Cast Boolits For Marlin 1894C .357

[Jim22]

I've been working on my own here trying to get some cast boolit loads for my Marlin .357 magnum. I started with some 158 gr gas checks and Carnauba red lube sized .358. Couldn't get very good accuracy. Someone on this forum suggested sizing to .360" for the microgroove rifling. I don't have a sizer in .360 so I cast up some unsized and powder coated them. The green boolits are PC'd using Smoke's John Deere Green powder. Cast from straight COWW.

Took them out to the pit and shot some targets at 50 yds with receiver sight and brass bead. Got several inch and a half groups. Now I'm happy. My marlin is shooting those boolits at least as well as I can.

The COWW produced some nice looking boolits.



Now I'm trying some softer boolits from the same mould. 49% COWW, 49% Pb, and 2% Sn. Powder coated with Smoke's gloss black to tell the boolits apart. Still accurate. No leading.:)

Edit: Am having trouble attaching images. Is there a place I can get straightened out?

[beagle]

I have a Marlin M1894 and it eats about anything. I shoot more from it than I do the .22s in the house. Mine will not feed the Lyman 358429 crimped in the crimp grove. Too long by a little so I throttle back on the load a bit and crimp on the forward edge of the driving band. It even shoots wadcutters accurately but won't feed them naturally.

They ain't picky./beagle

[NEKVT]

My 1894C from 1982, when there was no question a Marlin was a Marlin, likes wadcutters and will function in 357 cases but 38's are too short. The RCBS 148gr WC cast with straight lead unsized and lubed with LLA will shoot into a ragged hole at 25yds with 2.8 Red Dot or 3.0 231 and most likely any similar load. Yes not fussy and it's been a lot of fun for a long time.

[cwlongshot]

Same here Beagle.... I love that 358429. I have it in a HP too. Its wonderful in my Maxi but refuses to shoot in my Marlin. I shoot the 358466 with good success. Im hoping for a HP version soon. I was gifted some and love them!! Its shorter nose is night and day!

With the NOE 360-183 and its dual crimp I use a 38 case and lower crimp loaded with light 357 loads and it works. I have t tried to "push" things.

CW

[Walks]

Like many I love the #358429, until I pick up a M27. then it's #358477 or #358156.
I've had Really GOOD LUCK shooting the #358156 over max 2400, and cast HARD, sized .3585. My Microgroove rifling loves it.
But the Very BEST Bullet is the Saeco #354.
In MY Youth I could put 3 shots into one hole at 50yrds.
In My Youth.

[beagle]

Mine handles and shoots about anything except the 429 seated in the crimp groove. I have a RCBS Cowboy design. About 159 grain round, flat nose that I've HP'd. Man, that thing eats them like candy. 90% of my shooting is done with .38 Special cases and they really run nice through it. With the price of .22 LR and my stash of primers and powder and lead, I shoot more .38 Special loads than .22 LR. Cheaper with what I have. Love it for a farm gun. Marlin got a winner with this one./beagle

[farmbif]

there is a reason why the 358156 has been around for so long. it just plain works.