Ruger/Marlin 1894 .357 mag

[Walt]

Several weeks ago I ordered a new Ruger/Marlin 1894 in .357 magnum. Of course I would have preferred a JM model in a Cowboy Limited but they're expensive and hard to find. After I placed the order I watched a you tube video on the excellent Military Arms Channel and found that this carbine has Micro-Groove rifling. Having never owned anything with Micro-Groove rifling I was concerned about accuracy and especially leading but MAC host Tim H. indicated that he had shot Cowboy Action matches for years with a .357 with Micro-Groove rifling with no issues.

Despite normally shooting only cast bullets I decided to start with some Speer 140 gr JHP bullets I had on hand. Feeding was very unreliable and cartridges seemed to hang up with the nose not releasing from the magazine tube. I shortened the overall length of my loads slightly but feeding was still unreliable. I tried some Lyman mold 358665 RNFP cast bullets I had on hand with no improvement. I then tried some of my regular .357 loads with Lyman 358156 SWC bullets and they fed much more reliably. I took the gun apart and polished the loading gate, the elevator or lifter and the bolt. I used a fine grinding compound on the bolt, cycled it a number of times, then cleaned the entire action thoroughly. The groove on the bolt in which the ejector rides had machining marks so I carefully smoothed them out. I suspect that the plastic follower in the magazine tube may be a culprit in the feeding issues so I ordered an aluminum replacement from Ranger Point Precision. I should receive it tomorrow.

My shooting partner had some Hornady 158 gr JHP loads; the bullets seem to taper down more rapidly than the Speer 140s I had tried and they fed fine. I loaded a box of those and I'll shoot them next week.

I have to admit that the exterior fit and finish of the carbine were very good but the action was rough, the trigger pull was rough and the hammer spring much heavier than necessary. In spite of that I think I'll be happy with the gun and performance and look forward to taking it out to find a good load for it. BTW there was no leading from any of my loads.

[Pat C]

IIRC 1956 was first year Marlin introduced microgroove rifling in all rifles. I have 1982 336 35 REM and 1990 883 both JM and both micro groove rifling.Id like to have the 44 in 1894 .
Probably send frame of for color case hardening too.

On my list near the top.

[AJMD429]

.
The Los Angeles Silhouette Club website has some great articles on shooting cast bullets through Microgroove barrels, and I believe there were really no issues, especially if the bullets were fairly hard cast formulations.

LASC - http://www.lasc.us/

A treasure trove of articles by Glen Fryxell, one of which says the essence:

"...The key to success with cast bullets in a Marlin with Microgroove rifling is to keep in mind that these barrels tend to have oversized groove diameters, and that the grooves/lands are shallow. Therefore, in order to get proper engraving (and minimize "slippage" of the cast bullet as it enters the shallow rifling), it is necessary that the bullet completely fill up the groove diameter of the barrel, and engage the maximum amount of the driving surface of the lands. Since Microgroove barrels are commonly oversized, this means that the cast bullet must also be oversized to effectively "fill up" the grooves. Other factors that also contribute to good accuracy with cast bullet in Microgroove barrels are the use of a GC bullet (which helps to provide a better grip and seal), and making sure that bullet are cast hard enough for the application (generally a BHN of 12 or more)..."

http://www.lasc.us/FryxellMarlin-MicroGroove.htm

The several pages of cast bullets and levergun and sixgun articles are worth perusing:

http://www.lasc.us/Fryxell_Book_Contents.htm

I have a Remlin 1894 CST and it has functioned well with 125 JHP, 158 LRN, and a wide-meplat 170 grain JSP in 357 Mag cases, and 158 LRN and 158 FMJ in 38 Special cases.

But like you, I put in a metal follower (from NKJ here on the forum), and did a bit of polishing internally. I also replaced the loading gate with a Ranger Point Precision one.

Other stuff I did was more for application as a ranch/barnyard gun I could use in bad weather or at night (RPP forend, cartridge scabbard, and butt stock), but wouldn't affect feeding.

