Q: Loading from magazine vs. single breech loading

[Texican]

Another thread got me thinking maybe we should have a series of range reports from interested members who will post results of single load accuracy vs. magazine fed accuracy. I really hadn't considered there would be a difference. I'd like to know which models/calibers show a difference, if any. Do you?

[part 2] Unfortunately I can't start with my Marlin .38-55 CB - it will only load from the magazine. Anyone else have the same issue?

[El Chivo]

if you tailored your loads to take advantage of the single loading, you might have something. Longer OAL, less crimp, etc. Spire point bullet?

Otherwise, I can't imagine a noticeable difference.

I'll look forward to reading what others have to say.

[J Miller]

The only differences I've seen between magazine and single round loading is with my British Enfields using soft point bullets.
Their magazines are not designed for that type of bullet, so any lead tipped soft point in the magazine will be a smooched blob point in about two rounds.
To get the best accuracy from them I need to single feed them.

In my lever guns I've noticed no difference in accuracy between the two feeding methods when shooting from the bench.

And you are right, single loading a Marlin lever gun is a pain in the behind.

Joe

[Nate Kiowa Jones]

If you breech load a custom load that has say a boat tail spire point bullet everything else being equal you should see better accuracy, the BTSP having a better BC.

[AJMD429]

Maybe it was on Marlin forum, but I also saw a thread recently where the group size was way smaller from a .45-70 or .444 when the rounds were singly loaded and fired, vs. a fully loaded magazine present.

I'd expect little measurable difference whether the individual round was fed through a magazine or not, but I can definitely see how an 1895 Cowboy with nine bouncing rounds weighing a total of five ounces or more all up under the barrel COULD affect accuracy, by changing vibrations, and even the overall balance and weight of the gun somewhat.

I'm probably not a good enough shot to detect the difference, but someone who is really a consistent good shot might have an interesting "science project" by doing the experiment suggested...

[Hobie]

Every gun is different. Tube fed guns introduce a number of variables into the vibratory consistency of the barrel. Might and might not be problematic. For me, the only tests that have mattered have been in my own guns. Since I never use a repeater as a single-shot, it makes no never mind what the group size is when so used. So, all my zeroing is done from loaded magazines. Suddenly the Marlin is at no disadvantage.

[Leverdude]

I dont think theres a difference simply between a mag fed round & a hand fed one, but theres likely to be a difference once theres another 1/4 lb of lead hanging under the barrel.
I'm surprised people have trouble single loading Marlins. I just roll the gun to the left a little & drop one in. Then I roll the gun to the right a little & drop the empty on the bench. Nothing to it, My Rossi can be alot trickier about keeping spent bas on the bench.

[AJMD429]

Since I never use a repeater as a single-shot, it makes no never mind what the group size is when so used. So, all my zeroing is done from loaded magazines.

That makes sense and sounds very practical!

(Still the obsessive compulsive part of me wants to KNOW...! )

[Ben_Rumson]

I like single loading for testing a load recipe..It eliminates magazine input variables..Once I've found a decent load they ultimately go thru the mag..Also with cases that have little powder and no filler in them I can keep the powder positioned closer to the primer as the shooting range I shoot at frowns on elevating the muzzle (to position the powder)..They always want the muzzle kept pointed down range...

[Texican]

It was the 'Short 86 range report' that got me thinking about all this:

http://www.levergunscommunity.com/viewtopic.php?t=7041

[20cows]

It was the 'Short 86 range report' that got me thinking about all this:

Yep, I remembered he had some issues with the loaded magazine!

[Charles]

In my experience there is a noticable and sometimes significant shift in the POI with many leverguns with tubular magazines and barrel hangers. The carbine models with full length tub magazines seem to be the worse offenders.

The number of rounds in the magazine tube, will have an effect on barrel vibrations and hence point of impace.

I have not noticed this effect with rifles that have box/clip magazines, be they lever, bolt or pump action.

This has been my experience with many hundreds of rifles over 50 years of serious rifle shooting. YMMV

When I sight a rifle in, I load through the magazine like I would be doing in the field. When I am doing load development, I breech load each round for maximum grouping.

[Texican]

Could it be the half magazines were in part created to assist accuracy?