Dhansen the bore is beautiful, rifle shoots perfect. I was very impressed with the accuracy it provides. Thats one of the reasons its my favorite. Operation and surfaces on the rifle are all 100%. It took no reconditioning.
need help with a 44-40
I inherited a marlin 44-40 and would like a little information about it. Its my favorite rifle except for the fact that I cant find ammo for it. It is a lever action with a 23" octagonal barrel. the tube below falls just short of the end of the barrel. In front of the rear site the roll stamp says Marlin Fire-Arms co. New-Haven. Ct, USA. The second line is Patented. Oct. 11.1887.april.2.1889. August 1.1893. On the top of the barrel behind the rear sight it is stamped with a 44 40. Behind the hammer it says Marlin Model 94, and under the rifle it says 1174 where the wood meets the metal in front of the lever. I'll try to get some pics of it, but have looked everywhere for the past few weeks with no luck. Hope you all can help, and thank you in advance for your time. Oh and there a star stamped in front of the screw behind the model 94 stamp.
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Thanks for the loading information btw. That will help a lot, I know it will be a bit trial an error for awhile.
Oh guess I should mention the bore is right at .429
David,
That's not my gun, just grabbed the pics. I have not seen them with swivel in the stock, but they may have done it. The Winchester muskets have them in the stock
That's not my gun, just grabbed the pics. I have not seen them with swivel in the stock, but they may have done it. The Winchester muskets have them in the stock
Kbtc is that bore or groove diameter?Oh guess I should mention the bore is right at .429
Go slow with the handle when reloading. I went 1000 or so reloads with only 3-5 damaged cased, then 5-7 in a row in one night. I stopped and started over the next day. I was having neck tension issues, slept on it and figured it out in the A.M.
Clark thanks for pointing out my confusion. I slipped and feel on the ice today, rang my bell good. I was mixing up the photos of the old Winchester musket and Marlin musket.
Hansen that is bore diameter, I have not check the grove yet. I assume it will be slightly larger, but I've never worked on a rifle like this before. Mostly Modern rifles until now. Started with a S&W 1500 Deluxe 7mm mag. One of the overseas Howa models. You guys are all amazing btw. Never expected everyone to be so helpful, especially so quickly. Much appreciated!
I'll be looking forward to hearing what your groove diameter is. I have been keeping track of some 44-40 data and the manufactures have sure changed barrel dimensions over time. My 1894 Marlin DOM-1895 is .421" bore and .441" groove, My 1894 SRC Marlin DOM-1911 (or so) is .419" bore and .425" groove. I have to keep my cases separated to avoid neck tension issues. The older one took me a while to really narrow down what shot the best from that rifle. Most of my Colt SAA, Uberti copies of SAA and Uberti copy of Winchester 1866 in 44-40 have groove diameters of .428" to .430" That is why most of the 44-40 stuff you find at the stores is .429" diameter. The .429" seems to be just middle of the road enough to work. I myself think that true performance from the 44-40 comes with handloading your own and coming up with the balanced combination that your 44-40 likes. I have yet to own two rifles in 44-40 with the same groove and bore diameters. However a friends Winchester 1873 in 44-40 made the same year as my (DOM-1883) 1873 44-40 do match at .425" bore and .431" groove. I also load for those rifle different than the two Marlins.
We like the old Marlins!:biggrin:Hansen that is bore diameter, I have not check the grove yet. I assume it will be slightly larger, but I've never worked on a rifle like this before. Mostly Modern rifles until now. Started with a S&W 1500 Deluxe 7mm mag. One of the overseas Howa models. You guys are all amazing btw. Never expected everyone to be so helpful, especially so quickly. Much appreciated!
And truer words have never been spoken! I agree with Lou on the .432" diameter lead cast bullets in the vintage 1894's. However, be aware of your barrel dimensions. I was using 13gr of A2400 with a 200gr RNFP bullet at .432" dia. in a Uberti 26" 1866 with a .421" bore and .429" groove. The bullet made it to about 2" from the muzzle. That same combination from a Marlin 1894 with 24" barrel was measured with instrument velocity 10' from muzzle @ 1080fps. Reloading/handloading is an art and all variables need consideration. Measure, record and pay attention to the details. After you slug your barrel, post your results for us.We like the old Marlins!:biggrin:
Nice looking gun, Tell us about the sweet pistol in your photos :biggrin:
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