Another good read. Thank you! The 94 SBL looks like a dandy little woods walkers. And all terrain/ weather to boot!

 

Nice write up!.. I’d love to have one to go with my bisley hunter…. But it’s a bit high for me.

 

Nice write up, Scott. The SBL looks great but then you notice the hefty price, ouch.

How are you liking the Hawke optics?

Jack

 

Nice write up, Scott. The SBL looks great but then you notice the hefty price, ouch.

How are you liking the Hawke optics?

Jack

Thank you, Jack, it is pricy for sure but oh my..... what a rifle! Regarding the Hawke Optics, I'm really very happy with everything I've used so far. From the lower priced "Vantage" scopes to the "Frontier" medium priced scopes, I just like them. Excellent features for the money and the glass is just so much clearer than the Bushnell's I've used over the years. Bottom line, I'll be using Hawke Optics from now on.

 

Enjoyed the write up. I’m also curious about the Hawke optics. The 1x4, opinion on how it compares to the Leupold 1x4’s?

 

While I've never owned a Leupold scope, I've shot competition with them and agree with the majority that they are a very fine scope and American made. While the Hawke Optics are made overseas, the quality is as good or on par with Leupold (in my opinion) and the glass is easily as good if not better. I'm especially fond of an IR scope and Hawke does not disappoint. I also like the "no fault, lifetime warranty"... which I've had no need to use so far, and I've shot thousands of heavy loads through my .45-70's with Hawke glass to-date.

 

Nice! Mine should arrive to my FLL tomorrow. I'm so excited. Always wanted a .44 lever to go with my S&W 629.

 

Congrats, I'm sure you will enjoy it.

 

That is a beautiful gun that I need in my safe. Saving up for it now.

 

In your review you mentioned the 1/20 twist but the heaviest bullets you shot were 240gr. My Marlin with Ballard rifling and 1/38 twist (2006) shoots 240 gr bullets just fine. Do you plan to shoot some heavier bullets to show if there is any real reason to buy one of the new Rugers with the faster twist? So far as I can tell the sweet spot for the 44 mag is around 240 grs when it comes to energy and trajectory. A heavier bullet may penetrate a little deeper up close. If you can match or come close to the 240gr speed you will have a pretty good thumper round.

Here is a good read on the Marlin levers in 357, 44 mag and 45 Colt. And its from a writer I trust. He seemed to get good accuracy with a 1/38 twist and I am assuming a MG barrel shooting 300gr and heavier bullets. Not all, but a lot gave decent accuracy.

Marlin 1894

 

I did shoot some of my 265-grain Hornady Interlocks that shot well however I didn't shoot enough of them to report on. Same bullet that I load in my .444 Marlins. I know that they grouped much better than in my "JM" 1894's.

I've read the article that you linked to and agree it is very good information.

 

The reason I asked is because have a new Marlin with 1/20 twist spotted and am wondering if its worth getting rid on my 2006 model for the new gun just because of the faster twist barrel. All I ever use are 240gr bullets anyway. And my gun will shoot those in to a 3" group at 100 yards if I use a scope on my gun. A 3" group is what I get at 75 yards with a peep sight mounted.

Looking at the Speer #14 manual it shows a top speed for the 240gr bullet of 1770fps and 1687 Ft pounds of energy. The 270gr gets 1570 fps and 1476 FPE and the 300gr 1500fps and 1500FPE. Thats why I posted earlier the 240 was the sweet spot between power and energy and trajectory.

I could sell my gun, I have the original box and paperwork and buy the new Ruger made gun and the upgrade after selling my gun would cost around $300. I just have to decide if the difference in performace is worth the cash outlay. And so far I'm not seeing enough better to make the trade.