Did I get a good deal for used 1894c?

[Capt. Cormorant]

I paid $506.XX out the door for a used .357/1894c 18.5 inch barrel.
It has XS Ghost rings sights, XS lever scout mount and a Bushnell Trophy Multi-Reticle Red Green Dot scope. The condition looks to be 99%. After I bought it I went to the range and put 100 reloads with no jams. It was on my wish list so when I saw it I bought it on impulse. I know the gun store said it was a good deal but you can't always trust them. Sometimes they just want to make a sell….

Next what are some good reloads to shoot out of it? I'm looking for accuracy for paper shooting. Right now I have 125 grain Zero JHP that I'm reloading for my snub nose pistols.

Thanks,

Dale

 

[jchapm9]

Sounds like you got a nice Marlin! With the scope you did just fine.

 

[Cary]

I paid $506.XX out the door for a used .357/1894c 18.5 inch barrel.
It has XS Ghost rings sights, XS lever scout mount and a Bushnell Trophy Multi-Reticle Red Green Dot scope. The condition looks to be 99%. After I bought it I went to the range and put 100 reloads with no jams. It was on my wish list so when I saw it I bought it on impulse. I know the gun store said it was a good deal but you can't always trust them. Sometimes they just want to make a sell….

Next what are some good reloads to shoot out of it? I'm looking for accuracy for paper shooting. Right now I have 125 grain Zero JHP that I'm reloading for my snub nose pistols.

Thanks,

Dale

Dale,
What weight of bullet are you wanting to use? Are you interested in cast or jacketed bullet loads? I have a M94AE Trapper in 357 mag and really like it. I predominately use 180 grain cast bullets in mine as I cast my own for it. You should really enjoy that gun.
Cary

 

[perpster]

With the extras you describe it sounds like you did well. Enjoy!

 

[Capt. Cormorant]

Thanks for the reply's!

 

[Capt. Cormorant]

Dale,
What weight of bullet are you wanting to use? Are you interested in cast or jacketed bullet loads? I have a M94AE Trapper in 357 mag and really like it. I predominately use 180 grain cast bullets in mine as I cast my own for it. You should really enjoy that gun.
Cary

I want to use 125 grain JHP because I have about 1000 bullets left. It's the same I'm using in my revolvers. The first loads I shot were 7.3 grains of Universal with the 125 JHP. I had loaded for my snubnose but ran them through 1894c. But the accuracy was very poor out of the rifle.

 

[Cary]

Dale,
I have very little experience with 125 grain bullets in 357 mag. Early on in my shooting and reloading for 357 mag I changed over to 158 gr bullets and larger for my revolvers and my Trapper.
Cary

 

[Capt. Cormorant]

Once I shoot these 125 grain bullets up. I will be switching to the 158 grain JHP or JSP.

 

[Skip Sackett]

The wife has a Marlin 1894CB. It has the 20" barrel and I have some 158gr XTP loads that run right at 2100fps out of it. This load came out of Rifle magazine #226 July 2006.

We haven't taken any animals with them yet, but we will!

 

[Capt. Cormorant]

How are your groups at 50 and 100 yards?

 

[Skip Sackett]

Here is a post from another forum where I reported how she shot them.

"We went to the range tonight and she put 5 rounds in a 2" circle @ 100 yards. I suppose that should get the job done if the bullet stays together! "

 

[Capt. Cormorant]

Could you give me the load data for what your using?

 

[Skip Sackett]

Cap'n,

I usually don't do this but.......................... This is a reprint from the LoadData site.

Here is the disclaimer from their site:
"Warning! Notes: Marlin Model 1894 Cowboy Carbine with a 20-inch barrel used to test all loads. Starline cases and CCI 550 Small Pistol Magnum primers used throughout. (Rifle Issue #226 - July, 2006)
Be Alert: Publisher cannot be responsible for errors in published load data."

It applies here for me too.


Here it is: "158 Hornady HP/XTP Hodgdon Lil'Gun 19.0 1,987
Remarks: penetration (inches): 13.0" "

Now, let me make a suggestion. Go to www.loaddata.com and get yourself a subscription to the data. It is really nice because all of the data that is in the feature articles of Handloader, Rifle and Successful Hunter are listed in it too.

Hope this helps. Remember the disclaimer.

 

[Capt. Cormorant]

Thanks for the load information and don't worry I won't blow myself up. I'll let my wife shoot it first "joke". I'll cross reference it before I load it. I'll also check out loaddata.com

Thanks,

Dale

 

[Poohgyrr]

That is a good Lever. The 158 gr loads are fine, the longer barrel does wonders for the .357.