Marlin CSBL

[e46dxyan]

Caved into gunbroker.com for a CSBL after months of searching for one at retail. Planning to plink at the range and shoot offhand (skeletal) @ 50 yrds. I think the weight will be good for offhand shooting.

First time buying through gunbroker. The seller has a good rating, so I'm hoping for a good experience.

An interesting fact from Turners. The salesperson told me that they sold 35 CSBLs within 35 days across all their stores. He showed me his inventory matrix to support the numbers. The only reason why I didn't put in a deposit for one is that there were nine deposit for the rifle. Furthermore, he said they get the rifle in batches, and if they get ten, I will get one sooner (could be salesperson talk). Not sure if Marlin is pumping them out or if it's old stock, considering Remington's BK. Anyways, I thought I would share my experience since these rifles are hard to come by.

[200Apples]

Outstanding! When will you see it for DROS?

[e46dxyan]

Outstanding! When will you see it for DROS?

Thank you. Early next week.

[Imageview]

There is nothing more fun for plinking, especially if you reload.

[200Apples]

Sure, one can plink to their heart's content! and pop small game with .38 Special.

But there's no better way to serve .357 Magnum, period, when you have the room to wield a 16" lever carbine.

For example, using the classic Alliant (formerly Hercules) 2400 powder, a 158 grain XTP will be smokin' along 400 feet per second faster! than from an 8" Colt Python*.

Same goes for a 180 grain using 2400 propellant; the 16" lever carbine will see that projectile to 300 feet per second faster than from the 8" Python*.

Plink! or DRT on deer-sized game. The .357 carbine is the most fun and the most useful 6 lb lever around.





(*Hornady 9th Edition, .357 Rifle, Pages 569, 570 and .357 Magnum, Page 792)

[BB1776]

Nice, congrats! They are a total hoot to shoot and look great, too.

[roc_my_tims]

How much did you pay? Been wanting one also.

[DueceMcGurk]

Apples,
Shot my Marlin 94C in 357 at Burro yesterday. Could not agree more.

How much of that thar 2400 you packing behind that thar 158 gr? Is it coated or jacketed?

I shoot the 94C every trip to the range.

[200Apples]

How much of that thar 2400 you packing behind that thar 158 gr?

Less than what's packed behind the same bullet used in the 8" Python, according to the data.

...and they're XTPs, so jacketed.

Again, refer to the Hornady 9th Edition.

[lastinline]

Data from Hornady (3rd edition), for .357 Magnum using a Winchester 1892:
2400 powder, start at 11.9 for 1550 FPS, max at 14.5 for 1650 FPS.

Data from same book for a 8 3/8” Smith:
2400 powder, start at 11.5 for 1000 FPS, max at 14.8 for 1250 FPS.

Data from 1980.

Remember: the velocity data may be close to what you get, but should not be taken as an absolute. There can be significant variation between identical guns, and the actual conditions that were present when such measurements were recorded.

Bottom line is that in most cases carbines squeeze out extra velocity. Accuracy not as always so much.

[golfish]

I'm using 11.7gr of 2400 and the180gr RNFP Hi-Tek coated bullet from Missouri Bullets.

[lastinline]

But there's no better way to serve .357 Magnum, period, when you have the room to wield a 16" lever carbine.

I respectfully disagree.
If you can find a used Timberwolf, as pictured today in another thread on this forum, you will have something better than any lever gun in that caliber. More reliable, faster, feeds SWC’s better, and without the hang ups that come in nearly every box of Marlin.
But alas, they are hard to find.

[Imageview]

Hornady data with 2400 is a bit more conservative than other sources, it's puzzling to me. Most notable w/ the 125gr bullet, but even 158 is a good half grain lower than Lyman, and the alliant website only lists revolver loads (14.8 max).

[DueceMcGurk]

I shot 10.5, 11.0, 11.5 and 12.0 of 2400 behind the 158 gr ACME coated yesterday in the lever. Could not find an accuracy sweet spot. 10.5 had a VERY low recoil. Concerned that above 12 gr would be too fast for coated bullets.

My standard plinking load is 6.0- 6.5gr of Unique with that same boolit.

Book data probably better than my findings. lol

[e46dxyan]

Nice discussion fellas. Unfortunately, the sale didn't work out. However, I did purchase a Marlin 1894 SBL in 44 mag.