Anyone using a Marlin 1894 SBL .357 or .44 - what's your opinion of it?
Marlin 1894 SBL
- Thread starter Nick-St
- Start date
Love mine but out of the box the trigger was awful to put it mildly (both crazy heavy and a sharp edge to that hurt the finger on squeezing), a visit to Rimfire Magic finally just resolving that (along with mag loading spring and general smoothness of action) and so now on to working a custom load to improve accuracy. Factory ammo options locally have been limited with Magtech 158gr the best of a bad lot but only delivering 4MOA performance at absolute best. I'm with Paul Hill of Corinium this week to try work on a load to try and remedy.
Oh and I've also just ordered a Marlin Dark in 30-30 for woodland high seat and vehicle based outings but with a length delay in supply, have also just had conditioned for deer so I can at least use for Muntjac in the interim. So, the aim this week is custom target and hunting loads. Spud Reloading has sorted me out with his last box of 500 x 158gr GM Hardcast bullets which I hope will work well enough for target.
Spud has also provided his last two boxes of .38 hunting bullets:
I've also ordered 100 x three different target bullets from this place, although there is a lengthy lead time:
shellhousecastings.com
Oh and a hearty shout out to Wiltshire FAL. It seems they might now have a single person dedicated to variations. The chap put through a 22LR to .308 FTR rifle variation in 10-days flat for me just two weeks ago. Varying my 6.5CM to the 30-30 (Marlin Dark Series) this week, we initially thought would be fulfilled from a batch presently at proof only for Corinium to receive an email from the importer a few days after receiving the funds stating they had made a mistake and there aren't enough rifles at proof to fulfil all the outstanding orders. Therefore, they have absolutely no idea when they can expect the next shipment. Emailing the chap back, he amazingly amended the variation to include conditioning the .38/.357 for deer so I can use on Muntjac in the interim.
Oh and I've also just ordered a Marlin Dark in 30-30 for woodland high seat and vehicle based outings but with a length delay in supply, have also just had conditioned for deer so I can at least use for Muntjac in the interim. So, the aim this week is custom target and hunting loads. Spud Reloading has sorted me out with his last box of 500 x 158gr GM Hardcast bullets which I hope will work well enough for target.
Spud has also provided his last two boxes of .38 hunting bullets:
I've also ordered 100 x three different target bullets from this place, although there is a lengthy lead time:
ShellHouse Castings-Shellhouse Bullet Company Shop
Shellhouse Bullet Companys webstore to purchase bullet heads.
shellhousecastings.com
Oh and a hearty shout out to Wiltshire FAL. It seems they might now have a single person dedicated to variations. The chap put through a 22LR to .308 FTR rifle variation in 10-days flat for me just two weeks ago. Varying my 6.5CM to the 30-30 (Marlin Dark Series) this week, we initially thought would be fulfilled from a batch presently at proof only for Corinium to receive an email from the importer a few days after receiving the funds stating they had made a mistake and there aren't enough rifles at proof to fulfil all the outstanding orders. Therefore, they have absolutely no idea when they can expect the next shipment. Emailing the chap back, he amazingly amended the variation to include conditioning the .38/.357 for deer so I can use on Muntjac in the interim.
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Bit disappointing that they need a bit of a tune up given the premium price. I would have thought reloads would considerably reduce that 4MoA though!
They do look lovely though!
They do look lovely though!
Completely agree Nick and it's precisely what the YouTube reviews say. Out of the box the trigger is around 5lb and Rimfire Magic have got down to around 2lb and it's massively better. That aside (albeit rather central to the rifle!), the rifle is fantastic and I absolutely love using. Rimfire Magic hadn't even attempted to take the edge off a trigger before but kindly agreed to do so on mine with some very fine Dremel work which has worked perfectly. Unsure how successful it would be, he applied to a spare trigger and include the original back with the rifle as a spare.
I have one in 44 Mag, I've been out at the range playing with it this afternoon, in fact 
The trigger is heavy and has some creep, but I can live with it, I have other rifles for shooting little tiny groups. The action, though, is smooth and lovely and the fit and finish of the rifle are great.
Mine is now set up more akin to the Trapper model, I wanted to use primarily iron sights and found the big bead on the SBL just didn't work for me on targets. So I changed it, and then ended up changing the rear sight as well. I can't put a scope on it now, but it's an absolute hoot to shoot without one, so I'm not too disappointed!
Overall, there are better target rifles, better stalking rifles, but I'm not sure there are very many more fun rifles.
I'd buy another one tomorrow, and will buy an 1895 and/or a 336 as well!
The trigger is heavy and has some creep, but I can live with it, I have other rifles for shooting little tiny groups. The action, though, is smooth and lovely and the fit and finish of the rifle are great.
Mine is now set up more akin to the Trapper model, I wanted to use primarily iron sights and found the big bead on the SBL just didn't work for me on targets. So I changed it, and then ended up changing the rear sight as well. I can't put a scope on it now, but it's an absolute hoot to shoot without one, so I'm not too disappointed!
Overall, there are better target rifles, better stalking rifles, but I'm not sure there are very many more fun rifles.
I'd buy another one tomorrow, and will buy an 1895 and/or a 336 as well!
Smellydog
Well-Known Member
The triggers are easy with some fine stones on the sears.
Re the poor grouping with lead, the lube is often the culprit and undersized bullets.
Running an oiled patch down the barrel before shooting may help.
As with all lead bullets use in firearms there should be a wet or greasy star at the muzzle from plenty of lube, if not, there is not enough lube and accuracy will be missing.
A lot of commercial pistol bullets were only lubed for a few inches of barrel!
I use to add Lee alox and not clean the coated barrel like a 22 is left un cleaned.
Re the poor grouping with lead, the lube is often the culprit and undersized bullets.
Running an oiled patch down the barrel before shooting may help.
As with all lead bullets use in firearms there should be a wet or greasy star at the muzzle from plenty of lube, if not, there is not enough lube and accuracy will be missing.
A lot of commercial pistol bullets were only lubed for a few inches of barrel!
I use to add Lee alox and not clean the coated barrel like a 22 is left un cleaned.
I think the SBL version was only made by Ruger - the earlier Remington ones had a poor reputation.
Remington did make them, although I think they may have been called CSBL (carbine stainless big loop) rather than just SBL. I think Ruger's were the first to come factory screw cut, but don't quote me on that.
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