"MARLIN 1894CSS"

This Marlin 1894CSS caliber 357 mag/spl is stainless steel with American black walnut stock and rubber butt pad. It has an 18 1/2 inch barrel with Ballard rifling and a 1.16 r.h. twist.

I then took the action apart for a good cleaning and lube with tetra grease. After a good barrel cleaning I resembled. I then installed a Sightron 3x9 scope using Weaver rings. This Marlin is now range ready, I'm off to the Illinois Rifle Assoc. I had seven boxes of 357 mag ammo, Fiocchi 142gr. fmjtc, American Eagle 158gr. jsp, Eldorado Starfire 150gr. jhp, Speer Golddot 158gr. gdnp, Federal 130 Hydra Shok, Hornady 158gr. xtp, and Federal 180gr. Castcore. After zeroing at 50 meters, I'de shoot two and clean ten times. All ammo shot good at 50 meters. The 180gr. Federal Castcore was the best with three shots touching.

I cleaned the Marlin and relubed, then set a target at 100 meters with six 2 inch red dots set on the target. The Hornady shot the smallest group of all the ammo. I did not have enough Federal 180gr. Castcore to shoot at 100 meters, so next week I'll bring more Federal Castcore and also bring some other 357 ammo.

A week has past and we are back at the range(it was a cold and windy day). Targets are set at 100 meters. I brought three boxes of 357 ammo with me, a new box of American Eagle 158gr. jsp, a new box of Hornady 158gr. xtp, and an old box of Federal 130gr. Hydra Shok personal defense. After testing each brand of ammo, the barrel was cleaned. First I used the Hornady, out of twelve shots all but four were inside the 2 inch red dots. Next up was the American Eagle, only one shot outside the dot and had more shots touching than with the Hornady. Now came the Federal 130gr., after twelve shots, I had one big hole 4 1/2 inches above point of aim. I did not rezero for the lighter ammo. The Marlin loved that Federal 130gr.

Everybody says Marlins are accurate and now I'll say the same. I will write more on this Marlin after more break in.

Always be safe. Know whats behind your target.