Whats the most accurate small calibre under lever?

[Mozz]

Good morning from the UK.

I have asked my local smith if he could re-chamber my 357/38 Marlin into a 38 sple rifle. The theory being it will be more accurate? Does this theory hold water?

Also in your experience what is the most accurate small calibre under lever– due to law/range/competition restrictions over here we can only use pistol calibres so 38spl, 357mag, 44spl, 44mag and 45 Colt.

Any comments welcomed

Mozz

[Combat Diver]

The most accurate would depend on how tight the tolerances/assembly are in the rifle and cartridge. All can be very accurate but the .38 full wadcutter has a reputation for accuracy at short ranges. Your theory would be correct if all you do is shoot .38 Specials. Allot of work, why don't you just use .357 mag cases load light? They .357 is an accurate cartridge also.

CD

[Nobade]

As the above poster said, load the 357 properly and it is very accurate. Usually heavy rifle type boolits seated long to engage the rifling and big enough diameter to seal properly.

That said, the most accurate Marlin I ever had is a tossup between the 1894CL chambered for 32-20 and my current 1894CB chambered for 45 Colt. Both were/are sub MOA guns with cast boolit loads.

[bobthenailer]

I would also go with a 357 mag case with at least 180 gr bullets for accurate long range loads
My pet load for my marlin 357 is, 357 mag case , fed 100 primer, 4.5 grs of tightgroup with my group buy lee 180 gr fp gc @1037 fps . I also dont use the gas ck with this load.
its super accurate from my gun it will shoot a inch at 50 yards with a 2x7 leupold scope put on for accuracy testing.
but i use a aimpoint red dot for all of my shooting. shooting it off hand up to 100 yards or so it seemes like you can hardly miss
I also have some loads up to 1700 fps with this bullet but cant remember them at this time.
PM me if intrested
also any of the 180 to 200 gr cast bullets sil type bullet would also be a good choice
for my 357 RPM XL single shot pistol the rcbs 200 gr rifle bullet is the most accurate cast bullet.
But would have to be single loaded in the marlin because col would be to long but its super accurate expecially at 100 to 200 yards.

[JayinAZ]

Besides, shortening your chamber would essentially be re-barreling the gun. A smith would have to mill .125" off the rear end of the barrel then hope all the dovetails etc. cut in the barrel lined up correctly when it was screwed back in. It would probably be a mess.

[1Shirt]

"Most Accurate" Depends on the rifle, the load, the shooter, the shooters eyes, ability and age possibly. You can probably get your rifle to shoot well in 357 by playing with the loads, and trying Wddle's suggestion. Good luck!
1Shirt!:coffee:

[williamwaco]

Good morning from the UK.

I have asked my local smith if he could re-chamber my 357/38 Marlin into a 38 sple rifle. The theory being it will be more accurate? Does this theory hold water?

Also in your experience what is the most accurate small calibre under lever– due to law/range/competition restrictions over here we can only use pistol calibres so 38spl, 357mag, 44spl, 44mag and 45 Colt.

Any comments welcomed

Mozz


Don't do it! You are asking for way more trouble than you want to deal with. Reasons have already been given.

In my experience, there is no difference in accuracy. I have been shooting .38s in .357's since 1956. They will group less than 1" at 50 yards from a Thompson Contender .357 Mag ( with scope )

There is no inherent difference in the accuracy of these cartridges. The difference in accuracy will come from the Rifle's inherent accuracy and the loading procedures used.



Enjoy that Marlin as is. It is a fine rifle.


.

[Mozz]

Thank you all for your advice, great clear feed back.

Im getting about a inch and a half at 50 so, I will leave it alone.

The saying, ‘If it isn’t broke don’t fix it’ comes to mind…

[1kshooter]

I would give one of Ranch Dogs fine bullet molds a try I went from so-so groups in my .44 and 45-70 to wow!
http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y149/bowboy/0719012148a.jpg

[1kshooter]

I am not a real great offhand or iron sight shooter so for me this is kick a@@

[Good Cheer]

Good morning from the UK.

I have asked my local smith if he could re-chamber my 357/38 Marlin into a 38 sple rifle. The theory being it will be more accurate? Does this theory hold water?

Also in your experience what is the most accurate small calibre under lever– due to law/range/competition restrictions over here we can only use pistol calibres so 38spl, 357mag, 44spl, 44mag and 45 Colt.

Any comments welcomed

Mozz

Used a lever action .357 twenty years ago for jack rabbits with the RCBS 162 grain SWC in quiet light loaded 38Spls. Had to hold high at range but accuracy was superb.

[gundownunder]

You could try some of the big 180 - 200 gr Silhouette bullets loaded in 38spl cases.
You will find that a number of them, such as the old 180gr RCBS won't fit the OAL in a 357 case but in a 38spl case pushed by powders such as 2400 or 4227 they will cycle as slick as butter and give up very little in the velocity stakes.
This has been common practice by a number of cowboy silhouette shooters for quite some time.