Marlin 1894 and HBWC bullets?

[swe1975]

Well guys these single action revolvers and lever guns reproduce like rabbits! So on that note for a Christmas, birthday and end of semester present I just put an 1894 chambered in 357 on layaway.
I was wondering if any of you have shot 148 gr HBWC rounds out of an 1894? How did they work? Do you have any other loads you would suggest?
Thanks,
Scott

[bradshaw]

Why would you want to shoot a Hollow Base Wad Cutter in a rifle?

A weak bullet, pressure-wise. I see risk of blowing the head out the muzzle, while the skirt stops in bore. Particularly if your load develops more pressure than the head-to-skirt junction can stand.

Lever in another round and BOOF... space to hide a robin's egg in the bore.

If you have a mountain of HBWC and must shoot those things, load fast enough to get 'em out the barrel.
David Bradshaw

[swe1975]

I've just had great results with them out of my Blackhawk and didn't know if they could be fired out of a rifle. Just travelling into new territory with lever guns

[kings6]

Legit question if just starting with leverguns and have had good luck in your blackhawk with those bullets. I too think you would be much better off with a solid based bullet in your new rifle however. I am sure some of the guys will give you suggestions on which bullet to try and you might even offer to buy a handful off some of the guys to try and see how they feed throuogh your gun as far as bullet shape goes etc.

[dmize]

Outside of the above mentioned reasons I also see feeding/chambering being a challenge.

[swe1975]

Cool...thanks for the input guys.

[bigmuddy]

When the Marlin 357 first became available a friend who was a LEO bought one because he was supplied with un-limited .38 wadcutters for practice. He was quite disappointed when we found the wadcutters would not feed at all in the 1894. He had to feed them like a single shot. They would cut a ragged hole group at 50 yards however. That was quite a few years ago by the way.

Dan

[Seasons44]

I can't speak on the 357 for that particular bullet, but do load for the 44. Make sure you size your bullets on the large size, in the 44 I am shooting .432-.433 and getting the best accuracy. Marlins are know for it

I would pick a good 180 WFN and go to town, congrats and the new rifle,

[swe1975]

Well guys I brought her home last night. Upon wiping her down I noticed a split/crack in the butt stock and cloudy/streaky blue on the breech bolt....I thought the Remlin quality was now supposed to be better.....ughh.....

[swe1975]

I just got off the phone with customer service. Greg was courteous, helpful and took the time to listen. A shipping label is being generated as we speak. The gun is going back to them for repairs. I have the up most faith that the matter will be addressed and all my expectations will be met.

[dale]

Let me add my opinion to the pile that this is not a real good idea. My Rossi 92 in .45 Colt will not feed wadcutters, and I would be surprised it your Marlin would feed them either. The other issue is that pushing a hollow base wadcutter too fast can result in the skirt being left behind as mentioned above. I would suggest a 158 grain cast SWC, or heavier. The 180 grain mentioned would be excellent. I have a mold for a 190 grain .35 mold sold by Ranch Dog who is currently offline doing something else. I get excellent accuracy in my revolvers with it, although it shoots too high in one of them. I hope to get a .357 lever gun after the craziness ends so i can shoot them in it.

[Deleted]

It should work okay as a "two shooter". One in the mag, one in the chamber. You should only run into issues when you have more than one round in the mag.