I'll bet you'll like your Rugerlin once you polish a bit and find you useable overall lengths and ogives.

[Walt]

I have a Remlin Cowboy Limited in .44 mag as well as a JM in .45 Colt (one of my favorite rifles) and both have Ballard rifling. I have frequently read recommendations for shooting cast bullets but never had to apply them, never having owned a Micro-Groove gun.

[Bill in Oregon]

Walt, I will confess to being a bit shocked by what you found with your new Ruger Marlin. For the price point, I assumed they would be good to go, but guess I have not been paying attention. Glad you are getting it sorted.

[Pat C]

About any firearm you get can and will need to be fine tuned to perfection. These rifles are working man's tools not high end custom guns.
The beauty here is all FORGED frame, lever ,barrel etc. Made in USA !!

Send the owner a personal email explaining your concerns and what you did to make it suite you. He asks people for feedback .That's best way to correct or improve products.

Interestingly Marlins web page says barrels are Cold Hammer Forged over mandrel on classic rifles.

Ballard rifling is a cut rifled bore
Micro groove is Button rifled
Cold hammer forged of rifled mandrel ,Superior method

[Pat C]

The 1894 357 is NOT micro groove it is Cold Hammer Forged over mandrel . Not Ballard either which is cut .

This is the best current barrel method available.

[Walt]

Thanks, Doc AJ! I'm familiar with the LASC web page and with Glen Fryxell's writings. John Taffin has said that Glen Fryxell knows more about casting than anyone he's ever met. In fact, I've been using Glen's bullet lube formula with complete satisfaction for years. Experimentation with bullet designs and diameters is underway.

I also have a Henry Big Boy Iron in .357 mag and although it's a well-made gun, I think my preference will be for the Marlin when I get it sorted out.

[Walt]

Thanks, Pat.

Although the barrel may not have exactly the same specifications as a trademarked Micro-Groove barrel, it certainly has way more grooves than a conventional barrel. But you're right in that the grooves look deeper than my recollection of a Micro-Groove barrel.

[Pat C]

Walt that's a beautiful bore and is Cold Hammer Forged
Not Microgroove.

As you can see the differance in my old JM Marlin 336 35 Rem.

[Walt]

Thanks, Pat.

[Walt]

Interesting NRA article regarding rifling types.

https://www.americanrifleman.org/conten ... dvantages/

[horsesoldier03]

Most bullet co. that I have worked with recommend the .311 casting for 30-30 Marlin with microgroove to ensure you fill the grooves. I am sure the .357 probably will prefer an extra thousands or two for their bore size.

[AJMD429]

Interesting NRA article regarding rifling types.

https://www.americanrifleman.org/conten ... dvantages/

That's a nice summary of rifling methods.

[big bear]

Marlin curse?

I got into lever guns after hanging out around here. I acquired a bunch of Winchesters (71, 1894,88),Browning replicas of Winchesters (71,1895,53,65,1886 ) Savage 99's, Sako Finnwolfs, and only very recently Marlins. I have had a bias against Marlins for years (I had a jerk of a room mate who had a Marlin 336). Of all my lever guns the ONLY ones to give me headaches are the Marlins. There seems to be a secondary market for aftermarket marlin parts to deal with issues these rifles have. None of my other levers have such a plethora of aftermarket replacement parts. This all leads me to be suspect of Marlins. For reference I have 2 RemLins in 357Mag and 218 Bee and a waffletop in 35 Remington.The Waffletop 35Remington is the only one that is accurate.
The only lever action I have ever had a jam with was , you guessed it, a Marlin. I have read several articles and forum reports on issues with the new Ruger/Marlins in the pistol calibers now. Makes me wonder......

[Molasses]

I picked up a Rugerlin 1894 chambered in .357 a few months ago. It's only made it to the range once so far, but on that trip, it cycled fine with the Federal American Eagle 158 gr. SP .357 load, as well as cast bullet handloads using the RCBS cowboy mould design. However, as with all things anymore, that''s a sample size of one and any other example may well present the opposite behavior.