Joe S.
.401 Bobcat
Posts: 2,517
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Post by Joe S. on Dec 25, 2018 11:26:54 GMT -5
I lucked up and was able to grab this Marlin 1894CST from a local seller recently. This rifle has a 16 1/4 inch threaded barrel chambered in 357 magnum, is stainless, and has black painted wood stocks. Other than the barrel length and chambering, it is totally different than any other lever action rifle I typically go for, but the thing was so darn cool I had to have it. I’m glad it worked out. Well I picked it up Sunday. My nephew rode with me, so of course I had to let him shoot it first when we got back since he took time out of his busy teenager schedule to hang out with his grumpy old uncle. Here he is putting some 38 special on steel from about 15 yards.  After they left, I dug out my old scout rail and mounted it up. Since I don’t have a scope or rings yet, I was going to mount my Burris Fast Fire 3 on the rail and just use that for the time being. It would not fit on this rail. So I’m guessing it is for a Picatinny, and this is a Weaver style, or vice versa. I was a little disappointed to figure that out. No worries. I will just use iron sites for now.  So now the hunt begins for the “perfect“ scout scope. I’m going to have to have a combination of great quality and good price for this set up. I also want to mount the scope with quick detach rings. I’m pretty sure I’m going to settle on the Warn or Burris quick detach rings, but if there’s any others out there that y’all would recommend let me know please. And any opinions on scout scopes are welcome. I’m pretty excited about this little rifle. I think it will be a good little shooter. |
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Post by coldtriggerfinger on Dec 25, 2018 15:43:24 GMT -5
Sadly imo, Scout Scope technology hasn't advanced like Tactical scopes have.
There is still the Leupold . it works for daylight shooting.
I had a Leupold 4 power pistol scope mounted on my 500 A-Sq. It worked ok for big game hunting. But really wasn't that great. But, I shot it A lot and it held zero.
I think Nikon makes a Scout scope .
A good friend has a Marlin in 357. It is very impressive as to the speed 125 gr bullets can be shot at.
Nice looking rifle you have there !
Congrats
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Joe S.
.401 Bobcat
Posts: 2,517
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Post by Joe S. on Dec 25, 2018 15:59:58 GMT -5
Thanks. I really like it. Shot it a little today at 50 yards and it grouped quite well with the XS sights. I think I’ll like it.
I had a 1894 CP for a little while a few years back. I probably should have used these sights on it. I couldnt get it sighted in to satisfy me so i sold it. That, too, was a great rifle.
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Post by 45MAN on Dec 25, 2018 18:00:44 GMT -5
IF A SCOUT SCOPE IS A GOOD SIGHTING SYSTEM FOR A RIFLE THERE IS SOMETHING I AM MISSING! I HAVE A STEYR SCOUT RIFLE IN .376 STEYR, AND ALTHOUGH I AM STRICTLY A HANDGUN HUNTER, I HAD TO USE IT TO HUNT NILGAI ON INVITES TO RANCHES WHERE HANDGUNS WERE NOT PERMITTED, IT SUCKED, SO I TOOK IT OFF AND PUT A LEUPOLD 1.5x4 RIFLE SCOPE ON IT (BIG IMPROVEMENT) AND I GOT A YOUNG BULL WITH IT.
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Joe S.
.401 Bobcat
Posts: 2,517
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Post by Joe S. on Dec 25, 2018 18:33:54 GMT -5
They take some getting used to I understand. It will be the first time I’ve played with one so I may not like it. We will see.
But I’ve got the rail so I want to at least try it.
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Post by crazycarl on Dec 25, 2018 20:23:48 GMT -5
Put a good red-dot sight on it. I know it's heretical to some, but a RDS is perfect for most levergun uses.
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Joe S.
.401 Bobcat
Posts: 2,517
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Post by Joe S. on Dec 25, 2018 21:07:19 GMT -5
...it's heretical to some... I mean, it is stainless with a threaded barrel and painted stocks... Oh, and a scout rail... I am not into “tactical leverguns”, but this one is not a traditional rifle by any means. I have a Sig Romeo 5 and have considered buying another for this. If I can’t settle on a scout scope, i may sell the rail, add a single base on the front set of holes and slap a red dot on it. |
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Post by coldtriggerfinger on Dec 25, 2018 21:44:05 GMT -5
I know some people just can't figure out a scout scope. Since there are plenty of rifles set up for scout scopes. And people shooting them well. I'm amazed people that don't like them are so vocal about it.
Scout scopes work. And work well.
I have a good friend that has a Ruger Frontier rifle. He couldn't get used to the scout scope. But, he didn't practice with it. So, he sucked with it. I think that your little Marlin is about the ultimate rifle to have a scout scope on.
I hate a conventionally mounted scope on a lever action carbine . Just gets in the way of comfortable carrying.
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Post by crazycarl on Dec 25, 2018 22:23:33 GMT -5
I've got an Aimpoint clone on my Guide Gun. .45-70 can't kill it or shift zero & it puts 5 rds into one big ol' ragged hole at 50yds. I 'imagined' it as a close-in/heavy woods hog or bear gun. Sadly no chance (yet) to prove the concept, but it sure is fun.
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Joe S.
.401 Bobcat
Posts: 2,517
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Post by Joe S. on Dec 25, 2018 22:50:47 GMT -5
If it works and you enjoy it, there’s nothing else to prove.  |
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Post by coldtriggerfinger on Dec 26, 2018 5:06:16 GMT -5
I've seen some Marlin Guide Guns with Aim Point or similar sights on them . The guys that had them really liked them for bear protection and deer hunting. Super fast on target and sufficient accuracy for most deer hunting up here.
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Post by 45MAN on Dec 26, 2018 7:55:36 GMT -5
IF LIGHT IS GOOD, THE ANIMAL IS STANDING STILL AND IT IS NOT TOO FAR AWAY, THE SCOUT SCOPE WORKS OK, BUT LOW LIGHT, A MOVING TARGET AND/OR TOO MUCH DISTANCE (100 YARDS PLUS) AND THE SCOUT SCOPE SUFFERS, AT LEAST THAT IS MY EXPERIENCE.
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Post by warhawk on Dec 26, 2018 8:12:16 GMT -5
I’ve been on the lookout for a Silver Nikon rifle scope. They have a line of Scout scopes (EER scopes) that comes in Silver and aren’t too expensive.
Something like an Aimpoint Pro with the super long battery life might be a good option too.
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Post by matt56 on Dec 26, 2018 17:58:34 GMT -5
I waited for a few months for my LGS to find a 1894 CST for me. I've got it on layaway now with a Silencer Co. Hybrid in suppressor jail too. I'm waiting for Marlin to make a threaded 1895 and I'll be buying that also.
What I really can't wait to find out is if it will stabilize subsonic 180gr loads.
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Post by warhawk on Dec 27, 2018 14:26:12 GMT -5
I waited for a few months for my LGS to find a 1894 CST for me. I've got it on layaway now with a Silencer Co. Hybrid in suppressor jail too. I'm waiting for Marlin to make a threaded 1895 and I'll be buying that also. What I really can't wait to find out is if it will stabilize subsonic 180gr loads. My 1894c is an older pre safety gun. It has shot well with everything I've run through it, including lots of 170 and 180 grain stuff. The 357 and 45 Marlins have the proper faster twist barrel and are much more likely to be accurate than the 44 Magnums with the 1:38 twist barrel that is often oversize. Good luck |
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