Home Forums Lever Action Central Cowboy Levers Need a Load Advice for 357 mag rifle.

I have a Marlin 1874C with an 18 inch brl. in .357 Mag. My local
gun club has started a Cow Boy silhouette shoot once a month.
They use steel chickens, pigs, turkeys, and rams at 25yds-50yds-75yds and 100yds.
I am an experienced hand loader but I could some advice on what to load.

Thanks....Rabbitdog

Just got a 1894C in .357 about a month ago. So far the best load I've found is 158 grn Hornady flat points with 6.0 grns Bullseye. But I'm really just getting started with it.

Thanks for the reply. I'll give them a try.

Rabbitdog

I'm thinking that you'll need lead bullets? If so, I recommend 180 grain bullets over a healthy dose of H110 to get around 1600 fps. If they allow that kind of velocity. If not, I'd still go with the heavier bullets to get good knock down power at 100 yards.

SASS rules limit the velocity to 1100 fps from rifles IIRC. Been a while since I've shot cas...

If jacketed bullets are OK, then go for Hornady 180 grain XTP's or truncated cone fmj (meant for silhouette) with the H110.

I get excellent accuracy with the XTP's and H110 from my Marlin 94CS.

the 1894C is a fine rifle.they do have some feeding problems with some bullets.they really like the lee 158 gr RF (round flat) bullet in 357 mag brass.it feeds smooth in my rifle.I have been using 6.0 grs unique in my loads and would work very well for what your wanting to do.
pete

158 gr LEE RF

I have shot a lot of 158 ge Flat points that I buy from Bonus bullets in my Rossi .357.They work great and I shot the samebullet deisgn inmy 44mag Marlin. Niether one likes semi wad cutters though

Don't know about 100yds,but you had best be shooting lead at 25 yds or so if you are shooting steel.I believe SASS requires it.

I think you will find if you start to shoot stout loads with lead,you are going to get some leading unless you use gas checks.

I'm with Pete, good load for the purpose!

Pete: I was thinking of casting some wheelweight bullets for
my '73 Marlin .44 Mag., however I heard that the 'microgrooving' will cause leading. I would want to use them for hunting, so the loads would be fairly 'stiff'. Any
comment? Also, are your bullets gas checked?

Not Pete here but if you go to www.beartoothbullets.com and click on the FAQs you'll find some info about the micro-groove barrels.
Hope this helps some.

My 1894C has Ballard rifling and shoots lead just fine.

txpete, I am new to the 1894C rifles and am wondering if they feed .38 Specials as well as .357 Magnums. I picked one up the other day and have not had a chance to shoot it. I plan on using it for CAS. I need to use .38 Special cartridges because I can get 10 of them in the magazine. I have a bunch of 158 grain SWC reloads but can go to RNFP bullets if necessary. Any suggestions would be appreciated.

Microgoove shoot lead just fine. Anther "gun writer myth" like the 243 is better than the 244.

38 Specials feed fine in my 1894C.

I tried mine and had some jams when trying to work the action quickly with .38 Special cartridges. I can load one round, put it on my lap horizontally, work the action quickly, and get it to jam most times. The base of the cartridge is angled out towards the ejection port. It does not seem to do this with .357 Magnum cartridges.