Mine likes heavier bullets. I have mostly 158grn SJSP. The 158’s do well but, I popped a tube full of my hunting rounds. 180grn and I seemed to have tighter groups with the 180grn

 

I have the same gun. I use the same load in all of my Marlin 357's.

I cast a NOE 180 gr WFNGC, sized to .358" with a gas check and loaded over 11.5 gr of 2400.

Muzzle velocity of 1400 fps and accurate to 100 yards and more.

You can go heavier on the load but there is no need to in my opinion.

My Marlin 1894 CB LTD shoots every load well. I also have a light plinker load using a Lee 358-125-RF over 4 gr of Unique.

There is something about the CB LTD. I have one in 45 Colt and it is also an outstanding shooter.

I have a thing for Marlins with long octagon barrels. I have an 1894 in 32-20 from 1901 and a 336 CB LTD in 38-55. All are outstanding shooters.

 

I use the Hornady 158 XTP with about 15 grains of W296. Going to try it on a Muley this fall. Or I might use my brand new Winchester 1892 44 mag.

 

I have two. First, the 158-grain Hornady XTP Flat Point (not Hollow Point). The second is the Montana cast bullet (180 grains) sized .359. Using Hodgdon L'il Gun for both, with 17.5 grains I get 1,845 fps with the XTP, and using 15.0 grains I get 1,780 fps with the Montana. Both are good deer loads (killed deer with both). My 1894 has the 18.5" barrel.

 

My 1894 CB does well with just about any 158-gr. jacketed bullet - not so much with any cast at that weight.
However, it shines with heavier bullets. My 180-gr. Saeco 354 GC cast over 15.0 grs. of Lil' Gun for 1,675 fps. is very accurate. If I need a jacketed bullet, then the 180-gr. Hornady XTP propelled by W296 or good ole 2400 gets the nod.

 

Lee 358-158-RF

 

Pictures 656 by t410er, on Flickr
50 yds

 

Hornady 140gr XTP seem to be perfect for light recoil and enough weight for penetration, higher velocity than 158gr.

 

Thats my favorite bullet in my Ballard rifled gun. I have shot 110gr and 125gr and they shoot OK but like all the others I get better accuracy with heavier bullets. The 140s are as light as I like to go. Also 158gr XTP HPs and Remington 160gr soft points I bought a couple of decades ago from Midway. Those are the heaviest I have and have tried but would love to try some 180soft point XTP bullets.

 

I note that nobody has listed the 125 grain bullets.
Seems I heard something a long while back as to the reason folks stay away from that bullet...

 

"I note that nobody has listed the 125 grain bullets.
Seems I heard something a long while back as to the reason folks stay away from that bullet... "


If you read my post above you will see that I mentioned the Lee 125 gr bullet.

I shoot mostly 180 gr bullets in mine. Then one day on a whim I decided to try to emulate my favaorite 32-20 load in my 357 Cowboy. The closest mold that I had was a Lee 358-125-RF.

I loaded these over 4 gr of Unique. At 50 yards they basically go into one hole.

I had always heard that Marlins preferred heavy bullets so this really surprised me.

I went home and loaded a box of 50 and I am going to test them at 75 and 100 yards.

 

I appreciate all the suggestions. A lot of variety. I will likely try a lot of these loads, especially the cast loads. Thank you all.

 

Depends on the game. For deer, I like the Hornady 140 grain xtp on top of Alliant 300 MP at 1980. For bigger game, the 158-180 grain pills are the bullet of choice.

 

For Hunting I use the Hornady 180 XTP pushed down the barrel with Lil'Gun.

 

Thanks for all the replies. Lots of interesting choices.

I ran off a couple hundred Lee C358-158-SWC bullets this evening to test in the Marlin.

 

I have most of Lee's offerings in 35 caliber, so I'll be doing a mess of testing as time allows. I had a handful Lee 358-140-SWCs loaded in 38 Special brass left from a batch I tested in my wife's Smith 686 a few years ago. I tested them for function in the rifle, and they feed like possum grease.

Along with the aforementioned C358-158-SWC, I ran off a few pounds of the Lee Lee TL358-158-SWC to try. I'll tumble lube them with my LLA/JPW lube. I think I'll try them as cast. I don't do that much, might be a nice change of pace.

 

I
I made a couple of dummy cartridges with the TL358-158-SWC tonight, and they feed like butter though my 1894 Cowboy.

 

Hey all I just picked up a new 1894. I ordered some Federal Hammerdown 170 gr. A friend of mine uses it in his Henry took several deer with it. He is an experienced hunter and is pleased with it.

I also ordered some CCI BLAZER BRASS 357 MAGNUM 158GR JHP for target rounds and have been reading there were previous problems with it. Most of those posts are pretty old and I think we’re pertaining to the aluminum when Remington was making the Marlins but I read there were all sorts of QC issues.

