New Marlin 1894 Question

[Bruce]

Fellas, I did another trade yesterday and ended up with a 2008 Marlin 1894 in .44 magnum. I have already taken it apart, cleaned it and got it sighted in today. First new gun in many years that I had to make absolutely no windage adjustment on the rear sight. Only had to drop the elevator one step to get me dead on with the LE ammo. It shot a group about 1 3/4" at 75 yards.

Now my question. When I was cleaning the barrel initially, I noticed that the rifling is very (very-VERY) shallow. I am just wondering if this is normal? It shoots good, so I am not complaining - just curious.

BTW, the is one of the early Remlin's. It has the walnut stock w/o the bullseye.

[J Miller]

Bruce,

My 1894 Cowboy Comp also has very shallow rifling. I've read comments by others that Marlins deep grooved Ballard rifling isn't. Mine shoots pretty good to, but it seems to prefer .454" bullets. I haven't slugged it yet so I don't know the actual grove diameter.

One elevation adjustment and your on ..... outstanding. I'd say that's a keeper.

Joe

[marlinman93]

Even in the early days of Ballard type rifling, the big bore Marlins did not have deep rifling. My original 1894's from the early 1900's have extremely shallow rifling, but they must imprint well enough, as they sure do shoot! I actually think my 94's in .32-20 and .25-20 have deeper rifling than the .44-40 and .38-40 do.-Vall

[Jaguarundi]

The Marlin's Ballard rifling is rather shallow compared to Winchester Bores.

[Bruce]

Thanks guys. My only visual comparision was Winchesters or Marlin 308 ME's and there sure is a big difference. I would be suprised if there is .004 difference between the lands and grooves on the Marlin vs. .008 to .010 on the Winchesters and ME's. I have not slugged the Marlin yet. But it does shoot well.

[marlinman93]

The old custom barrel makers like Pope, Schoyen, Zischang, etc. all felt that shallow rifling produced more accurate loads because the bullet was imprinted less by the lands. The deeper the lands imprint, the longer the "tails" will be on the base of the bullet as it leaves the bore. These tails are caused when the bullet enters the rifling, and the lead is pushed back toward the base. Any disturbance in the base will affect bullet flight, so the shoter these tails were the better.
I've examined barrels by all of the above mentioned barrel makers and they are all extremely shallow. Pope's were so shallow that the middle of his cutter barely touched the bore when the edges of the groove were done.-Vall

[Bruce]

Vall,

Well, that looks to be about how shallow these are. Your explanation sounds solid also. Thanks.