New Marlin 1894C .357

[G-Man WC]

Google maps shows 2.25Hr drive from East bay for me to range.
I did a function check on the new Rossi 92R with .357 snap caps tonight and
it worked well. Memo to self, eye protection.
Need to get the cover off the D-650 and crank out some rounds.
Matching lever/pistols along for the ride in .357 and 45LC.
-g

[Spyder]

You'll shoot yer eye out!!!

[pennstater]

Aha! The Northern Chapter of Lever Rifles has sprung into being! Excellent.
Merry Christmas to the NCLR and all!

[200Apples]

splithoof

Well, I simply couldn't wait to access the SplitHoof Ranch library, so I looked up vintage powder cans on a few auction sites, and my findings seem to suggest 1960's~ manufacture [for pennstater's Herc 2400]

Apples, I'm sending you a pic of something similar.

Got it. I've hosted it here on cg:

Hodgdon can from splithoof.jpg

Spyder

Long haul for most of you folks I know, but G-Man and I are going to do a lever gun shoot up here in Ukiah on the Friday after Christmas, if'n any of you want to come!

Thanks! but... 500 miles and 8 hours' drive. I'm gonna have to request a rain check, and combine that journey with one planned to Montanny! this June for a Coleman Collector convention.

Meanwhile, congrats again, G-Man! and here's wishing you guys as much fun as we've been having during the inaugural Mojave Lever Crew shoots.

[BillyGoatCrawler]

I’d like to make the lever shoot in Ukiah, but I work Fridays. I’d be up for a Mormon Emmigrant shoot after the New Year.

I just ordered this(in stock at Brownells and arrives around 1/4/2019)
https://www.brownells.com/aspx/searc...4866&pid=20402

I’ve had good experience with Wolff springs on other guns and midway has a lot of satisfied reviews. I already have a Trigger Happy trigger in my 45-70CBA, but I’d mainly like to reduce the cycling effort. A lot of that effort is cocking the hammer and then the hammer sliding on the lobe of the bolt as you return to battery. A lighter spring has to help. The kit also comes with the spring for the detent on the lever. I hit mine with a little 600grit to round the sharp edge slightly. That helped, but it’s still stiff to close the lever. The lighter spring will be a good change. Looking forward to it for $11 shipped.

I’ll report back with my experience.

[BillyGoatCrawler]

Just ordered a one piece firing pin to try and lighten it up even more... why not?

[golfish]

Originally Posted by 200Apples

Thanks! but... 500 miles and 8 hours' drive. I'm gonna have to request a rain check,:

That drive out to the Mojave is an pretty far haul for you. I know we can shoot north of the 58. Maybe we should scope (pun intended) that area out so we can make it closer for you, get an area around Mojave. Tom knows that area pretty well.

You guys up north, have a good shoot on Friday, post up some pictures, please.

[200Apples]

That's mighty thoughtful of you. The area north of the 58 and just west of the 14 has a berm that is popular... as in popular with a crowd that exhibits no common sense when shooting. Last time I was there I saw not only more glass bo0ze bottles, but they had been placed *on top!* of the berm... meaning that whoever those clowns were were shooting OVER the top of the berm.

We discovered this when driving down out of a canyon on the marked roadway, and we had determined we were downrange in that errant line of fire... This was over a year ago.

That said, I'm willing to check the area near there, check it out again for another spot better protected from the fools that use that berm. It would probably add 35 minutes to your travel beyond where we've been shooting.

Until we arrive at any new conclusions, however, I'm willing to meet you guys again at "our spot". We've had nothing but good luck there, between the weather and NOT getting shot.

[golfish]

Originally Posted by 200Apples

Until we arrive at any new conclusions, however, I'm willing to meet you guys again at "our spot". We've had nothing but good luck there, between the weather and NOT getting shot.

I'm okay with another 1/2 hr. On the days we go, we really shouldn't have to worry about crowds....but then we did get some flyers over our heads last week.

[pennstater]

Not to let this thread disappear; I'm starting my 10 day wait this Fri on my new Henry .45 Colt. 20" barre. BB steel. Already handloding for it.

[golfish]

Hey Tom, it was good to see you today. Iets make it a once of month thing, we're both pretty close to Phillip's. I don't know how he keeps his prices so low, they're as good or better than the internet sites.

[pennstater]

Agree. While we were there, saw a few goodies I'll be picking up after I p/u the Henry. And, Ace's just called, I start the 10 day tomorrow. Yea!

[golfish]

Nice, we have to take that bad boy out asap. I'm looking forward to seeing one of these steel Henry's.

[200Apples]

Dagnabbit! You went to Phillips?



Just kidding. But let's get our MLC butts back out there! I too wanna see this new baby. Got a model # we can look for on the innernetz? I can't make hide nor hair out of Tom's typing...

