are 44 mag lever actions inherantly finnicky?

[ccoker]

been thinking about getting one and it seems they get the most amount of posts regarding finickiness regarding feeding or obtaining good accuracy.

I know that some of the marlins in 44 can have some feeding problems and that with the rate of twist they don't like heavier than 300g bullets

contrast with the 30/30s getting universally good reviews and the 45/70 seems to get great praises on the guide gun

thoughts?

[Ranger J]

Add to that that the Marlins also seem to be over bored.

RJ

[ccoker]

I have heard that and you need to get bigger diameter bullets, .431, etc.

but the guide guns seem to get great accuracy

part of me REALLY wants the guide gun though I would probably never need a full house load and I would be loading it down for my use, but, they are so cool and everyone says they are a lot of fun to shoot, and if I ever needed the extra oomph, I could easily

[Ranger J]

I believe the guide guns are only available in 45/70.  While I don't have a guide gun my 1895 in 45/70 is an extremely accurate gun.  I have had no problems either mechanically or accuracy wise with this gun.  I shoot mainly Rem. 300gr  HPs in it and it is slightly more accurate with the Marlin loads as compared to the trapdoor loads.  On the other hand, as I learned this year, the 300 HP loaded to Marlin level is way too much bullet for whitetails.  You could almost stick your fist in the exit wounds on two I shot this year.  I will probably drop the power to trapdoor level for next year and see what happens.  You can't go wrong (IMO) with the 45/70.

RJ

[blue roan]

Go to leverguns.com, articles, Glen Fryxell on 1894 Marlins.  Lots of information there.

I've had a 44 Marlin or two or three since about 1973.  They have been trouble free and I'm not real good on cleaning, etc.  My reloading has been with semi wadcutters and cowboy bullets in varying weights.  There's a little experimenting to get the right Over All Length, but nothing that couldn't be solved.  My recent project is playing with a LEAD BULLET TECHNOLOGY 433-300-WFN and getting it to work in the Marlin and assorted Rugers.

I can't think of many rifle calibers being asked to feed bullets with the nose shape you expect to be trouble free feeding in the pistol calibers.  Get them set up and enjoy some inexpensive shooting.  I figure under 10 cents a round, even with the rising cost of primers and lead.  My 30/30 and 45/70 Cowboy Rifles aren't that cheap to feed...or my 50/90 Sharps.

[ccoker]

well, I went to a gun show and traded a glock 20 with a few boxes of ammo for a pristine Wincherster 94 Timber Carbine in 444 with a few boxes of Remington 240g SPs

I had numerous people asking me about when I was walking around and a few offers to buy

I have some beartooth hardcasts coming for my 44mag blackhawk and hopefully I can work up a load for each with the same bullet

can't wait to go hunting with it!
going deer hunting again in 2 weeks and found out today there's a place that does hog hunting about 45 minutes from my house for 125 a day
cool...

[teddy12b]

Congrats on your purchase.  It's too late now, but I have a Puma 44 that takes anything I feed it.  Factory, handloads, Grizzley 320gr hardcast, anything. 

Let us know how your new gun shoots.

[Rangr44]

[traded a glock 20 with a few boxes of ammo for a pristine Wincherster 94 Timber Carbine in 444 with a few boxes of Remington 240g SPs]

You're unconsious.   The Timber Carbine is worth about two Glocks.

[ccoker]

yeah
I feel real bad about it

he was a dealer, so, I didn't rip him off, he knew what he was doing