rWt
.375 Atomic
Posts: 1,438
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Post by rWt on May 28, 2016 12:24:20 GMT -5
I'm still contemplating picking up a JM Marlin 1894 in either a .357 Magnum or 45 Colt caliber. If possible, I'd like a trapper length barrel for ease of handling. Primarily a truck/plinking gun. I'll put some form of aperture sight on it-not sure which one yet. I had been thinking of a 45 Colt since I have 3 handguns in that caliber (none in .357) and about 500 rounds loaded-all standard pressure. The "hottest load" is a 270 SAA bullet at about 1,000 fps from a 4" S&W 25-5. Then, I read John Taffin's great article and started thinking about the .357 caliber. At the age of 68 with back and shoulder issues I have come to appreciate light weight and light recoiling rifles and shotguns. I've long since sold my .375 H&H Improved that I took to Africa in the mid-90's. Here is a link to the article sixguns.com/range/Marlin.htmI haven't shot an 1894 in 45 Colt (or .357 for that matter) so I do not know how weight and recoil compare. All thoughts will be appreciated. Thanks! |
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Post by BigBore44 on May 28, 2016 13:28:53 GMT -5
Hello rWt
You really cant go wrong with either for the fun factor. Between the two I personally would lean towards the 45 if you will use it as a hunting gun (Big game, deer, bear etc.) but the 357 would surely work on deer sized critters & under if you pick your shots and range carefully.
I had a 1894/357 and it was a great little gun that was a pure joy to shoot/plink and tote around the woods, shootin stumps/rocks etc, but I traded it off for a 1895CB "Cowboy" 45-70.
I have two 24" 1894CB LTD's in 44 mag and LOVE these. They get shot a whole lot more than the 357 did, but I have to admit to not really being a 357 fan, so I am quite bias towards bigger bore guns.
I say figure out exactly what you want to Primarily use it for, (targets or hunting, Big or Small game?) and make your decision on that. If you plan to shoot cast bullets, Don't get hung up in the Ballard vs. Microgroove rifling debate! Once you pick your caliber and get it in hand, slug your bore and choose a cast bullet 1 or 2 sizes bigger (I prefer +2) and go have some fun. They will shoot!!! I had about 20 Marlin CF rifles at one time (Think I have a dozen or so left) , and as long as you shoot a bullet that "Fits the Gun", you'll have no problem with accuracy or leading.
Now that I said all of that, the ONLY correct answer between 357 or 45 is, GET BOTH!!!!!   Let us know what you go with..........
Good luck... BigBore44
P.S. and Don't leave off there, getcha a, 45-70, 25-20, 32-20 ..... ALL The rest /other calibers can come later...      heheheeeee |
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Post by 2 Dogs on May 28, 2016 13:52:38 GMT -5
I really like my octagon Marlin .357 carbine. The .357 from a carbine is a whole different animal!!!
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Post by jimtx on May 28, 2016 14:08:47 GMT -5
On Armslist East TX there are 2 JM code marlin 1894's for sale 357's one id $850 cash trade $900,,,,,,,,,,,,,the other just listed today for $700 cash. If you interested in one not bad the $700 looks better IMO
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Post by BigBore44 on May 28, 2016 18:25:26 GMT -5
I really like my octagon Marlin .357 carbine. The .357 from a carbine is a whole different animal!!! It sure is! That's one of the things I get a Kick out of when I take one of my 1894 44 mag Cowboys to huntin camp. A few of the guys there razz me that it's NOT a good deer/bear gun, ESPECIALLY, when it's Not wearing a 6.5-20x Hubble Scope, but just a lowly "USELESS" Skinner peep sight...? I gave up arguing with them quite awhile back. They tell me it doesn't have enough horsepower for deer, Especially past 50-75 yds..? They say it's not good for penetration because it's a short & fat bullet...? They say I should sell it and get a good WhizzBangLoudenBoomerMagnum, 270 Win Minimum, and 300WM better yet for the shocking power if I want to be successful and harvest game....? This is mostly all from "friends & 1st timers" of the original Members/Crew at camp. The guy's I hunt with every year just shake their heads, look at me and smile. Those same guy's are Quite perplexed when I come back to camp with a deer laid out on the ATV, AND that I had left my 1894 44 standing in the corner of the cabin since it was groped to death the night before, and me carrying nothing more than a 44 mag short gun on my hip... ? With those same Useless Short Fat Bullets that Are NO GOOD beyond arms length, and Even Than can Barely Puncture a pop can.. The Razzin ceases pert quick after that. God help me if I tried to tell them a 44 isn't a 44 at all, but a 43.... Oooohhhhh,,, I can just Hear it Now! Have I told'ya lately I like them Short & Fat .430's lately... Thank you, Elmer.... BigBore44 |
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Post by dougader on May 28, 2016 19:35:28 GMT -5
I'd be happy with either caliber, but agreeing with 2 Dogs I'm leaning toward the 357. |
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Post by chris623 on May 28, 2016 20:19:22 GMT -5
