i think my next rifle will be a lever

[jballs918]

well guys the 30-30 post got me thinking alot about my next rifle i want to get next. i have a winchester model 64 prewar in a 32ws in a nice trapper configuration. so now my thinking is that i was looking at a 38/357 model. i have really liked the marlin 1894c. its a nice gun and i would think that it wood make a great deer gun. i have an old vxii loepold 3x9 for the glass for it. now my question for all of you that has one of these is what kind of boolit can you run in it. like will swc or rn cycle properly. i cast 158swc right now. i have more 38 brass then i know what to do with. i was thinking about a 223 but from all the reading about them they are nothing but a pain to deal with so im starting to head towards a level action. well any advice that you all can offer would be great thanks guys

[Junior1942]

My advice: it doesn't need "glass" on it. Especially 3x9 "glass."

[txbirdman]

I've got a Marlin 1894C with the XS sight system that I like very much. The RFN bullet designs feed well in either .38 or .357. I also use the 358429 unsized and deepseated ---- crimped on the forward band. However the most accurate and useful ( at least for me) is the 358156 ahead of 14.5 gr. of 2400. This combination functions well and is about all I need in a .357. BTW I absolutely love this little gun.

[joatmon]

I use the 358156 also and in my1894CP they feed great loaded in 38 or 357 brass.

[Jack Stanley]

I found a 1894c many years ago for a good price , since it came with a scope I left it on . One and a half to five power I think it is and seems to work fine . Critters the size of deer might not "need" a scope but this set-up helps when I'm out walking after chucks .
I use a hundred and eighty-five grain LBT bullet using both the thirty-eight and three fifty-seven cases . Both loads feed great and will drill one ragged hole at twenty-five yards . Wadcutters fired singleshot are good too , one of these days when I load for it again , I'll try wadcutters seated out to almost touch the rifling and see what happens .

Jack

[k8bor]

I shoot 180 lead gas checked out of my 1894C (group buy 180RF) all the time. Another good bullet I've found is the Lee LLC. It feeds like butter and they are really accurate.

I bought this rifle six months ago, only shoot xs sights on it, and with practice even at 60 yrs. old, I can still shoot into 2.5" at 60 yards. Should have bought this one 10 years ago. One of the best shooting invesments I ever made. Reloading for it is a snap.

My complete vote of approval.

k8bor

[unique]

I bought a 1894C 9 months ago and it quickly became my favorite firearm. There is just something special and appealing about this rifle. The 357 Mag is a completely different cartridge when fired in a rifle. Its one of those guns that when you pickup and fire it it just feels right.

I have tried many different load combinations and settled on 125gr JSP remington bullets with 15gr 2400 powder. The 358156 cast with a gas check with 14gr 2400 was the most accurate load but I shoot this rifle so much I couldn't cast fast to keep it fed.

Brass last forever, you can use carbide dies so no lubing, miserly powered demands, wide range of bullets, it just doesn't get any better than this.

[hydraulic]

Jballs: I'm interested to hear more about your '64 trapper. I have never seen one, but I did have a '94 15 inch, several years ago. Madis (Winchester book) mentions that shorter than standard barrels were available in the '64 but doesn't mention what lengths. Does yours have a half magazine like the rifles or does it go to the end of that short barrel? Sure would like to see a picture. At the time I owned that 15 inch it was illegal, but since then it has been classed as a curio.

[carpetman]

Jballs--My .223 doesn't shoot cast but it does great with jacketed. My .222's and 22-250 shoots cast or jacketed.