Marlin Model 1894CL .218 Bee

[65bee]

Hello All. Been gone awhile, but glad to be back. Need a little info. and hope some of the members can help. Yesterday I picked up a Marlin 1894CL in .218 Bee. It is new-in-the-box. I checked back in my library of old catalogs and found that this model was discontinued in 1993. I know it was made in .218 Bee from 1990 till 1993, and in .25-20 and .32-20 from 1988 to 1993. What I would like to know is the production numbers for the various calibers? Also, for you fellows out there who own these rifles, I was wondering what kind of accuracy you get from them? I have owned four or five 1894CLs over the years, in all three calibers, and never had one that I would consider very accurate. In fact, I recall reading an article about this model some years ago and it related that accuracy was a big problem for Marlin regarding this model. I do know that the two .218 Bees I had were particularly poor in this regard.

[TedH]

I've been asking around with the same questions. I just bought one from another forum member. Some folks say theirs shoot 1.5 moa with ease and others say yer lucky to hit the side of the barn from the inside. I guess I'll just have to wait till mine gets here and see for myself. The general consensus is that you will get the best accuracy with the Speer bullet over of the Hornady bullet.

[airedaleman]

I had one back when they first came out. Nice little rifle, but it was no tack-driver. Two-inch five-shot groups at 100 yards (with handloads and a Weaver T-10 scope) was about the best it could do, but it was a pretty rifle, and a pleasure to cart around without the T-10. Enjoy yours!

[Wind]

Hey there - I can't help any with the production numbers, sorry. I seem to lean on the Winchester side of the fence more than the Marlin side and have found that my Winchesters, in 218 BEE and 25-20, like to see bullets moving relatively fast. They like jacketed bullets better than lead in those calibers too. I've had real good accuracy with the Hornaday .257 60 grain flat point (#2510) and the .224 45 grain hp/BEE (#2229). Both are scooting right along. Hope this helps. Watch yer top knot. Wind

[6pt-sika]

I've been asking around with the same questions. I just bought one from another forum member. Some folks say theirs shoot 1.5 moa with ease and others say yer lucky to hit the side of the barn from the inside. I guess I'll just have to wait till mine gets here and see for myself. The general consensus is that you will get the best accuracy with the Speer bullet over of the Hornady bullet.

I spent more time with mine with 55 grain cast bullets ! But then I wanted to make a squirrel gun out of it

[65bee]

Thanks for the comments. I have owned two Winchester 65 models in .218 Bee and both shot exceptionally well. The first one, with the bolt peep, would hold five shots in 1 to 1 1/4" at 100 yards. The other would shoot 1.5" all day long. I consider that 'accurate' with iron sights. The two Marlins I had would do no better than 3"-4" with a scope sight, and were notorious for throwing flyers. I also owned two Marlins in .32-20 and one in .25-20, all scope sighted. The .25-20 shot fair, maybe averaging 2"-3" at 100 yards, the .32-20s averaging around 3". None of them shot nicely consistent groups. I finally gave up on the model. I believe there is something intrinsically wrong with the design, and it may be a combination of factors, such as the rifling and/or magazine hook-up to the barrel. I honestly believe that Marlin would have been smarter to stay with micro-groove rifling in these rifles. Despite rumours to the contrary, I have found over 50 years of shooting center-fire Marlins with both micro-groove and ballard rifling, the micro-groove models, gun for gun, would outshoot those with conventional rifling. I also never had a problem getting micro-groove rifles to shoot cast bullets well. Anyway, getting back to the .218 Bee I just acquired, I am tempted to just leave it in the box. Thoughts?

[Wind]

Hey there 65bee - You're prolly right. It would be a complete waste of your time. Aggravating too!! Put it in a box and mail it to me. I'll keep it dusted and have it write you a note with a picture and send it to you every year. Anything else I can do to help just let me know. Your humble servant - Wind (Watch yer top knot)

[Wes]

Hey 65Bee, I have seen one of those Marlins that would shoot real well. My friend in MT has one that is a shooting ***. He bought two more that wouldn't though. Same story with the 32-20 I have. It shoots pretty good, but I've seen others that don't.
I have a Browning 65 that I just love to death. It is a really accurate rifle.

[65bee]

I also owned a Browning 65 back when they first came out and had a Lyman 66 installed on it (don't know why Browning didn't factory D&T this rifle?). It was a very good shooting gun!

[michael119]

I also have one in 25-20, not as accurate as my other marlins either, havent tried cast bullets though, maybe thats the answer. I really like the configuration though, I wish they would make this style in 357 or 44 mag. Anyone do a conversion of one of these to 357 mag? Just think outloud.