Thread: Best zero for a .357 rifle.

I've just picked up a Marlin 1894 CSBL .357 with my jacindabux.
I was looking for a lever gun thats cheap to run, to have fun with and maybe use on goats or deer.

Ive never used a pistol calibre carbine before, what is the best distance to zero at and what distance can I ethically shoot out to?

Originally Posted by Sh00ter

I've just picked up a Marlin 1894 CSBL .357 with my jacindabux.
I was looking for a lever gun thats cheap to run, to have fun with and maybe use on goats or deer.

Ive never used a pistol calibre carbine before, what is the best distance to zero at and what distance can I ethically shoot out to?

I'm hoping to spend some of my Jacindabux on the same rifle, minus the big loop be interested to see what you think of it

I've sighted min in at 75m. 75m zero using 125gr HP at 2220fps gives you a trajectory peak of 43mm high at 40m, 95mm low at 100m.

as per above...as for ethical distance.....she is no powerhouse but a pill in the right place out to that distance will do the bizo....wouldnt attempt a shoulder shot on a red but slip one in tight behind or close infront of the shoulder and it should go down quick enough...if you have the accuracy to neck shoot...the base of neck gives you both...see the excellent hillar area thread.... your choice of ammunition will be CRITICLE ...most factory rounds for this cartridge are designed for soft skinned upright two legged critters...maximum expansion in shallow area being desired........a little different to what you want for four legged game.

For ethical shooting distance it'll be a mix of when it falls below 1000 ft pounds of energy and when the rainbow trajectory is too much to reliably hold over

Yeah the 357 ain't no 2hundy Deer cannon, they're pretty piss weak but will be Ok as a real close range so as hotb said 75, I use to run my super short 44 running 225's at 75 yards seemed to be the best alround distance for a bush gun

You should of gone for a 44 if wanting to use it as a Red bush gun

Originally Posted by Philipo

Yeah the 357 ain't no 2hundy Deer cannon, they're pretty piss weak but will be Ok as a real close range so as hotb said 75, I use to run my super short 44 running 225's at 75 yards seemed to be the best alround distance for a bush gun

You should of gone for a 44 if wanting to use it as a Red bush gun

How far did you shoot out with it? It would be dropping like a stone at 150

Originally Posted by Philipo

Yeah the 357 ain't no 2hundy Deer cannon, they're pretty piss weak but will be Ok as a real close range so as hotb said 75, I use to run my super short 44 running 225's at 75 yards seemed to be the best alround distance for a bush gun

You should of gone for a 44 if wanting to use it as a Red bush gun

Mine would only be for fun (shits as giggles, plate racks etc) and maybe the odd spotlighted wally. and only in 357 as I already have brass and reloading gear

them "not so good on deer" loads would be ideal on wallys......

Originally Posted by Russian 22.

How far did you shoot out with it? It would be dropping like a stone at 150

Yeah 100-125 yards max aye. Even the 225 flixtips in a really hot load were only good to that distance aye.

No one has asked what sights you intend to use ( factory open / scope / red dot etc ) and what loads .
The accuracy of the particular rifle and your ability to shoot it will have a huge influence on your zero distance.
There seems to be an assumption that the rifle / load combination will be accurate and the overriding thing to worry about is the rainbow trajectory .
My experience with lever actions is accuracy is not always the best no matter what you do , I have owned numerous Levers over the years and yes I still own one now .
The one and only is a 44/40 and its not because its the caliber I think is best , its just happens to be the most accurate one I’ve encountered over the years and hasn’t been let go like all the others .

To get the best out of it you will have to reload as factory ammo is loaded to pistol pressures and the rifle can handle way more.

I would have thought that a 158 or 180 grain xtp would have taken care of most deer under the 150m mark.

Originally Posted by Marty Henry

To get the best out of it you will have to reload as factory ammo is loaded to pistol pressures and the rifle can handle way more.

there USED to be two types of loads out there..pistol and rifle...the pighunters liked the pistol rounds for bail loads in thier rifles....must have been barely supersonic ,so quiet and not over penertrating...ideal for closeup headshot.
Friwi.....it is all about shot placement.........think magnum .22 not much energy but if you can place projectile in right place it WILL do the job......sub 100 yards is way better than sub 150.

Cheers for the input guys.
I have a .223 and .308 so this is more of a fun gun I can shoot with the missus than a serious tool.
I sold a bunch of junk to the govt for silly money and thought it was a point of principle to turn "not a gun" into a gun, just doing my bit to keep NZ safe