The day I picked my 1894 .357 up from the FFL I also bought a single box of Federal 158 JSP ammo. I was favorably impressed with the way it shot and promply went back to Farm an d Fleet and bought their remaining boxes of that load.

Along the way I picked up some Blazer 158 jsp and it was OK, but not great. Works for plinking and banging on steel.

When I bought this carbine I did not intend to load for it, but I shoot it a bit more than I thought I would and I take it about everywhere I go now, when I'm off work.
I can order the ammo i'm shooting at a decent price, but shipping costs still suck, and I'd wanna order a dozen boxes or so to make up for it.
And I'm too cheap to do that

Anybody recommend a readily available and accurate load for a decent price? I paid $22 per box for the federals and can get them online for $20.

I have dies on the shelf, unused since the early 90s. What's a clean shooting load for plinking and the odd varmint?

I load for an 1894 and for S&W revolver model 19's and baby them both. 158 RNFP over a middle charge of Universal is easy shooting and fun for everyone. The rifle is a favorite for kids, no kick at all. No where near a maximum charge for either rifle or revolver. About 14 cents each. Dillon 550 is set for one 357 mag load and all my 357's get the same.

Universal....Titegroup.....Trailboss

4 grains of either........158 gr cast boolit

fun plinker load

Yep, 4-5 grs of Universal works. And those are still well below 357 Mag max.

I don't have a clue what the federal load is doing for velocity from the carbine. I do know that it hits well to past 100 yards and is accurate enough.

I'll have to get the books out and see what a factory load match is...

My go to loads in my rifles.

158 grain Speer Gold Dot, over 18.0 grains of Lil Gun.

180 grain Hornady XTP, over 15.0 Lil Gun.

Not cheap but you get what you pay for.