Does anyone have any favorite loads for the Marlin 1894CS lever action 38/357? I purchased a used gun, but have no idea if revolver loads work as well in those longer barrels.

I've had excellent accuracy using 125 JHP and 158 JHP Remington bullets backed up with near maximum charges of H-110 powder and magnum primers.

Less impressive with cast lead bullet loads that proved accurate in my various S&W revolvers.

The microgroove rifling is probably the culprit. I've had to go to cast bullets sized a couple thousandths larger than the usual 0.358" to get any decent accuracy.

I also use the 125 gr JHP with near-max charge of H110. Even if you use a gas check, the leading in your carbine will be much worse than in your six gun. Marlin doesn't use Micro Groove rifling in their cowboy action rifles for the reason he listed above. The carbines are great--have fun.

thad,
Yes, I have some favorite loads for this same rifle. My wife uses it for hunting and has a scope mounted on top of it. At 100 yards it will shoot 1 1/2" groups with a 158gr XTP going over 2000fps and do it all day long.

Now, the load is outside of published data. I didn't work it up by myself though, it is from Rifle magazine in an article done by Brian Pearce. Look for issue #226. The load is his maximum load for Lil' Gun and this bullet.

It is a super load and it isn't hard on the shooter.

Mine does very well with Sierra or Nosler 158 grain JSP bullets and max load of W296. I have never tried cast bullets in this rifle.

I have carbines in both .357 and .44. I've found the loads that shoot well outta my revolvers also shoot well outta the carbines. While single shot and bolt action pistol caliber rifles may hold up to continued use of over max loads, lever action rifles are built with standard SAAMI pressures in mind(35,000psi in .357 mag).....but it's your gun, you shoot what you want.

I advise when shooting plinking loads with jacketed bullets to keep velocities above 1000fps to avoid stickin' a bullet in the barrel.

Lever-action .357 magnum rifles have bolts that lock at the rear. This allows the bolt to spring slightly during firing, stretching the case. Because of this, most manuals showing loads for lever-action rifles in this caliber recommend using only new or once-fired brass for maximum loads.


Enjoy and shoot safe.......

I can tell you this, with the longer barrel H110/W296 really shines!!!!!

I was able to get 1976 fps from a 140gr XTP bullet from that 18.5" barrel using the Max published load data for W296. I clocked a 125gr XTP at a screaming 2239 fps.

IMO there's no reason to load different ammo for your Carbine than your revolver except for being able to use heavier bullets in the Carbine because the longer barrel will allow for better velocity with the heavy bullets. 180gr GC Cast Performance bullets worked well from the Carbine. Using H110 the AV 1547 fps and using Lil'Gun the AV was 1657 fps. With a bullet that heavy traveling at those velocities there isn't a deer in the woods that's safe. I know it's no 30-30 but it's close...

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SWCA #3437

As usual, superb advice from members of The Forum -- thanks, everyone, you've given me plenty to work from.

I shoot SASS with this rifle and Beretta Stampede Marshalls using the same load. I use a 125grain truncated cone cast bullet, Train Boss powder .38 special case and an OAL of 1.34". It works well for this application, accurate and wont beat you to death shooting it all day. PM me for grains of TB.
Cherokee Slim

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