[pennstater]

Ha! Must be the holiday cheer I'm still enjoying. It's the model #HO12C. BB Steel, 20" barrel in .45 Colt. Picked up some Starline brass at Philipp's today.
Loading as I type. Have everything to load, but, I'll be buying Missouri Bullets, 250gr RNFP's when I p/u the rifle. Next, down the road a bit: .41 mag!
Must be patient here. No ruffled feathers.[planning!]

[200Apples]

Next, down the road a bit: .41 mag!
Must be patient here. No ruffled feathers.[planning!]

Let's see... middle of the desert, no one else around, Dick Cheney.

Think I'm gonna pass on the next MLC outing.


Kidding. I just won't bring the .41! See.

Kidding. Seriously. Can't wait for the next cho0t. And I'll bring the .41, too.





Chuck Hawks likes his .45 Colt-chambered Henry Big Boy.

The Henry Big Boy Steel is a hefty, compact, seven pound lever action with a straight hand stock, tube feed magazine and open sights. The Henry Big Boy action is basically an improved Marlin 336 type mechanism.

The stock and forearm are of dark, checkered, American black walnut with a forearm end cap, rather than a barrel band. Fit and finish of wood and metal are excellent throughout, especially when compared to current Marlin or Rossi rifles. The Henry is much more affordable than the beautifully made (in Japan by Miroku) Winchester Models 1873 and 92.

The Big Boy Steel has a thick ventilated recoil pad. Sling swivel studs are standard. The HD12C has a matte-finished blued steel frame and is drilled and tapped for scope mounting. As is the fashion of all modern Henry rifles, there is no side receiver loading gate. Rounds are loaded into the feeding tube in the manner of tube feed .22 rifles.

The Henry Big Boy uses Henry's rebounding hammer system, so there is no need for an extra safety as found on Rossi, Winchester and Marlin rifles. The traditional half-cock hammer notch is also gone and totally unnecessary. With a modern Henry rifle, the trigger must be pulled all the way back for the hammer to make contact with the firing pin. The Henry hammer is user friendly and, unlike a manual safety, cannot be inadvertently left on when the rifle is needed for a quick shot.

From a solid rest the Henry will cloverleaf several loads at 50 yards and shoot inside three inches at 100. Again, the open sights are the limiting factor and I have to use an orange target dot at 100 yards.

The Henry Big Boy Steel is a well built, solid performer and can be an ideal choice for home defense, target shooting and short range big game hunting. If you do your part, I have no doubt the Henry will do its.

https://www.chuckhawks.com/henry_bigboy_steel.html

[golfish]

Originally Posted by 200Apples

Dagnabbit! You went to Phillips

They have the same loading kit that I just bought from Brownells for the same price. I couldn't believe the prices. I'd much rather support a local shop over buy from the web.

If he sold beer and golfballs, I wouldn't need another place to shop.

[200Apples]

[reloading gear, brass, etc]

If he sold beer and golfballs, I wouldn't need another place to shop.

!

[pennstater]

I believe we should bring this very subject up, next time we're there!
I'm SURE he'll agree. Chris, yep, it's the top one. Ya'll best bring that .41 now, ya hear!

[200Apples]

Henry makes a .41 chambered Big Boy. That should be your NEXT rifle. I'm keepin' my Marlin.

Big Boy Steel .41 Mag

Model Number H012M41

Action Type Lever Action

Caliber .41 Magnum

Capacity 10 Rounds

M.S.R. Price $893.00


Additional Specifications

Barrel Length 20"

Barrel Type Round Blued Steel

Rate of Twist 1:18

Overall Length 37.5"

Weight 7.00 lbs.

Receiver Finish Blued Steel

Rear Sight Fully Adj. Semi-Buckhorn w/ Diamond Insert

Front Sight Brass Bead

Scopeability Drilled and Tapped

Scope Mount Type BB-RSM

Stock Material American Walnut

Buttplate/Pad Black Solid Rubber Recoil Pad

Length of Pull 14"

Safety Transfer Bar


Best Uses Target/Hunting/Large Game


Embellishments/Extras Swivel Studs.

https://www.henryusa.com/rifles/henry-big-boy-steel/

[golfish]

Originally Posted by 200Apples

Henry makes a .41 chambered Big Boy.

That's the one I've been eye balling. Same model as the one Tom has. It seems to be about the only 41mag lever gun available.

I should say that Henry seems to be the only 41mags available, I think they produce several models in 41 mag.

[the_tunaman]

I have a potential opportunity to pick up a 1894 Marlin in .44 mag, so me and the neighbor may look to come out to play with you folks. I think we may head out to Hodge Road somewhere the following weekend, as we want to go long with some load workups, but a lever deal would be fun for sure.

[smittty]

Far West in Santa Barbara has an older 1894 357 mag on the rack for $599.

Took all my strength to not buy it.

Someone save me and take it so I can stop torturing myself!!

[200Apples]

smittty, what else in the lever action persuasion do you have that's chambered in .357?

If the answer is "nothing", then you just turn yourself right around and go start the 10-day on that forlorn lil' puppy.



