Large bore lever addict in the making

J

JamesM

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Bloomfield, New Brunswick
I have been given indefinite loan of a early 1910's 1894 in .38-55 and I have got to say it has ignited my interest in these traditional straight(ish) rimmed cartridges I love them. I was hoping to get it out and fill my deer tag with it this fall but I never sealed the deal. I am now on the mission to get set up to feed this old girl and try to start hitting targets at extended ranges with it. I am also considering adding one of the larger under lever cartridges of my own.
So here are my questions to you fine folks are any other members shooting the .38-55 and if so do any of you have some preferred mild smokeless loads for this 100+ year old girl? I know cast lead and slugging the bore are recommended.

Now for adding my own big bore lever to arsenal I am thinking Marlin, price is a factor and I much prefer a pistol grip, so I am probably looking at a 1895 standard model. Any members have one in any of the chamberrings they are/were offered in? I would love to read your stories especially tales of successful hunts or stretching their legs at the range and help fuel this fire.
 
I own a 45/70 in a Rossi Rio Grande, I had a pre Remington Marlin 1895gbl that I sold to a good friend, I chose the Rossi to replace the Marlin because at the time Remington/Marlin was having quality issues, the Rossi is about a pound lighter and seems to be just as accurate. The Rio Grande has a pistol grip and shoulders nice but the barrel is shorter than the 1895 standard model.
 
I have a 1970s Marlin 444S. I also like the Marlin pistol grip and the Marlin scopes easily. They make a great big bore but not too ammo friendly these days. The 45-70s are more common and also dandy rifles. To be honest your 38-55 is a real good rifle cartridge combo already all the way to moose. Have you considered a big bore in a pistol cartridge lever like a 1894Marlin or 92 Winchester or clone like a Rossi. A 44 Mag is ammo friendly and loads up strong as well, or maybe a 45 Colt. I'm a fan of levers having a 32 Special, 32-20, and 444. I put up with ammo and component grief though. A 30-30, 357 Mag or 44 Mag, and 45-70 would be easier to feed.

Fair warning, levers are addicting because they are a terrific hunting design with outstanding handling.
 
Yes I have considered the pistol cartridge carbine, and I may end up going that route. I shot my first deer with a Marlin 336 in .30-30 and currently have 2 Winchester 94's, the .38-55 on loan and a .32 special. I have been kicking myself for passing up both of the .444 Marlins I saw at LGS's before I played with the .38-55, and found myself dreaming of punching large holes in stuff with a full sized lever gun even if components or loaded ammo was a challenge I think it would still bring that warm fuzzy feeling.
 
375 Winchester!

An updated 38-55. I have a Win94 BigBore in 375Win, incredible accuracy at 100yds with cast and jacketed bullets. First reloads i tried shoot unbelievably tight groups , so I never experimented I use reloader 7. 375 Win is made/was made in savage 99 and Marlins. If you like heavy levers, you MUST get a Win71 (348Win), a 358Win savage 99, and a 45-70 Win/Browning 1886 or Marlin. Big Fun:D
 
I have a Ruger #3 with #1 Wood in 375 Winchester, scoped with a VXIII 1.5x5 Leupold scope. A very accurate rifle with factory ammo.Send me a PM if you are interested.
Fred M.
 
I'd be all over that one Fred, especially if it had the Alexander Henry style fore end, but I'm
so happy with my early Winnie Big Bore 94 (No safety crap) that I need no other in .375 Win.

Fear not, it will move quick.:)
 
I am developing a real jones for levers

I have
Browning BLR in 450 marlin
Marlin 1895 XLR in 45-70
Bowning BLR in 308
Browning BLR takedown in 243
Savage 99(1941) in 250-3000
Winchester 94 (pre 64) in 30-30

I should gather them up and enter them in the lever #### thread
 
razorbeck said:
I am developing a real jones for levers

I have
Browning BLR in 450 marlin
Marlin 1895 XLR in 45-70
Bowning BLR in 308
Browning BLR takedown in 243
Savage 99(1941) in 250-3000
Winchester 94 (pre 64) in 30-30

I should gather them up and enter them in the lever #### thread
Click to expand...

A rossi M92 in .454 Casull would be a great addition to your collection...:evil: :D
 
I have a Winchester 94 Big Bore (top eject) XTR in .375 Win. and I bought it specifically because of it's chambering. It was new, had been on the shelf for more than a few years.

Still going to pick up more factory ammo and some dies. I think I have 80 brass cases so far, have only fired 10 or so.

I would love to get a Marlin 1895 Cowboy in .45-70 with the long octagon barrel!

Drooool...
 
A Marlin 1895 in 45-70 will satisfy all of your curiosities with big bore lever gun. I have an 1895GS and an 1895CB both 45-70 and love them both. I have a couple 30-30's, a 356win, and a 38-55 as well, but nothing goes shooting more than my 45-70's.

If you are just buying ammo then the 45-70 would be a little boring with most factory stuff and gets a tad expensive with the hotter stuff. But if you reload, the 45-70 becomes a whole new monster. With loads ranging from toddler friendly to "shake your fillings loose". Plus shooting hard cast lead out of these beasts makes them pretty economical even if you're buying them. Even cheaper if you learn how to cast your own.

The 45-70 also has the easiest to find and widest selection of brass and other components. Bullet weights from 250gr to 550gr is also hard to beat!
 
So I found a deal on a .444 Marlin, just waiting to hear back about a price and the configuration.
Which leads to my second question, is there any practical difference performance wise between the .444 and .45-70? I already reload so that addresses most ammunition availability and performance issues. Am I over thinking things? I should probably just jump on the first deal I find in a configuration that appeals to me, shouldn't I?
 
JamesM said:
So I found a deal on a .444 Marlin, just waiting to hear back about a price and the configuration.
Which leads to my second question, is there any practical difference performance wise between the .444 and .45-70? I already reload so that addresses most ammunition availability and performance issues. Am I over thinking things? I should probably just jump on the first deal I find in a configuration that appeals to me, shouldn't I?
Click to expand...

Over thinking it. The 444 will serve you well on anything you hunt. I wouldn't trade mine for a 45-70 ever.

You will find very little real world difference between the two. Be aware there is a twist difference in 444. The early models are 1-38" while later models are 1-20" divided as early Micro Groove barrel or later Ballard barrel. The advantage of the fast twist is to stabilize real heavy bullets above about 325 grains. There is a dandy 444 forum for reference and advice.

http://www.marlinowners.com/forum/444-marlin/

Also the Beartotth Bullets article series are a good read. Here is number 1 of 3 articles.

http://www.beartoothbullets.com/tech_notes/archive_tech_notes.htm/17
 
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