I'm still contemplating picking up a JM Marlin 1894 in either a .357 Magnum or 45 Colt caliber. If possible, I'd like a trapper length barrel for ease of handling. Primarily a truck/plinking gun. I'll put some form of aperture sight on it-not sure which one yet. I had been thinking of a 45 Colt since I have 3 handguns in that caliber (none in .357) and about 500 rounds loaded-all standard pressure. The "hottest load" is a 270 SAA bullet at about 1,000 fps from a 4" S&W 25-5. Then, I read John Taffin's great article and started thinking about the .357 caliber. At the age of 68 with back and shoulder issues I have come to appreciate light weight and light recoiling rifles and shotguns. I've long since sold my .375 H&H Improved that I took to Africa in the mid-90's. Here is a link to the article sixguns.com/range/Marlin.htmI haven't shot an 1894 in 45 Colt (or .357 for that matter) so I do not know how weight and recoil compare. All thoughts will be appreciated. Thanks! I've got an 1894C Cowboy Ltd. The Cowboy Ltd has the octagon barrel. It's a .357, of course. (that's what the "C" is for) It's just plain fun to shoot. I grin every time I shoot it.........and everyone else I've handed it to to shoot can't seem to wipe the grin off their face. Nothing wrong with a well placed .357 Keith style bullet loaded to +P levels in .38 Special Cases for hunting up to and, I'd imagine, even deer. (Though I've only used it for coyotes) It comes up to shooting position so easily and naturally it's unbelievable. Ya gotta get one. |
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dmize
.401 Bobcat
Posts: 2,825
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Post by dmize on May 28, 2016 21:11:24 GMT -5
Uhhhh that's NOT what the C is for. I have 5 1894C'S,3 are Ltd's and none are 357's.
I prefer my 44,44-40, and 45's. I'm not sure about the 357's but the 44 and 45 chambers are a bit "off" for best accuracy...actually, acceptable accuracy. I think Buffalo Bore lists proper cast bullet sizes for the Marlin lever guns.
44's need a 432 bullet and 45's need a 454 bullet. Or consult 2 Dogs and follow his word,he definitely knows what it takes to make something really shoot.
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Post by needsmostuff on May 28, 2016 21:26:10 GMT -5
Based on what I see locally results may be based more on what you can get as opposed to what you want . More so if you are specifying Marlin. Seems the only new 1984's they are making are 44 mags, at least that is all I see. Used guns in 45 colt and 357 are crazy expensive and more than the new 44's are.
Much easier to find are the Henrys or Rossi's which are both good guns.
I'm afraid to get a Marlin in 357 or 45C you will be forced to deal with the Gunbroker mentality and it cannot be done affordably.
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rWt
.375 Atomic
Posts: 1,438
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Post by rWt on May 29, 2016 7:25:57 GMT -5
Thank you all!
Decisions, decisions.
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Post by BigBore44 on May 29, 2016 7:52:20 GMT -5
Uhhhh that's NOT what the C is for. I have 5 1894C'S,3 are Ltd's and none are 357's. I prefer my 44,44-40, and 45's. I'm not sure about the 357's but the 44 and 45 chambers are a bit "off" for best accuracy...actually, acceptable accuracy. I think Buffalo Bore lists proper cast bullet sizes for the Marlin lever guns. 44's need a 432 bullet and 45's need a 454 bullet. Or consult 2 Dogs and follow his word,he definitely knows what it takes to make something really shoot. Yep...I shoot a .432/.433 (as dropped ) Accurate 43-265M out of my Ltd's. Shoots Grrreat! BigBore44 |
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Post by BigBore44 on May 29, 2016 7:53:29 GMT -5
GET BOTH!!! THAT'S THE ONLY RIGHT ANSWER... BigBore44 |
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Post by dougader on May 30, 2016 12:26:04 GMT -5
Dang it! Now you've got me looking at 94's and 92's in 357, 44 and 45!!! You guys are terrible! Oh, and have you seen the 32 mag listed on GB for $3650? |
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Post by 2sheriffs on Jun 8, 2016 13:00:38 GMT -5
When is Marlin going to start making the 94 in 357 again. You see new ones in 44 Magnum, but no 357's. I like the side eject so I could put a compact low power scope on it. My old eyes don't do to good anymore with open sights. For now I have a Marlin 3082 (336) 30-30 that I can handload as cheap as I can a 44 Mag. I still have 300 Remington Corelock Round Nose 30-30 bullets that I got on sale at Midway USA. I think it was $35.00 including shipping. Yes, that was a few years ago and 2 pounds of H335 and almost 2 pounds of H4895. Well, maybe I don't need that 357 anyway.
Ron
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Post by ezekiel38 on Jun 8, 2016 13:29:10 GMT -5
I've had 2 1894s in 357 and 1 44. All were cartridge length sensitive and when my OAL on the cartrdge went beyond 1.60" I had feeding problems with all three.
The idea was to have a companion carbine to the revolver I packed, with identical loads. Ultimately, I had to change bullets in the revolvers to match the feedability in the carbine. Sorry about; "feedability" it is a real word to me.
I now have a Ruger 77 357 and it's very accurate, but capacity is less than a Marlin. I put a 3X scope on the Ruger and I appreciate the tight groups.
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