Then I see in the manual not to use Blazer. Is the Blazer Brass a problem? I have likewise read people feeding Blazer Brass with no issues? I can always use the Blazer in my Henry model I’m just curious. Thanks.

 

Blazer rounds swell excessively in my .357 revolver and make for hard extractions. I don’t dare use them in my Marlin for fear of extraction issues

 

I have three bullets I load for my Marlin 1894C(bought in 1982 as my first rifle at 18).
In nickle plated cases I load 357 with Hornady 125gr XTP-FP for my vermin/critter load.
In brass cases I load for the 357 Hornady 158gr XTP-FP for hunting..
My hunting for hogs or as of late deer too is a 180gr RNFP.

 

Thanks for sharing. That's a good looking bullet. What brand/make is it?

 

From robsbullets.com.
Great guy who also supplies me with hard-cast .600" round balls for my shotgun hog tri-ball 3" and double ball 2.75" 12ga loads.

 

I wasn't aware of them, thanks for sharing.

 

I have killed a number of deer with the 158 grain Hornady XTP hollow point using Paco Kelly's H110 load. All have been pass throughs, all have been double lung shots and I have never fired more than one bullet per deer. I have a 158 grain RCBS SWC gas check load that hits to the same point of impact as the XTP load. This is great for practice. I have never shot a deer with the cast bullet but it is certainly as accurate as the XTP to 100 yards. I am not a master bullet caster or reloader but my 1894 seems to shoot a lot of loads pretty accurately.

I also have an Ruger M77/357 with a nice scope on it and it has never been as accurate as the 1894. This is not intuitive to me and have no theories as to why.

Where I hunt, 75 yards would be an average shot. I consider a .357 carbine completely adequate for deer at this range if I do my part and place the bullet through the lungs.

 

Thanks. I have a box of XTP Hollow Points to try. Should be interesting to see how they perform. What is Paco's load? Not that I don't have a loading manual, just wondering what his is.

 

Check the articles in Leverguns.com. Kelly has one on the .357. for Marlins. I am reluctant to give grain numbers these days.

 

Thanks. I forgot about leverguns.com, though I am a member of the forum.

 

I’ve shot my fair share of firearms over 53 years. I just shot my Marlin 1894 .357 for the first time and I will say it is the funnest rifle I ever shot! I sighted in the Buckhorn Sites and then Leupold Delta Point Pro reflex. Phoenix Weaponry had the adapter for the red dot all just perfect! It keeps the sight low enough for a good cheek weld. Now I just need some purple loctite 222. Abomination or not, the reflex red dot on is a blast and helps my old eyes!

I shot an assortment of .357 including the Blazer Brass JHP 158 grain, AE 158 gr JHP, Federal 158 gr JHP and some Federal .38 fmj 130 gr. Only one failure to feed and it was easily cleared but it may have been due to me not fully cycling the action. I did talk to a few people and it seems Blazer Brass problem has been mitigated and most of the problems were with aluminum. Next go round i will site the red dot into my Federal Hammerdown 170 gr so it is ready.

I only went out to 36 yards today. I can go as long as 75 yards on my property and will take longer shots next time.

 

I’ve shot my fair share of firearms over 53 years. I just shot my Marlin 1894 .357 for the first time and I will say it is the funnest rifle I ever shot! I sighted in the Buckhorn Sites and then Leupold Delta Point Pro reflex. Phoenix Weaponry had the adapter for the red dot all just perfect! It keeps the sight low enough for a good cheek weld. Now I just need some purple loctite 222. Abomination or not, the reflex red dot on is a blast and helps my old eyes!

I shot an assortment of .357 including the Blazer Brass JHP 158 grain, AE 158 gr JHP, Federal 158 gr JHP and some Federal .38 fmj 130 gr. Only one failure to feed and it was easily cleared but it may have been due to me not fully cycling the action. I did talk to a few people and it seems Blazer Brass problem has been mitigated and most of the problems were with aluminum. Next go round i will site the red dot into my Federal Hammerdown 170 gr so it is ready.

I only went out to 36 yards today. I can go as long as 75 yards and will go longer next time. View attachment 988680

Very nice! I love how the grain shows through the checkering.

 

That is a beauty. I've been thinking of getting one. Thanks for the tip on the Phoenix mount as I might have to go that route because of my eyes.

 

Burningtown, What a beautiful rifle. What year and manufacture is it?

 

MDTrailrider: Marlin 1894 brand new 2024. I’m sold on the Marlins now that Ruger has them. I have two Henry’s and love them but this Marlin is just phenomenal!

405gr: this is the link to the mount. I am thrilled because I tried the Delta Point Pro on my Henry.22 mag lever but it was on a pic rail and was way to high. This mount keeps it so low I can get a proper cheek weld. I’m relatively new to Levers and am just addicted now lol!

https://www.phoenixweaponry.com/store/Marlin-1894-Red-Dot-Mount-p506617972