Author Topic: Winchester or Marlin in 357 for cast bullets (Read 739 times)

coltpython · « **on:** January 27, 2004, 04:42:25 PM »

Looking to buy a 357 lever gun. I have heard something about micro-groove riflings in Marlins. I will be shooting gas checked and plain base bullets cast from wheel weights. Will one have less lead build up than the other? Any info will be helpful. Thanks

jgalar · « **Reply #1 on:** January 28, 2004, 01:57:10 AM »

Don't have either gun in 357. But my microgrooved marlin 30-30 shoots only cast ww bullets. I can shoot >100 rounds at a time with no change in accuracy or leading. In my oppinion the statement that microgrooved barrels won't shoot lead is BS

WD45 · « **Reply #2 on:** January 28, 2004, 02:51:36 AM »

I have found the micro groove barrels to shoot as good as any other gun.
You just have to work up a load for them ... just like any other gun :-)

deerhunter · « **Reply #3 on:** January 28, 2004, 04:11:42 AM »

The new Marlin .357 levers do not use Micro Groove. they use the standard Ballard type rifling.

I am trying to decide which to go for myself.

fz4vgq · « **Reply #4 on:** January 28, 2004, 09:46:05 AM »

DeerHunter is correct, Marlin 1894's in .357 mag and .44 mag do not have Micro Groove rifling. They have standard "Deep cut Ballard Rifling" (standard rifling). For some odd reason though the new .41 mag model does have Micro Groove rifling. Between the Marlin and the Winchester I prefer the Marlins. I have a Winchester 94 30-30 and a Marlin 1895 LTD 4 .45-70 and also a 1894CS in .357 mag, I shoot the 1894CS in .357 mag more than the others and love it! it is a tack driver and .357 mag 158gr loads out of the longer rifle barrel nearly put it in the same league as the .44 mag 240gr loads out of a 6" revolver.

HAMMERHEAD · « **Reply #5 on:** January 28, 2004, 10:00:30 AM »

Even soft swaged plain base mags shoot accurately from my Marlin (Ballard). Cast gas checked bullets should be better. You won't regret buying a Marlin.

coltpython · « **Reply #6 on:** January 28, 2004, 03:56:26 PM »

Thanks for the info guys. I guess it's a Marlin. Kinda what I wanted anyway. Gun show will be here in 2 weeks. I'll let you know what I found and bought.