Some Marlin 94 questions

azmark · Post by **azmark** » Sat Apr 05, 2008 11:04 am

First off, when I've checked at online dealers it seems everybody is out of the 94 in .357. Are they unavailable right now?

If I can find one, I'd like to have the .357 for a do-all kind of gun. Something I want to do with it is try coyote hunting with some guys from work. What's the practical limit for that kind of shooting with a .357? Any advice on loads for this purpose?

Dirty Dan · Post by **Dirty Dan** » Sat Apr 05, 2008 11:20 am

Scope or no? that will determine usable range to a large extent. Almost any bullet weight will do for coyotes- see what the rifle likes and go with that.

azmark · Post by **azmark** » Sat Apr 05, 2008 11:25 am

I'm assuming that I'll have to have a scope.

J Miller · Post by **J Miller** » Sat Apr 05, 2008 11:28 am

azmark,

Your .357 Marlin will do very well for a universal do all kind of rifle. Light, compact ( unless you scope it), fast swinging, and accurate.

I'm not a scope guy, I don't like them at all. On my leverguns I prefer aperture sights.
So, my response about the accuracy is simple: The Marlin can do it if you can. How far can you shoot consistently accurate groups? Or, if you use the paper plate method, how far out can you consistently hit the plate?
That's the key. Once you find the load the rifle likes, practice, practice, practice.

Joe

azmark · Post by **azmark** » Sat Apr 05, 2008 11:48 am

I definitely plan to practice with open sights. I'd like to replace the stock sights, but I haven't done a lot of research into aperture sights yet.

Buffboy · Post by **Buffboy** » Sat Apr 05, 2008 2:12 pm

Seems like the Marlins go though this drought every year about this time. I ran into it a couple years ago. They will be back.

The others are right, it all depends on your ability. The rifle itself is capable of some fine accuracy. Still because it's a pistol round it's limits are to about 150 yards because of trajectory. It will shoot accurately beyond that, it's just that you have to be spot on with your range estimate because the bullet is dropping fast and a coyote is a right small target when you figure the kill zone.

meanc · Post by **meanc** » Sat Apr 05, 2008 2:25 pm

AZmark,

The furthest I've taken a coyote with my Marlin 1894 was with a factory Remington 38spcl 125gr +p @ 115yds. The velocity is around 1325fps.

The coyote just jumped and dropped right on the spot.

So, if this light factory load is good at that distance, I'm certain most any 357mag load will suffice out to a little further beyond that.

Mine was topped with a 1.5-4.5 x 32 Bushnell Banner.

Iron_Marshal · Post by **Iron_Marshal** » Sat Apr 05, 2008 2:59 pm

AZMARK, I just bought a 1894SS and I had to drive an hour to get it...but it was worth it! As Buffboy stated, Marlin goes through a drought this time of year. It was explained to me that Marlin makes one batch of rifles at a time and then waits for most of the rifles to sell before making another batch. VERY FRUSTRATING...

JerryB · Post by **JerryB** » Sat Apr 05, 2008 3:14 pm

azmark, on the forum home page there was an article by a man from England that hunted African plains game with a Marlin 1894 .357 it might still be there.

centershot · Post by **centershot** » Sat Apr 05, 2008 5:28 pm

Azmark, I use a Williams 5-D aperture sight with a red Firesight on the front. I zero to hit at the top of the front sight bead at 100 yds, this puts me about 3" high at 50 yds with a 180 gr bullet @ 1400 fps. 100 - 125 yds is about all I feel comfortable shooting, but the coyotes don't seem to survive the encounters, so life is good! Using factory 357 magnum 158 HP's, your trajectory would be much flatter. If you zeroed 2-1/2" high @ 50 yds, I'm guessing the bullet would hit point of aim somewhere around 125 - 140 yds. I had a scope on the gun initially, didn't like it! It just felt clumsy and it sat way too high. Once I put the aperture sight on it, I was HAPPY!

And the coyotes don't seem to know the difference!

centershot

Pete44ru · Post by **Pete44ru** » Sat Apr 05, 2008 6:04 pm

http://www.gunsamerica.com/976964326/Gu ... CB_357.htm

http://www.gunsamerica.com/976981593/Gu ... ag_SAL.htm

http://www.gunsamerica.com/976990854/Gu ... COWBOY.htm

http://www.gunsamerica.com/976930224/Gu ... ag_new.htm

http://www.gunsamerica.com/977000515/Gu ... 357_ma.htm

http://www.gunsamerica.com/908652436/Gu ... arbine.htm

http://www.gunsamerica.com/998587342/Gu ... 38_357.htm