Guys

I need a good load for a .38 special and .357 mag load for a 1894 marlin carbine.
I have decided to shoot this more for jack rabbits. I have a good load that is accurate in my model 28 Smith using 158 grainers but have not tried them in the Marlin yet as I kinda want to just shoot .38 specials for ths noise difference.


Thanks in advance for your suggestions.


Cal30

Anybody?


Cal30

I couldn't get good accuracy in mine with cast bullets so I'm using 158 grain jacketed soft points with 2400 powder. Had to install a lower front sight, though, but I'm satisfied. I don't shoot .38 Specials in it.

Leo

Are you using @ 14-15 grains of 2400?

What kind of groups are you getting at 50 yards?


Just curious.


Cal30

I had a Marlin 1894 in .357 back in the 80s. The only load I had in .38 Special cases was a 200 gr. round-nose cast bullet with 10.0/2400. I borrowed the mould, so I don't have the number, but I think it was a fairly common mould in the past that has now been discontinued. That load would shoot about 2.5 inch groups at 100 yards. I had a Leupold 2.5x compact scope on it.

I finally found my Lyman cast bullet book. The mould I used was #358430. My bullets came out just about 200 gr. I normally use an alloy of wheelweights plus a little bit of Ludlow metal (about like linotype metal) to bring up the tin content.

Dale I have an old Stith 2.5 power scope with a very fine dot in it. Took it out today but could not find a jack rabbit to shoot.

I wish the .38 specials would shoot closer to the point of impact to the .357 mags.

At 40 -50 yards the .357 rounds shoot @ 6" higher than do the .38 rounds.

I just need to set down and experiment with some different loads to see if I can get them to hit closer.

I was just hoping somebody could save me alot of time.

I think it would be possible to to get them to hit the same point of impact with full power .357 loads using 158 grainers and .38 specials by using the same bullet and switching powders.

Or I could just shoot all .38-s and when I run out just rezero for the magnums.
just another dilema I guess, dont relly matter if I cant find a rabbit to shoot anyways.


Cal30

Both jackrabbits and cottontails are scarce around here in east-central Utah now. 4 or 5 years ago they were everywhere. My son and I went out for 2 hours one afternoon and saw 200-250 rabbits. I guess they peaked out then, so we are waiting for the cycle to come around again.

Same here Dale.


No sign of them anywhere I used to slaughter
Them. I figure 2-3 more years for a good recovery. They say every 7 years is gangbusters dont they?


Cal30

quote:

Originally posted by cal30 1906:
Same here Dale.


No sign of them anywhere I used to slaughter
Them. I figure 2-3 more years for a good recovery. They say every 7 years is gangbusters dont they?
Cal30

That is correct. rabbit populations are on a well documented 7 year peak cycle.

cal30,
Just picked up on this old thread. I have an 1894 Marlin 357 w/18" barrel.

Most accurate load for 50 yds. is:
10 gr. HS 7 w/158 gr. jacketed SP or HP

Shoots one ragged hole from the bench.

Most interesting load is 19.3 gr. of Win. 680 or AA 1680 with small rifle primer and 158 gr. JSP. Have not chronographed but velocity is high with low pressure. Accuracy is acceptable.

Fed., Win., and Rem. factory ammo accuracy is considered poor in my gun. I use the Marlin to cull pigs. Most shooting is at very close range, so I get by even with poor accuracy. For night shooting, I use a red dot sight and integrated light. I have used Hornady's 180 gr. XTP bullet with good results on porkers, although current loads show poor accuracy on paper.

Geoff