That's interesting bfrshooter. I was pretty much just passing along what I'd read. The Speer and Lyman reloading manuals both say that OAL is critical in lever actions. I've never used anything but 240 grain bullets in my 1894, so I've never really tested the limits.

If you reload buy a 310gr mold from lee cast them and harded them. Load them over a good load of H110 and that well all you well need.

I use the 320 gr LBT WLNGC, the Lee 310 gr and a 330 gr copy of the LBT in my Marlin and they feed perfectly. I even seat the Lee in the lower crimp groove.
The Marlin likes 20.5 grs of 296 for tightest groups and the SBH likes 21.5 grs. H110 takes .5 gr more.

Mountain Man, I am in Aldergrove. When I carried a 44RM SBH in the field I used a Hornady 265 over 26.5 gr of H110 and a standard large pistol primer. That loading hits very hard and is almost controlable in recoil. derf

I say sell your little 44 mag's and buy a 5.5" barreled s/s Ruger Bisley and a Marlin 1894CB in 45 Colt........

Load it up with a top load of H110 and 335gr Cast Performance WLNGC hard cast bullets resulting in above 1250fps in the handgun and alot more in the rifle.

Cam

p.s. I know I'm going to get it for this post but I'm ready.....

Bring it on.....

Hello all, I am going to be wandering the woods this year with my new Ruger super blackhawk in .44mag and my new Marlin 1894ss also in .44mag. I am looking for some load info and any advice for using it for hunting and / or bear protection. Also, I was looking at Garrett's web site and noticed that they say you can not use the .44mag ammo in a Ruger super blackhawk. I was under the impression that the Super blackhawk was one of the strongest handguns made. Could this be a misprint??? Thanks.

Be careful about using very heavy (over 300 grain) bullets in the 1894. It won't feed anything that is over the industry standard maximum length.