Heavy cast bullets and the Win M94?

[Mauser]

Does anybody here have any experience shooting LBT bullets in the 300 to 335 grain range in their Win M94 45 Long Colts?  I've heard of feeding problems but I'm about to start reloading these and am wondering about others experiences.

Also wondering about loads and pressure in shooting these heavy cast bullets in the m94 45 LC?

Thanks for any help that can be provided!

[Lone Star]

I used the LBT LFN 300s in my M-94 Trapper without troubles, but I did trim my brass back to 1.240".   I did this to allow the use of the Lee 340F bullet because with full length cases the ogive of this very blunt bullet hit the lands when crimped in the crimp groove.

I tested some pretty heavy loads in my M-94, and I'll not list them here - that was years ago when I was more foolish. Milder loads which worked well but are under max published loads were:

300LBT/26.0/RL7
300LBT/21.0/W296
340LEE/25.0/RL7

IME Ruger-only loads listed in the manuals, using the slower powders, work very well.  Remember that just because the M-94 is a rifle doesn't mean you can go crazy with powder charges.  Besides, this light little carbine kicks a lot with the heavy bullets....

[Mikey]

I have 3 94AEs in 444 and had to find the right case bullet to function properly in those levers.  Some of the really wide nose bullets don't work too well unless you seat them deep and that is not good for pressures.  

I also found that some heavy cast slugs for the 44 magnum revolver don't function well in my lever actions.  I prefer Beartooth Bullets - they have a nice website that pictures all of their slugs and they also have lots of loading data for those bullets.

In addition, if this is a new rifle you may wish to view some of Veral Smith's posts on barrel lapping or firelapping and either use his process and materials or that provided by Beartooth to lap that barrel to get the best accuracy from those cast slugs.  HTH.  Mikey.

[Bob]

I use 310gr cast from the Lee mould and have had no problems in my 94.
Bob