Author Topic: Ammo suggestions for 1894 in .357? (Read 865 times)

jason burns · « **on:** January 28, 2005, 01:28:41 PM »

Hey guys, I am having second thoughts about selling my 1894cs. HOWEVER, if I am gonna keep it, I need to find a load that shoots well. I have not tried alot of stuff through it so any suggestions would be appreciated. A good .357 "target" load and a close in deer load, if appropriate, would be awesome! Thanks in advance for your suggestions!!

big medicine · « **Reply #1 on:** January 29, 2005, 02:23:08 PM »

I dont know if you reload? If you do I have had good luck with the 158 gr JHP bullets. I went in on some of the IMI bullets with a buddy and have no regrets they shoot well. As far as factory ammo, I cant help you out much, but I would think that most of the 158 gr stuff should work just fine.

Kingfish · « **Reply #2 on:** January 31, 2005, 09:46:33 AM »

I don't have a 1894C yet but plan to get one as I've had a 6" revolver in .357 for years and have a bunch of ammo for it already. I'm sure that some of the plinking loads would work OK in a rifle but what has been my most accurate load in my revolver (50yds) has been a hard cast 180grn bullet and 15.0grns of LilGun. I bought these bullets but have cast some Keith type Lyman #358421 170grn bullets that I will try for a hunting load. Only thing about the newer bullets that I'm casting is the OAL of 1.660" that I don't know if they will cycle through a rifle or not. They just barely fit in the cylinder of my Ruger.

Bill

big medicine · « **Reply #3 on:** January 31, 2005, 06:11:56 PM »

Kingfish,
You will love that 1894 in 357. they are accurate and fun to shoot. I have yet to shoot a deer with mine, but plan on getting that done this year. Since you handload you can really afford to enjoy it.

Big Paulie · « **Reply #4 on:** February 01, 2005, 10:11:16 AM »

As for factory ammo,

1. The PMC, 158 grain jacketed soft point is really accurate.

2. As for hunting, Cor-Bon now makes .357 Mag hunting ammo for rifles. It comes with a 180 grain, soft point, solid lead core jacketed bullet, that is really suppose to hold together to plow on through the deer. I believe that Federal makes (or made) factory 180 grain soft points forr hunting too.

3. Please do not use regular factory 158 grain (or lighter) hollow points or softpoints for hunting. The are self-defense rounds, designed to open up quick on a person. These open up way to fast on a deer, and do not get sufficient penetration for a humane kill. You may very likely just get an enormous crater hole on the deer, not deep enough to hit vitals, with a terrible wound and a lost deer. Stick to 180 grain bullets.

jason burns · « **Reply #5 on:** February 01, 2005, 01:23:43 PM »

Thanks for the factory ammo advice!! :agree: