1894 Marlin 357

[161]

Been trying to get the 357 Marlin to shoot cast. I have everything I need to cast boolits except time. It'll shoot jacketed just fine but cast is inconsistent at best. Been shooting Suter's 158 RNFP with 3.5 of Unique in both 38sp and 357 cases. seems to be better in the 357 I assume because the boolit is closer to the throat. The boolits are .358 I shot some 30 year old factory loaded Peters 158 RN and they grouped fine 1 to 1.5 at 25 yards. Some times the 357 with 3.5 of unique will cut a ragged hole then the next will be 6 in group. If I but a full house jacketed 357 in she'll cut a ragged hole. I want to get into Cowboy Action shooting and I understand they only shoot out to 25 yards but I'd like to get the groups squeezed down some. Any ideas do I need larger boolits .359 .360?
Thanks 161

[upr45]

My 1894 .357 mfg in 2004 mike's at .3593 and shoots .3600 like a dream.
1 vote for larger boolet.

[Three44s]

Goto Beartooth Bullets and buy their book for 15 bucks postage paid.

Very well worth the investment!


Three 44s

[EDK]

Go to lasc.us and read Glenn Fryxell's article on 1894 MARLINS.

Conventional wisdom on MARLINS is oversize boolit...360+ in your 357; hard alloy; gas check; higher end velocity. Since your interest is for Cowboy Action Shooting you can't use gas checks and they will get excited about higher velocity. My idea would be to get a heavy weight mould like the NOE 360 180 Wide Flat Nose or the recent 360 200 grain semi wadcutter...both of them feed in my Cowboy rifles. Raise your powder charge a bit also. I'm using 4.5 of TITEGROUP with the heavier boolits; 5.0 of TG with 158 grainers; use it in my Original Size VAQUEROS also.

Little money and less time is the way things are for most of us. When you retire, you'll have more time and less money...AND getting old ain't for sissies!

:cbpour::redneck::Fire:

[perotter]

LEE 158 RFN tumble lubed. Sized .359. 4.5 grains of Unique.

[161]

I like to cast but really don't have time anymore. I there a place I can but .359 or .360 sized boolits?
Thanks
161

[perotter]

I use a Lee factory crimp die on them. What you describe is a classic symptom of an inconsistent pressure problem. A heavier crimp and/or a heavier powder charge most likely will work.

Something you could try before buying different bullets.

FWIW, I just checked & Alliant lists 4.5 grains as the cowboy action load.

[358wcf]

161-
Your 3.5gr Unique load is too low- the standard 38Special loading over the years is 5.0gr with a 158gr boolit, but I use this 5.0gr load with everything from 140-170gr.
As a very mild 357mag load, I use 6.0gr Unique.
Bump up your loads a bit at a time and watch those groups shrink and your trajectory flatten-
Keep us posted-

358wcf

[Dave B]

I'll second the 5gr Unique load. Great with 125 cast or 158gr cast in 38 spl. Try 7gr Unique ,same bullets in 357.

[TCFAN]

I use 4.0grs. of Bullseye in 38 special case in my 94-C with the Lee 158gr. RNFP boolit sized at 360. This load will shoot ragged hole groups at 25 yards with peep sights.

Try a bigger dia. boolit with a little more push from your powder.....Terry

[1Shirt]

I have yet to put a cast of any denomination down the tube of my 94 that didn't shoot well. Son in law is having a bit of a problem with some loads in 38's brass in his Marlin. I have never shot 38 brass in the 94 so don't have an opinion. His mag brass loads seem to shoot just fine. His rifle is new however and it may be a factor of break in time. I am getting excellent accuracy out of the 158 Lee RNFN w/bb, and with the 180 (mine drop closer to 190) Ranch dog's. 357 in a rifle is just a plain fun piece of equipment.
1Shirt!:coffee:

[161]

Shot about 500 rnd out of the 94 today. Same load, not much for punchin paper but I rang a lot of swinging steal. Really like this little gun. I had some loaded with Green Dot that shot decent. I'll bump up the load and see what happens. I'll try to keep you up to date but I go in for rotator surgery Thursday. Don't know how much more shooting I'll have time for. Or can stand, shoulders hurt like crazy tonight.
Thanks for the help
161

[161]

I had read in some old data a load of 3.8 of Unique with the 158. That's why I started at 3.5. Before I read everybody's response I loaded 20 rnds with 3 gr. of Unique. Then after I read the posts I went out and loaded 20 with 5 gr of Unique. I loaded up the chronograph and went shooting this afternoon. Shot the 3 gr. first into an inch group for 5 shots 750 fps. Shot 5 of the 5 gr. Unique load 5 inch group at 1107 fps. Went back to the 3 gr. load and but all 20 in a single hole 1.5 inch tall 1 inch wide at 25 yards. I'm using Winchester Small Pistol Mag Primers because that's just what I had. I guess I don't mind shooting a load that much below printed data if it's not going to hurt anything. Just looking for input, any ideas?
161

[161]

Would the Suter's Supply bullet just be to soft to run over 750 fps. the Green Dot load I shot was 850 fps and they shot OK but not as good as 750 fps. 3.5 of Unique ran 950 fps and shot no better than the 5 gr. of Unique, 5-6in groups. Going to get some different bullet from a friend of mine who shoots USPSA and Cowboy Acting. 2 ALPHA Bullet is the name of his Company.
161

[161]

Has anyone ever tried Trail Boss powder?

[NHlever]

I like to cast but really don't have time anymore. I there a place I can but .359 or .360 sized boolits?
Thanks
161

Try Beartooth bullets.

http://www.beartoothbullets.com/