360-180 GC RF - Thanks Beagle!

[Antietamgw]

I recently got a Marlin 336 in .35 Rem. (microgroove) and needed something loaded quick so I could at least say I'd shot it. This bullet did pretty well in my .358 Win with 3031, not so well in my slow twist Rossi .357 Mag levergun, which is what I had in mind when I bought the mold. A canister of Herco came my way and I happened on Beagle's article on the .35 Remington. The group might be a fluke, I'll find out tomorrow as I have 30 of these loaded. I only have 40 rounds of brass for the .35 so only loaded 5 rounds at different charges with the group buy 180 and 220 bullets. I was real pleased and if it isn't a fluke I have about enough Herco on hand that I will run out about the time the mold is worn out :-D Only 3 shots of the 12.0 gr. load as I used the first 2 to check sight in at 25 yds.

ACWW, couple months aged. Hornady checks, sized .3595, 50-50 Alox lube. Rem. 91/2 primers and Herco powder. I'm happy, thanks Beagle!
http://i65.photobucket.com/albums/h232/Antietamgw/LEE%20360-180/360180Marlin35Rem001.jpg

[Blammer]

NIce shooting!

[lathesmith]

Looks like 12.5 may be the sweet spot! Is that what you now have loaded up? Or a variety mix?
lathesmith

[GrizzLeeBear]

I have that mold but haven't shot it in anything but a 10" .357 mag. Contender. Shot very well. I'm sure those were very pleasant loads to shoot. Might want to try some stoked up with that 3031 or some 4895 for hunting loads. I used to have a 336 in 35 Rem. and it shot great with 158 and 200 gr. GC boolits on top of a load of 4895 (just below jacketed bullet max. loads). I'm holding on to the 180-rf mold mostly because I plan on replacing the 336 and I think it would be just about ideal for it, but its gonna get shot in the 35 Whelen I'm putting together as well.

[Antietamgw]

I loaded 30 more with the 12.5 gr. load and will shoot that later this evening to get a better idea if this load is consistant. Hopefully the chrono will cooperate. I'll do the same later with the lighter and heavier loads, going as far as Herco and ACWW will take me with accuracy. Then I'll try a slower powder and move up a bit. I need to get some more Remington brass! When I'm close to loads I think I'm going to stick with I like to load 40 of each and shoot them over several trips to the range, comparing them from session to session. Some days it seems like I just don't shoot well - hate to dismiss a load because I couldn't make it shoot that day. I like these plinking loads, easy on components. I'll be working on up toward a hunting load, likely trying 4895 and RL-7. I haven't really researched full power loads or the slower powders yet. Truthfully, I don't know why I bother working up a hunting load. I've done that with most of my other rifles but when it's time to make meat, I always end up grabbing my first centerfire, a 1917 Enfield sporter. It just doesn't seem like deer season unless I have her along.