44 calibre bullets/ Marlin lever action

[paultap]

Hi guys, I have an 1894 marlin lever action rifle in 44mag/44 special. I am looking to purchase some hard cast bullets for reloading (ok bullet heads if you like ��...,don't start!) I am specifically looking for these in .432 calibre. 44 calibre bullets are generally .429"

Can anyone point me in the right direction as to where to buy as I can only find hard cast bullets available for the 44 for sale in .429 cal. (see below for an explanation)

Marlin lever action rifles were made with two different types of barrel rifling, either
the Ballard type (more conventional) or the later microgroove type rifling.

Microgroove rifling has more grooves but is much shallower in depth. Copper jacketed bullets shoot just as well in either type of rifling but if you are shooting hard cast bullets in a micro groove barrel then slightly larger diameter bullets apparently give better accuracy.

Incidentally 44 magnum is a handgun cartridge, and .44 is the actual bore diameter measurement of the revolver cylinder and not the bore diameter of the barrel. Similarly .38 calibre revolvers have an actual barrel bore diameter of .357"......a bit confusing for people not in the know!

Any help would be appreciated.

 

[reiver]

I use .430 jacketed bullets in my .444 micro grove marlin and I get my cast of Dodgyrog off here not sure of the diameter of them as all my reloading stuff is still to unpack from just moving house but they do work well in my rifle.

 

[VIGILAIRE]

+1 for Dodgyrog, am sure he could size his cast bullets to your requirements.

 

[paultap]

Thanks guys I will drop him a PM.

 

[enfieldspares]

Try GM bullets. They are hard, and .429". Worked well enough in my Winchester 94 and other club member's Marlin 1894 rifles. But, yes, I have also heard the same about lead bullets and microgroove rifling. Some US Forums dismiss it as part urban myth consequent on the user using "soft" bullets rather than bullets cast from wheelweights or Lyman #2 mix.

 

[paultap]

Try GM bullets. They are hard, and .429". Worked well enough in my Winchester 94 and other club member's Marlin 1894 rifles. But, yes, I have also heard the same about lead bullets and microgroove rifling. Some US Forums dismiss it as part urban myth consequent on the user using "soft" bullets rather than bullets cast from wheelweights or Lyman #2 mix.

Thats what I've been using, I can get 2.5 inch groups at 100 yards wth these which is more than enough for plinking, I thought It would be worth a try to source something bigger in hard cast just to see if I can improve on this, I bought this rifle new about 11 years ago for a bit of fun more than anything, It serves that purpose very well though. I've yet to look for accuracy with jacketed Ammo.

many thanks.

 

[enfieldspares]

Heck PT! There's some can't even get that sort of group at 25 yards with those lever actions. You've got a "keeper" there in that Marlin. That's great grouping. I wouldn't search any further. IMHO you've found your Grail.

 

[paultap]

Heck PT! There's some can't even get that sort of group at 25 yards with those lever actions. You've got a "keeper" there in that Marlin. That's great grouping. I wouldn't search any further. IMHO you've found your Grail.

Many thanks for that, Perhaps I was being very unrealistic in comparing the group sizes from the 1894 Marlin to my Tikka T3 and Sako 85 then.

 

[Ludders]

Try reloading solutions they are in Kidlington in Oxfordshire they may be able to help you

 

[reiver]

Thats what I've been using, I can get 2.5 inch groups at 100 yards wth these which is more than enough for plinking, I thought It would be worth a try to source something bigger in hard cast just to see if I can improve on this, I bought this rifle new about 11 years ago for a bit of fun more than anything, It serves that purpose very well though. I've yet to look for accuracy with jacketed Ammo.

many thanks.

GM Bullets might be to hard for your Marlin due to them being swaged ?
something a little softer might suit your rifling better doggys cast boolits.

 

[enfieldspares]

GM Bullets might be to hard for your Marlin due to them being swaged ?

GM are cast. Also, FWIW, swaged all lead bullets have to be swaged from softer alloy than can, if wished, be used to cast bullets from.

 

[reiver]

GM are cast. Also, FWIW, swaged all lead bullets have to be swaged from softer alloy than can, if wished, be used to cast bullets from.

I have not used Gm bullets for a long time and just guessed that the were swaged they are a very hard bullet though compared to others I have used and that is why I stopped using them in my 444 . I get better accuracy with the dodgy bullet company (I am suprised rodg has not popped up yet!! It must be all the lead fumes)!!!

 

[Dahonis]

Shell House Bullet Company, Lancashire I think. Google them, I've used them in the past and they do .432 and there brilliant!

 

[multiman]

Hi I have a friend who would make you exactly what you want Phil trueflight bullets. He will cast and size to your requirements. Even make you a selection to try in your gun. Let me know if you would like me to ask him.

 

[paultap]

I have not used Gm bullets for a long time and just guessed that the were swaged they are a very hard bullet though compared to others I have used and that is why I stopped using them in my 444 . I get better accuracy with the dodgy bullet company (I am suprised rodg has not popped up yet!! It must be all the lead fumes)!!!

I have PM'd Roger, unfortunately he said that he was unable to cast anything suitable.

 

[proudthunder]

Shell House Bullet Company, Lancashire I think. Google them, I've used them in the past and they do .432 and there brilliant!

You get good service, good prices and pleasant customer service.

 

[paultap]

You get good service, good prices and pleasant customer service.

Many thanks for this information, this is just what I was after.

 

[Dahonis]

I've just taken delivery of a .432 mold from NOE and a .432 sizing die.....It will work out cheaper casting my own, well, in the long run that is