would be higher than the bullet is intended for, thus on impact the bullet will come apart instead giving the performance it was intended to give.

Howdy,... and this reason above , gets my vote!

[O.S.O.K.]

Welcome to the fire. And I concure with all replies. They covered it all very well. "The guy" that you read about was mistaken or misinformed.

Unfortunately, this happens all too often in discussions about firearms.

[Blaine]

Garrett's .44 Hammerheads might be too long to chamber properly in some 1894s, that's all I know about. Be careful with handloads, tho.