sghart3578
08-28-2014, 10:47 AM
Hello friends,
I have a question for the experts here. I have a new to me Marlin 1894CS with a microgroove barrel. So far I really like it. It functions great and handles 357's and 38's interchangeably with no glitches. I already have several S&W 357s and I cast a lot of bullets for them. I also have a bunch of ammo already loaded, both in cast and jacketed. The first time I shot the Marlin I used my favorite jacketed load and my favorite cast load. Both have shot great in my revolvers and do about 1200 fps in a 4" barrel. In my rifle the jacketed bullets shot great but the cast loads leaded. The velocity out of the Marlin was 1700 fps. I should also note that I don't gas check the cast bullets. In my revolvewrs I never saw the need.
After several hours at the range with a chronograph I have found a few loads that do 1500 fps in my rifle and don't lead. These bullets are sized to .358. Accuracy is okay, not great and not as good as the jacketed but not bad.
I then slugged the bore of the Marlin and it mikes at .358". I realize I should have done this step first but I wanted to shoot my new rifle and I had hundreds of rounds already loaded and waiting. I dug out my RCBS mold. It drops a 168 gr bullet at .360". It also is made for gas checks should I choose to use them. I have loaded several of these at the 1500 fps level to further test for accuracy. I will try them this weekend.
After all of the long winded background here are my questions.
For plain based cast bullets is 1500 fps the upper limit before you need a gas check? Is this peculiar to microgroove barrels or does this limit apply to Ballard type Marlins and Rossis also? I don't mind the 1500 fps loads, they are fun to shoot. And my standard for practical accuracy is a paper plate at 100 yards.
Any feedback you can give me is helpful and much appreciated. Thanks in advance.
I have a question for the experts here. I have a new to me Marlin 1894CS with a microgroove barrel. So far I really like it. It functions great and handles 357's and 38's interchangeably with no glitches. I already have several S&W 357s and I cast a lot of bullets for them. I also have a bunch of ammo already loaded, both in cast and jacketed. The first time I shot the Marlin I used my favorite jacketed load and my favorite cast load. Both have shot great in my revolvers and do about 1200 fps in a 4" barrel. In my rifle the jacketed bullets shot great but the cast loads leaded. The velocity out of the Marlin was 1700 fps. I should also note that I don't gas check the cast bullets. In my revolvewrs I never saw the need.
After several hours at the range with a chronograph I have found a few loads that do 1500 fps in my rifle and don't lead. These bullets are sized to .358. Accuracy is okay, not great and not as good as the jacketed but not bad.
I then slugged the bore of the Marlin and it mikes at .358". I realize I should have done this step first but I wanted to shoot my new rifle and I had hundreds of rounds already loaded and waiting. I dug out my RCBS mold. It drops a 168 gr bullet at .360". It also is made for gas checks should I choose to use them. I have loaded several of these at the 1500 fps level to further test for accuracy. I will try them this weekend.
After all of the long winded background here are my questions.
For plain based cast bullets is 1500 fps the upper limit before you need a gas check? Is this peculiar to microgroove barrels or does this limit apply to Ballard type Marlins and Rossis also? I don't mind the 1500 fps loads, they are fun to shoot. And my standard for practical accuracy is a paper plate at 100 yards.
Any feedback you can give me is helpful and much appreciated. Thanks in advance.