Marlin 1894: Use Rifle data or Pistol data?

[rambutan316]

For a lever action rifle, would it be beneficial to use the rifle data in the Lyman reloading manual for 357 Magnum, or would the pistol data work well enough? I already have the components for 357 Magnum pistol rounds and would like to not have to buy any additional supplies if possible. I am thinking of starting with 7.5 grains of Unique with 158 grain SWCs. Thanks!

[44fred]

Whatever handgun data you can find will work just fine in your 1894. Great gun BTW. You can sleep well knowing any handgun data will be under pressure limits your 1894 would handle.
SWC should cycle fine, WC maybe not.
The gummy tipped Hornady bullets will extend your range as well as being pretty accurate.

[Ross]

Hornady makes the FTX bullet for the .44mag. When I purchased 500 bullets, Hornady, as I recall without looking at my binder, provided me load data broken down into application of pistol or rifle.

I think they might make a .357 FTX bullet.

[JagerDog]

You can squeek out a bit more velocity with rifle specific loads. Unique is kind of middle of the road. For cast bullets, the extra velocity may just cause leading issues. My 1894 see's mostly cast 38 loadings of 4.8g Unique or 38 +p loadings with blue dot. 357 is all jacketed with a variety of magnum handgun powders.

[rg1]

I think it's best to load the same loads for pistol and rifle in .357 and 44 Magnum. The same loads shoot good in both my pistol and Marlin .357 CS with micro-groove barrel. Haven't shot any lead bullets in my rifle. My loads use Accurate #9 powder and Hornady 158 XTP's. Too much trouble and a possibility of getting rifle and pistol loads mixed up and especially if the rifle load was too hot for the pistol. What shoots good in a pistol will shoot great in the rifle.

[JagerDog]

I think it's best to load the same loads for pistol and rifle in .357 and 44 Magnum. The same loads shoot good in both my pistol and Marlin .357 CS with micro-groove barrel. Haven't shot any lead bullets in my rifle. My loads use Accurate #9 powder and Hornady 158 XTP's. Too much trouble and a possibility of getting rifle and pistol loads mixed up and especially if the rifle load was too hot for the pistol. What shoots good in a pistol will shoot great in the rifle.

All my pistols can handle +p (or 357 in those). Though I've tailored some rounds for the rifle, they're fine in the pistol. The HBWC are designed for pistol only.

Some folks load mag pressures in 38 cases for feeding reliability in lever guns. That could get one in trouble.

I do load some hot "Ruger" loads in 45 colt for a ruger pistol and marlin lever, but I identify them with nickle cases to they don't end up in my circuit judge.

[wtkaiser]

In other words, a .44 is a .44 is a .44. The maximum in the same, either way, if you are going to stick to SAAMI specifications. You will get more velocity due to the increased burn time in the rifle. That's the only difference. It should be good for about another 50-100 yards, though. That's something to consider. It ain't shabby.

[rambutan316]

Thanks everyone, I think I will stick with using pistol loads for now.

[panodanno]

I agree. Stick with the pistol loads unless you are going hunting with the rifle. Then use the hotter rifle data. At least that is my approach.

Sent from my Nexus 7 using Tapatalk

[wtkaiser]

IT'S THE SAME DATA! A .357 Magnum, loaded to SAAMI specs, is the same regardless of what it's shot from. There is no "rifle data" and "revolver data" as far as powder charges. Yes, you will get huge differences in velocity, but this is strictly because of the length of time the powder has to burn. Not real long in a 2 1/2" snubbie (which is why, if you were to shoot over a sheet, you'd find lots of unburned powder when you got done) and lots of time out of a 20" rifle barrel. The difference will vary according to the powder used. The noise level will vary, also. H-110/296 (same powder) makes a very satisfying, low-frequency BOOM, Bullseye more of a loud CRACK.

If you go above SAAMI, as in this +P or +P+, you are on your own.