Best Bullet Design for Marlin 1894C

[PJEagle]

So far I have been loading 165 Grain SWC's for my JM .357. I am curious as to what bullet designs provide the best accuracy for others.

[Outpost75]

My best grouping has been with Hunter's Supply .358", 190-grain FN.

Accurate Molds has a clone 36-185E which Tom identifies on his website as being for his Marlin 1894.

233404

[PJEagle]

Thank You.

I may put that one on my list for 2019.

[Jack Stanley]

Mine tends to like a 185 Grain LBT LFN bullet . The heavier "cowboy" bullets do pretty well also .

Jack

[sghart3578]

I have tested this extensively in my JM Marlin 1894CS and my brand new 2018 Remington/Marlin 1894C.

I load a 180 gr WFNGC and a 162 gr SWC GC, both sized to .360".

With the loads being equal my rifles get better groups with the SWC design. I don't hunt any more, just fling lead down range.

YMMV.

Best of luck,


Steve in N CA

I should add that these results are for my rifle, yours may be different. And the difference in accuracy was negligible at ranges under 75 yards. At 100 yards you could see a marked difference.

[gundownunder]

My Marlin 1894 CB likes the Accurate 36 - 175 B, which casts at 180 grain with COWW & 2% tin. Out of a friends 1894 C that same bullet cut group size by near 50%. I could get just under 1.5", he got it down to under 1".

[PJEagle]

Thanks to all of you for your advice and a special thank you to Outpost75 for the Accurate Molds catalog page.

It looks like 180-190 grains with the correct bullet and powder is where I'm headed.

[smkummer]

I just got my almost new 1996 made 1894CS Sunday. Just shot steel with it at 25, 50 and 100. Even though micro groove, it shot all of my hard cast .358 sized bullets well. Including in 38 special: Lyman 358311 ( 158 RN), Lee TL358-158SWC (and in 357). I am going to use it in cowboy action, so I am going to try Lee’ 358-125 RF. I like the fact that it feeds and shoots the bullets I load for handgun just fine.

[sghart3578]

I just asked Tom to add a new design to his Accurate catalog and, no surprise, he did it in record time.

http://www.accuratemolds.com/bullet_detail.php?bullet=36-177HG-D.png

I want something heavy for my Marlins but I wanted a slightly more aerodynamic nose for longer distances.` I am trying for a RCBS silhouette type bullet with a slightly larger meplat for game. I wanted a front section short enough to cycle through my rifles when crimped in the crimp groove.


Steve in N CA