Skinnedknuckles
07-16-2016, 12:32 PM
I have a 1957 era Marlin 336 (Microgroove) in 35 Remington that I'm starting to reload for. One thing I want to load is light plinking rounds using pistol bullets. I loaded some 158 gr coated SWC bullets over Unique and was pleased with the initial results. However, I noticed a very slight resistance as the bolt finally closed, something I don't feel with "normal" jacketed rifle bullets.
As a second trial I've loaded some cartridges with 180 gr coated WFN bullets from MBC over IMR4227. However, when test chambering a dummy round I've noticed even greater resistance as the bolt finally closes. Looking closely I can see a ring about 1/8" out from the case mouth and about 1/8" long where the coating is slightly compressed, and maybe I can see slight indication of rifling in the compressed area. The bullets as received are .359" and the compressed area measures .357". I flipped a jacketed bullet upside down in a case and chambered it, and it was pushed back by the throat to the same point that the compressed area on the coated bullet begins, so I'm assuming the very slight taper of the WFN bullet is just contacting the start of the rifling at the end of the throat.
Having heard the warnings about possible pressure spikes when ramming jacketed bullets into the rifling with full power loads, I'm a little hesitant to fire them without more information. Given the small powder charges (for reduced velocities) and thus lower pressures, and the fact that it is soft coating instead of hard jacketing contacting the rifling, I don't think I would see any spikes, but would like some confirmation from others with more experience loading cast bullets in rifles.
As a second trial I've loaded some cartridges with 180 gr coated WFN bullets from MBC over IMR4227. However, when test chambering a dummy round I've noticed even greater resistance as the bolt finally closes. Looking closely I can see a ring about 1/8" out from the case mouth and about 1/8" long where the coating is slightly compressed, and maybe I can see slight indication of rifling in the compressed area. The bullets as received are .359" and the compressed area measures .357". I flipped a jacketed bullet upside down in a case and chambered it, and it was pushed back by the throat to the same point that the compressed area on the coated bullet begins, so I'm assuming the very slight taper of the WFN bullet is just contacting the start of the rifling at the end of the throat.
Having heard the warnings about possible pressure spikes when ramming jacketed bullets into the rifling with full power loads, I'm a little hesitant to fire them without more information. Given the small powder charges (for reduced velocities) and thus lower pressures, and the fact that it is soft coating instead of hard jacketing contacting the rifling, I don't think I would see any spikes, but would like some confirmation from others with more experience loading cast bullets in rifles.