Similar experiences to Dryflash, My Marlin 1894 doesn't particularly care for the SWC (of any weight)... requires a slight jiggle on the lever to get em to feed well. The 'stepped' feature seems to hang up internally just a hair.
I've settled on a 158gr RNFP cast load as my daily range ammo for it. The RNFP feeds much, much better.
I've never had issues with modern JHP or JSP bullets, or other 'solid' type hunting loads.
My particular Marlin doesn't really care for .38spl loads unless they're loaded very long.. even then, it struggles occasionally.
I stopped using .38's in it totally and have moved entirely to .357 cases for it.
I didn't want to bother keeping two seperate .38 loadings around... i.e. long for the Marlin and 'correct COL' for my revolvers.
Luckily, I have a few five gallon buckets of .357 brass.