Marlin 1894 357 as a small game rifle?

[goon]

I handled both versions of the Marlin 1894 in .357 mag today and I am thinking that I have to get one of them. I know that the .357 will kill a deer, especially since almost every shot I have ever seen at one has been at less than 75 yards.
The rifle will see most of its use as a plinker but will also be used as a light duty HD gun.
I was thinking that you could maybe even hunt small game with it if you used 38 specials.
Has anyone ever used a rifle like this to hunt small game?
They used to use .36 caliber rifles to hunt small game, right?
Why wouldn't a .357/38 work now?

 

[Z_Infidel]

I don't consider it a game animal, but I can tell you the .357 Mag fired from a carbine will kill a large woodchuck very dead. I see no reason not to use .38 Special for small game within its effective range, but one advantage of a varmint caliber is that it will be effective out to greater distance. Shooting the magnum rounds is where the 1894 really shines.

Choosing the right ammo will be important. I normally shoot .357 Mag 158 gr soft points out of my 1894C but there are other good choices depending on what you are shooting at.

 

[mainmech48]

I'm a big fan of .38/.357 carbines for woods-walking and small game. The only reason that a pre-Taurus Rossi '92 in "Trapper" guise has pretty much replaced my beloved IMI Timberwolf in that role is the thought of trying to track down parts should I break something or wear it out.

Many advantages compared to .22RF, IMHO: Comparable practical accuracy to 50 yrds with the right load (factory or hand-whatever floats yer boat), little if any additional mass to haul around, more versatility in dealing with potential threats, on two legs or four....I could go on-and-on.

For me, the clincher is that the report of the midrange .357 LSW handload that is what I generally feed mine doesn't seem to spook the other game as much as the "crack" of HV rimfires will. Other squirrels and rabbits seem to resume their activities more quickly and with less additional wariness than they do when I'm hunting them with a .22 RF or WMR.

Having almost 4X the mass and 2X the diameter in your projectile doesn't hurt either. While I have to admit that I've managed to lose several squirrels and a couple of rabbits when my hit with a .22 HP wasn't perfect, I can truthfully say that I've never lost one that I've hit with a 158 gr. LSW at 900+f/s.

 

[SASS#23149]

It will make a fine little hunting carbine.Some don' feed .38's real well,but then I'm talking Cowboy Shooting here.......fast and furious.They may feed just fine at normal racking speed.

The wide range of bullets and power levels for this gun make it a real fun one to play with.

 

[106rr]

I just had mine out to the range this afternoon. My Marlin 94 CS has Ballard rifling and an 18.5 inch bbl. I put a Williams Foolproof receiver sight on it with a stock front bead.
I put a three shot group into an 1and 1/8th inches at 50 yds using S&B 158gr sp. It is less accurate with 125gr Winclean. Mine handles Speer Lawman 38 special +p 158gr tmj very well.
Many other people shoot much smaller groups but I'm no expert. My internet groups are the same size as my range groups!

 

[roo_ster]

My internet groups are the same size as my range groups!

Ain't that the truth.

I think the same sort of phenomenon occurs when discussing the time somebody made while driving, gas milage on a trip, and people's height. When I tell others I am only six feet, no inches tall, they say, "You sure do LOOK taller." I think so many people have exaggerated their height that 6'0" looks like 6'3".