You NEED a .357 lever carbine! and the Marlin 1894 is just about the best thing going in that dept.

[pennstater]

Apples, I could not agree more. This fella needs to BUY! NOW!

[golfish]

From what I hear, that new 45C Henry that Tom has in jail is the bees knees. I'm really looking forward to seeing this one.

I think I'll buy a set of 41mag dies next week, kind of push me in that direction, maybe get some brass and boolits from Phillip's...

This reloading thing has me excited.

[smittty]

Originally Posted by 200Apples

smittty, what else in the lever action persuasion do you have that's chambered in .357?

If the answer is "nothing", then you just turn yourself right around and go start the 10-day on that forlorn lil' puppy.



You NEED a .357 lever carbine! and the Marlin 1894 is just about the best thing going in that dept.

I have a Ruger 77/357, and set-up for reloading 357 mag and 38 sp.

If it's still there the next time I visit I might not be able to resist??

[BillyGoatCrawler]

Originally Posted by smittty

Far West in Santa Barbara has an older 1894 357 mag on the rack for $599.

Took all my strength to not buy it.

Someone save me and take it so I can stop torturing myself!!

“Older”? Is it JM marked? If so and in good condition you should immeidiately buy. Those in .357 are very hard to find and have no problem going for $800.

Look in the classified.

[200Apples]

pennstater

Not to let this thread disappear; I'm starting my 10 day wait this Fri on my new Henry .45 Colt. 20" barre. BB steel. Already handloding for it.

Loading as I type.

IMG_0058.jpg


We sawr a break in the rain today and I was able to get out into the "shop" and setup my handloading gear.

Only had time to prep 50 .44 Magnum cases, prime, figure out what data to load, etc... for a 240 grain XTP in my 1:38 twist 16" Marlin. 19.0 grains 2400 (not max) should produce 1500 fps from the carbine barrel... did 25 of those.

Then for something a wee bit milder, 10 grains Unique for 1150-ish from 7-1/2" whirlenpopper barrel. Might see 1350 from the carbine with that. A nice mid-level Mag load.

Once the weather clears up on Friday, I'll be prepping some .41! and looking for a similar mix to that posted above... maybe 1 grain less of each. I'll again refer to the book!

[golfish]

Nice setup Chris, lots of inspiration. I think it's a good idear to post up pictures of our reloading benches.

[pennstater]

Heh-heh, well, well. Great minds think the same. Been in the garage during the rain; heater going and loading up some .45 Colt rounds. 250gr RNFP's and 8.3gr Unique. Lever stuff! How's the set-up going Mark? Chris, diggin' it!

[DueceMcGurk]

Penn, 1.550 OAL? Diam. 0.452?

[pennstater]

DM, 0.452" diameter, but, 1.585" on OAL. I'll find out Monday.

[nickel plate]

Originally Posted by smittty

Far West in Santa Barbara has an older 1894 357 mag on the rack for $599.

Took all my strength to not buy it.

Someone save me and take it so I can stop torturing myself!!

If only I lived closer. Now that you've posted, it must surely have been sold by now unless it has serious issues.
Who here bought it?

[Spyder]

If it had been within an hour, I woulda that day!

[BillyGoatCrawler]

Leave it to Santa Barbara to have a great rifle at a great price that isn’t nabbed up quickly. Even a lever rifle is too evil for most residents there.

I would have swooped that one quickly.

[smittty]

Originally Posted by BillyGoatCrawler

Leave it to Santa Barbara to have a great rifle at a great price that isn’t nabbed up quickly. Even a lever rifle is too evil for most residents there.

I would have swooped that one quickly.

I'll stop by tomorrow to see if they still have it.

I'm not buying though. I just ordered an upper receiver, bought pricey new peep sight for my 357/77, and new tires for my car. I've spent enough this month!

[Epaphroditus]

Has Unique changed formulation lately - I remember it being a bit dirty for my tastes. Great loads otherwise but dirty.

[200Apples]

Has Unique changed formulation lately - I remember it being a bit dirty for my tastes. Great loads otherwise but dirty.

When a particular charge load of Alliant's Unique isn't within an optimum range of pressure, yes, it can emit soot and particulate detritus... but so can other propellants.

But when it's in the sweet spot, it's pretty clean! Don't ask me how I know.

For example, 7.5 grains under a 250 grain LSWC in .44 Special brass/LPP is good for 950-1000 fps, leaves nothing on the outside of the cases, and the cases can simply drop from the cylinder, clean as a whistle. The bore is certainly no dirtier than when anything else commercially loaded is fired through it.

It's a middle-range pressures powder. Bullseye is better for lighter loads and 2400 is better for hotter loads approaching Magnum pressures.

[golfish]

Here's a picture of my bench. I lucked out and snagged this bench from Coca-Cola in 2006. They were going to throw it out so I figured what the hec.I haven't really used it for much, mostly just stacking junk on top of it.