Different 357 loads in Marlin 1894CP.


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AlexI
August 26, 2003, 10:57 AM
Last weekend I finally got out to an open rifle range to try my little 1894CP at 50 and 100 yards (only shot it at an indoor pistol range so far).

Tried several different loads, though not under ideal conditions for precise shooting (with Red Dot, improvised rest and not very suitable targets).
Anyway, the results were quite interesting, I didn't really expect that much difference in ballistics between them.
The Magtech 158 gr and Remington 180gr were very close to each other(sighted in at POA or maybe an inch higher at 50yd, dropping about 6" below POA at 100yd).
But when I tried Federal Premium 158gr Hydra Shocks, I got a real surprise - they went 2"-3" high at 50yd and about 4" high at 100yd! And, they produced the strongest felt recoil, definitely stronger then the 180gr Remingtons. It sounds like if I adjusted my sight 4MOA down, the Hydra Shocks would shoot almost flat (+/- 1"-2") out to 100yd, better then I would expect of any .357! A pity they are too expensive to shoot regularly...
I wasn't able to find any ballistics info (muzzle velocity, etc) for the 158gr Hydra Shocks, to compare with the other two loads (those I did find, data for 4" barrel), can someone here help me with this info?

Does it all make sense, or I screwed up with my testing and need to re-test?

Thank you.
Alex Indman.

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lawboy
August 26, 2003, 11:39 AM
Sounds right to me. I shoot a handload that spits a 158gr xtp or winchester hollowpoint at 1800 fps. sighted dead on at 50 It is only 3 inches low at 100 so your figures seem fine to me. The Hydra Shok loads could be hotter than my handloads, which are hot, but significantly below maximum. Fantastic stuff, isn't it?!

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