New Marlin '94C 100 yd accuracy

I posted a thread when I got this gun and have been giving updates in case anyone is interested. My experience is perplexing. I got 358429 to shoot very well (11/2 in) at 50 yds using 13 gr Lil Gun mag primer and chronyed it at 1650ish fps. When I moved the load to 100 tho, my 11/2 in group at 50 grew to 8" at 100. I tried 14gr, 14.5gr, 15gr, all with the same results. I tried 12gr 2400 at 100 never at 50, and got the same results at 100 tho. I ordered LBT 180 wfngc, same thing. I was able to get 10gr AA#7 to shoot 2-3 in at 100 for 7 shots with 358429 and an aluminum pb gc. Similar results with the LBT 180. This load chronyed 1450ish with the 358429 si I assume it is similar vel with the LBT. I can't explain the poor grouping at 100. These boolits shouldn't be dropping below the sound barrier at 100 when they were launched north of 1675 fps. The Lee 358 158rnfp shoots pretty well, but i'm only pushin it 1350. Am considering trying the Lee boolit with a pb gas check and pushing it harder, but I really wanted a heavier boolit if I need to shoot 100yds hunting.

I've always read that the 358429 likes to be driven hard for best results. Maybe try a powder that produces more pressure. LilGun is sort of on the low side for pressure, while Win 296 develops full 357 magnum pressure and gets about the same velocity. I notice you said you tried 2400. I used a lot of 2400 back when we could get it here in West Oz, and I seem to recall working up to a load of 13 grains behind my 180 grain bullet without any pressure indicators.
I use Accurate molds 36-175-B with 14 grains of 296, in my Marlin cowboy. Cast from coww & 2% tin they go right at 180 grains and do all I need out to 200 yds .

When I had my Winchester 94AE it would shoot the 358429 into about 3-4 moa@100yds at 1650 fps. When our range went to 200 yds I could ring my 12" gong every time off the bench so the accuracy seemed to hold at longer ranges. I used max loads of 296 in the 15 gr range.

Yeah, I tried 12 gr 2400 and it was wild enough that I couldn't see it working- maybe I was wrong. I both love and hate working up loads. The #7 load is slower, but higher pressure than the Lil gun loads- all of them. I would be happy with 3 MOA fecmech. Y'all using mag primers with 2400?

rcbs 180 sil gc boolit 11.5gr 2400 shoots well out to 200 yards<3ft drop > 2inches at 100 yards 1250 fps ,use std primers

The best accuracy I get out of mine is w/ a MP 359-640 pushed by a healthy charge of H110/W296. This bullet is known to be extremely accurate and at 170 grains, solid, it hits hard. If I do my part it will shoot MOA at 100 yards. Since I use it for deer hunting this is more than acceptable.

I tried a lot of other bullets and they all failed in some area. The most frustrating was the 358156. I gave up and only shoot it in my revolvers. The only other bullet I use in the 1894C is the 359125 from MP. It’s a light plinking bullet that’s quite accurate.

Thanks guys, I got AA#9 12.3 gr to shoot better than the Lil gun with the LBT 180 WFNG at 100 yds. Still clusters around 1" at 50 yds but is much tighter at 100 than Lil Gun, and looks like it is shooting as well as I can shoot it (3-4") within my limitations- rest, short barrel, tight trigger etc. All of these #9 loads were good enough to put it in the kill zone on a deer if I do my part , no wild shots, etc. I think I'm good. Thanks!

my 357 1873 will shoot nice with 12 gr. n110 and small rifle primers 158 gr. copper plated to 50 metres. at 100 its kind of iffy but i can hit an 8 inch target most of the time. at 125 its no longer usefull for a target and 150 you would need half a sheet of plywood to catch all your shots. i dont know why the error multiplies my 44 40 is better but still too unpredictable past 100