OK, I think most of us know the myth that the microgroove "can't shoot cast". I don't reload anyway, strictly factory ammo guy. I am gonig to go order my 1895 45/70 today or tomorrow. The 2004 catalog has ballard, the previous versions microgroove. Are ther any REAL differences under any circumstances where one is better than the other?
Who can tell me something I don't know, cause I would like to hear.

My 1895 is ballard rifled, and about 6 years old. I've never shot cast bullets in mine so can't help here, but a friend that has a .444 microgroove says he can't shoot (wheelweight) cast bullets accurately in his. In all fairness, i don't know how much work he's done with bullet hardness, diameter, etc.

VA Hunter,

You may want to read Marshall Stanton's tech note articles on the 444. He goes into to differences you want to know about. Short version is both are capable to giving excellent performance. You just have to get a couple more things just right with micro groove rifling and cast bullets. I think it's fair to say that with cast bullets, ballard rifling is more forgiving. Still in all, when you get ballard just right, it will also be just right for micro groove. Read his articles and it will all make sense.

Bill

I had a 444 briefly in the 1970's and it would shoot tight groups with factory jacketed ammo. Never tried cast bullets.

My old 1894 Marlin in 44 MAG was worthless with anything but Hornady 200 grain hollow tips loaded to near maximum velocity. By worthless I mean a 7 inch group at 100 yards. Cast bullets did not improve accurasy at all. I even tried semi-wadcutters loaded singlely but they grouped an unimpressive 5.5 inch group at 50 yards.

Marlin dropped micro-groove for 44 MAG sometime ago and these issues I outlined have vanished. Good for Marlin. But they continue with the 1 in 38 inch twist for unknown reasons. This twist is less than ideal for 300 grain Hornady XTP ammo. I currently own a Ruger 96 and it shoots better than the Marlin.
TR

I have Marlin .357 and .44 magnum with Microgroove barrels and don't have any problem as long as I use hard bullets that are plenty large. Both soft and undersized bullets are boogers.