First .38 for Marlin 1894

[Daryll]

... More preferably, use magnum cases. You can still load special data in magnum cases.

Yep, done that since I started reloading .38 back in the 80's. Theres a theory that if you use .38 special in a .357 chamber for any length of time, that extra 1/10 inch gets filled up with lead and crud.... so when you do want to chamber a .357 it won't fit.

If you always use .357 brass, it won't be a problem..

[Turnup]

Deffo the TC bullets work very well in the Marlin and although the RNFPs chamber fine no one I know can get them to be accurate.

I use a very light load - 2.7 grains of D0302 (similar to Bullseye but cleaner) and a minimal crimp which delivers about 770 fps - fine for target work up to 50m

Have always used .38spl cases at .38spl COL with no porblem. It will need a good clean if you switch to 357magnum cases but if switching from lead to jacketed bullets you will anyway have to get all of the lead out first - jacketed bullets do not push the lead out of the barrel, they push it into the barrel wal - I ruined a barrel doing that.

I get the idea with .357 brass but it is so moch dearer than the 38spl (actually I have a lifetime supply of 38spl brass from my pistol days).