Marlin Firearms Collectors Association

I would like your opinions on crimping. I read in a reloading manual that crimping can increase accuracy. I am talking a lever 25-20 for this subject. I have not been crimping since I single load while working up a load. Also, will crimping shorten case life? Your opinions will be appreciated, and i...

Wow Brent. I don't need to search any farther. I will have to re-read your post a few times to absorb all the info you included. I really appreciate the info. What started this for me is : I wanted to get my 14 year old grandson some experience, so I wanted him to load some shells and then go to the...

Brent and others. Of course you are correct. I really don't have a problem, and I do use only FB bullets in the rifle we are talking about. I just wondered WHY this problem exists. I never talked to anyone who ever mentioned this same problem. I am also not educated in the difference that twist make...

Thanks for that info. No, I have never checked the diameter of the two bullets. Now that this subject is on my mind, I remember my father who died 38 years ago telling me that "this rifle won't shoot just anything". Fact is, I didn't pay that comment much mind since he was doing all the re...

The bullets that I used in the above mentioned 243 with the key holing problems were Sierra 85 gr and 100 gr flat spitzers and 85 and 100 gr game kings, Shoots both spitzers perfect, and throws the BT'. game kings. Both loads are 38 gr of 4064.

I also have a pre 64 Mod 70 in 243 win, and it shoots both BT and FB bullets equally well. However, the Custom rifle we are discussing will out shoot the 70. It just will not handle a BT bullet. Guess I will have to stop in and see my gunsmith. It has to be the twist, I believe.

I have a rifle that was custom built for my father 75 years ago. It is a 243 and deadly with any flat based bullets I have tried. However, it will NOT handle boat tail bullets and key holes them all over the place. I do not know the twist of the barrel. I don't know how long BT bullets have been aro...

5 shot group 7/8 inch at 54 yds. off bench rest with scope. 8.6 gr 4227 with 85 gr Meister.
With a dirty barrel.

After talking to a very knowledgeable shooter of levers, who told me to decide on whether I wanted to shoot jackets or cast, then pick one and stick with it, it was a no brainer with the ammo/bullet situation we have, so since I had some 87 gr remington bullets at a cost of over a buck a round, I pu...

I don't think leading is the problem. After shooting, I always clean and inspect. Maybe clean too much. I read a thread by 35 Remington, about his bad luck with a marlin 1894 CL 25-20 a ducks unlimited model. he said he could do nothing with it. Well guess what, that is exactly what I have. The same...

I thought I had worked up a good load for my marlin 1894 CL 25-20. This rifle was built in 1990 according to marlin. A couple of weeks ago, at the range after shooting a few different loads, all with 4227 and 85 gr meister hard cast bullets. The last load I shot was a 1 3/4 inch 5 shot group at a li...

Had almost given up on my 1894 CL 25-20 being a shooter. Then I read a post written by 35 Remington on Marlin Owners.com which is worth the read if you own a 25-20. Anyway, I mounted a scope on the rifle, and loaded some 85 gr Meister bullets and went to the range. I shot 86 gr Remington factory amm...

Another way to look at it. I think you should enjoy it, if looking at it works, fine, but I am guessing you will enjoy it more by using it. I have been to a lot of funerals and never once saw any money in the casket. Enjoy it and remember the guy who loved it.

I have a 1894 CL and when I first say the JM, it was so small that I thought it was a bit of rust or something. I rubbed some oil on it, and got a mag. glass and saw the JM. On left side of barrel about a 1/2 inch from receiver.

Do you guys clean your barrels differently when using cast bullets than you do when using jacketed bullets. Planning on using cast bullets in my 25-20 Marlin.