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I took the Marlin Cowboy back to the range today to compare the accuracy of three loads. Gary of that moniker here brought me half a dozen each of Remington 180 gr SJSP and 38 Special 125 gr SJSP factory loads. I first shot the 180s with the results you see on the target at 100yds. Fine for hunting but not a good load in this rifle compared to the 158s. The velocities were in the mid 1500s. I was surprised at how low these printed compared to the 158s. Both were shot with the hold on the X ring. Next, I again shot the PMC 158 JSPs you will see the shots numbered. All were in the 10 ring with shots three to five in the X ring. There were no distractions and the front and back of the rifle were supported and I was confident of the hold on all the shots. I was quite confident that the fifth shot was with the others in the X and pleased to see it there. I got up after each shot to look at the placement though the spotting scope. The 38s were kind of an after thought and offer no promise that I see. The velocities and shot order are listed but the chronograph missed one in each string and I am not sure exactly which.
Again, ignore the 22s. I was testing a Single Six 22 last week and disappointed. This week I bought my very accurate K22 but with similar bad results. I have concluded that 22s from a pistol are not good in intermittently gusting wind at 50 yds.
Next test will be with Federal American Eagle 158s. And probably a retest of the Wichester Super X 158s which were 100 fps faster than the PMC.
Last edited by Old Savage on Sun Jul 27, 2008 10:26 pm, edited 3 times in total.
In the High Desert of Southern Calif. ..."on the cutting edge of going back in time"...
Those 180 grainers and 38 Specials sure went all over the place! Very surprising to me as my rifle really likes the 38 Special loads. Looks like I need to find some PMC ammo or develop a hand load.
I have one of the 1894C models also. It doesn't shoot the same as the Cowboy. I haven't tried enough loads yet to see if there is something that shoots well in both. I suspect the PMC might. You should try some of that - Tom has it at the range for $22.95 a box. Seems to me that the 158s are a good all around load - they cycle very well though my rifle.
In the High Desert of Southern Calif. ..."on the cutting edge of going back in time"...
