Marlin 1894 Owners -- Hardness?

[Jeff82]

I'm wondering what bullet hardness works best for you. I'm casting 158g. RNFP rounds for my .357. The last batch I made was with wheelweight and 2% tin added, then water quenched. I was a little surprized that the BHN came out around 16. I'm wondering what other people find to be a good fit for their carbines. I'm thinking of lowering the hardness to around 12 to 14.

[btroj]

I have shot many using straight range scrap. More than likely itis around 12-14 Bhn after water dropping. No leading, good accuracy.

[bobthenailer]

For my 357 rifle bullets i use either straight WW or a 75/25 mix of WW & lead . when water dropped from the mould into water & letting it age harden for 24 hours mine test around 25 bhn for WW and to about 19 bhn for the 75/25 mix. a mix of 50/50 WW&Lead WD test at 15 bhn with my LBT tester.

[wildwilly]

I found that cast diameter was the most important factor for my Marlin micro-groove. So, now I just air cool my boolits (Lyman 358156gc), wheelwt. scrap and size to .360.

[GARCIA]

AC WW for me sized at .359 and lubed with LBT Blue.
No signs of leading even when pushed hard with 296/H110.

Tom

[youngda9]

Size is the most important. With the right size and a decent lube you can push em hard and won't lead.

If you're using a really hard bullet and not driving them hard they will not obturate and seal well to your bore and they will lead and not shoot well.

What is the side of your bore?
What are you sizing you boolits to?
What lube are you using?

[ReloaderFred]

Mine are BHN 12, lubed with Magma lube and sized .358. I get no leading in any of our Marlin .357 rifles, and that's 5 of them.

Hope this helps.

Fred

[Moondawg]

I would have to ditto Reloader Freds comment. I have the same experience with my 1894 in .357. I do use a GC boolit on the ones that I load the hottest. :lovebooli

[FergusonTO35]

With anything .38 Special and mild .357's water dropped wheelweights or range scrap works great in my 1894C with Micro Groove. As I recall I've never had any problems unless I really push 'em hard. I think sizing to .359 might help, or using a GC boolit.

[Suo Gan]

I have owned several Marlin 1894's, sadly I am not that hard anymore. What is the correlation here? Something I should be aware of?