Reloading .38 spl and .357 mag

[j_m_ru]

Hi,
I just bought Marlin 1894CB in .38 spl and .357 mag with 16" octagon barrel.
I would like to shoot up to 50-100 m with this rifle. What is maximum distance you can accuratly shoot with using .38 spl and .357 mag?
I use excel 158 grain semi wad cutters lead bullet (code L381585)

I load .38 spl with 2.8 grain of Winchester 231 for revolver bullseye shooting.

I would like to find out what is accurate load for excel 158 grain semi wad cutters lead bullet with Winchester 231 ( or different powder) to shoot accurate 50-100 meters with .38 spl and .357 mag.

Thanks,
Joe

 

[H4831]

For the power you will need for accurate distance shooting, you will have to load that 357 rifle right up.
W231 will not be satisfactory for that purpose.
The ideal powders would be either W296/H110, or 2400.
Full power pistol loadings puts the pressure of the 357 into the 38,000 range. You will not want to go any higher for the rifle, so use the good loading books and work up to book maximums. The rifle, with it's longer barrel, and most important, solid chamber lock up, without pressure loss in front of the cylinder, will give you a major increase in velocity, over the same load in a revolver.

 

[JBD]

Maximum distance is very subjective. On a range with known distances I can accurately hit with a 22LR out to 300 Yards. Point blank range for a 357 magnum would be about 125 yards.

 

[chise]

For accuracy in my revolver I load .38 special with 3.2 grains of titegroup or 3.5 grains bullseye. I'm going to get an 1894c marlin so I'm curious how well you shoot .357 at distances.

 

[Al-Sway]

I am assuming that you want a load that will allow you to shoot some of the Cowboy events at 50 and 100 metres. Despite what has been said, you don't need to load up to maximum, as you are only shooting paper or ringing steel. The suggested loads will work, if they are accurate in your rifle. We cannot tell you what load will be accurate in your rifle with the bullets you are using.
However, I use 3.6 grain of 231 in .357 Magnum cases with 130 or 158 grain RFN bullets for my Cowboy shooting, and they will ring steel when I do my part.