Accurate loads for Marlin 357

[bmanis]

I just picked up a Marlin 1894c and need some good loads to try. The first two digits of the serial # is 91.

What are some good loads to try for plinking and hunting and maybe even cat sneeze?

The powders that I have are Unique, 2400. WW 231, IMR 4895 and Russian Unique.

I have access to numerous molds.

I shot a few Mountain Mold 175 gr hollow points charged with 2400 today as round one.

As of now, I don't have any 357 brass but I have hundreds of pieces of 38 special brass.

I've added photos. The Marlin is wearing a one piece Weaver 2-7 scope that belongs to Ben.

Thanks, Bmanis

[Powellcole5490]

Hey if you don't mind me asking, where did you pick up your 1894C? How much? That's going to be my next gun purchase. I can't wait.

[fishnbob]

[QUOTE=bmanis;1743779]I just picked up a Marlin 1894c and need some good loads to try. The last two digits of the serial # is 91.

The date of manufacture is based on the 1st two digits, subtracted from 100.
I just put one on backorder and now the wait begins. I would like to hear about some accurate loads as well, and just exactly how accurate they measure.

I've seen some used ones selling at new prices and beyond on GB.

bmanis, you gonna stick with Cast Boolits or check out some J-Bullets as well?

[btroj]

Mine didn't like any SWC I tried. Not in magnum or special brass.
It loves the Mihec 359640 HP. Doesn't mind if it is fast or slow.

I did find that with the Lyman 358156 it shot better the faster I pushed it but I still wasn't getting better than 3 inches at 50 yards.

[bmanis]

Powell :

I found mine at a gun shop near Birmingham, AL for $400. It doesn't appear to have been fired much at all. It also doesn't have any scratches or blemishes on it. I will post a pic soon.

I have been looking for one in 44, but finding one has been extremely tough. So, when I saw this one, I decided the 44 can wait.

FishnBob: This rifle will only be fed boolits for as long as I have a say so.

[bmanis]

Excess650: Was that 12gr of 2400 in a 38 Special case or 357 case?

[Powellcole5490]

Powell :

I found mine at a gun shop near Birmingham, AL for $400. It doesn't appear to have been fired much at all. It also doesn't have any scratches or blemishes on it. I will post a pic soon.

I have been looking for one in 44, but finding one has been extremely tough. So, when I saw this one, I decided the 44 can wait.

FishnBob: This rifle will only be fed boolits for as long as I have a say so.

Awesome! I'm jealous!!

[fishnbob]

Powell :

I found mine at a gun shop near Birmingham, AL for $400. It doesn't appear to have been fired much at all. It also doesn't have any scratches or blemishes on it. I will post a pic soon.

I have been looking for one in 44, but finding one has been extremely tough. So, when I saw this one, I decided the 44 can wait.

FishnBob: This rifle will only be fed boolits for as long as I have a say so.

Dang, what a deal! They are selling for about the same as new on the auction sites.
I'm still waiting!

[TCFAN]

For a plinking load using 38 special brass my 94C with the so called Ballard rifling likes 4.0 grs of Bullseye with the Lee 158 gr. "cowboy boolit" the 358-158 round flat nose. I shoot the boolit unsized with any small pistol primer. Mine shoot around the 1.5 inch at 50 yards with almost zero recoil using williams peep sights.

For a all purpose load I use the Lyman 358156 HP or the NOE version of the same boolit with 15.4grs of H110 in 357 brass. This powder seems to shoot the best in my rifle with any gas check boolit that i use with WW cast boolits.
You have bought yourself a very fun and useful rifle that is going to take A lot of ammo to keep it happy........................Terry

[fishnbob]

That's a fine group there TCFAN!
Did you keep the front sight original?

[TCFAN]

No when I was shooting groups I was using a Lyman 17-A with a aperture that left plenty of white around the black bull. For general use I use a Millet post with a white line..................Terry

[PacMan]

That 175 grain bullet should do really well with a heavy does of LilGun and a mag primer.

[GH1]

For light plinking I use 3.0 gr of Bullseye under a 158 gr in .38 cases. For full power loads I use 13.5 gr AA#9 with the same bullet in a .357 case.
Congratualtions on your purchase. I think you'll find the little Marlin to be extremely pleasant to shoot and don't be surprise if it becomes you favorite. They're sweet little guns.
GH1

[357Mag]

BMan -

Howdy !

14.5gr WW296 ( H110 same stuff ), SP Magnum primer; under any Lyman
.357" cal SWC of 158 - 172 gr. They don't have to be GC ( at least they did not need to be; in my guns ).

Regards,
.357Mag

[GRid.1569]

4.5 Bullseye, 158 Lee RNFP, .357 Cases (Lapua), Fed SP primers...

Nice Gallery load - I shoot this in comps this side of the pond.... 1894 loves them...