Bullet for 1894 in 357

[Adk Mike]

I just picked up a 1894 in 357 mag. It's like new and I've yet to shoot it. I've got a couple Lyman pistol molds 358156 and 358477 will they work? Or should I order something different? If I get a new mold I'd like one that will cast 4 at a time. Mike

[softpoint]

You have a good mold for that rifle, the 358156. I am loading cast for a 1894 in .357 as we speak. I am loading the 358156 bullet with 13.5 grains of AA#9 I'm getting 1" to 1 1/2" groups at 50 yards. I am also loading 2.7 grains of bullseye with the speer swaged 148 grain double end wadcutter that shoots to same point of impact to 50 yards:p

[beagle]

Both moulds work just fine in my Marlin. I have both in HP and shoot a lot of both.

If you just got to have anew mould and who doesn't, I'd look at the RCBS 38-158-CM and have Buckshot do a HP job on it. I have one and it feeds really nice in .38 or .357 cases. My favorite bullet./beagle

[crabo]

The Lee 125 rf cowboy boolit is a great plinkling boolit. It shoots really well at 50 yards and will knock the rams down at 100 with 6 grains of Universal. Casts fast in a 6 cavity and makes a lot more boolits for the same amount of lead as a 158 mold does.

[truckmsl]

anybody had any luck with the plain base Lee tumble lube 158gr semiwadcutter?

[NickSS]

I use the lee 125 and 158 gr RNFP bullets in my 38s and 357s. The semi wad cutters feed ok except I have had some jams with them due to the sharp shoulder catching on the chamber lip. With the Lee boolits mentioned I do not have that problem. I use the 125 gr slug for plinking and cowboy shooting (same thing) and the 158 gr for longer ranges and hunting. Generally my hunting boolits I cast out of alloy made from 2 parts WW and 2 parts pure lead. I generally load them with 7 gr of Unique. Works wonders on rabbits, raccoons and coyotes.

[truckmsl]

NickSS - I don't want to hijack this thread, but this is somewhat relevent to the original post - what load have you found for the Lee 158 RNFP that is accurate for velocities over 1100fps? My experience so far has been that this bullet loses accuracy at higher velocity - maybe I just haven't found the right load.

[WyrTwister]

anybody had any luck with the plain base Lee tumble lube 158gr semiwadcutter?

I shoot

http://www.leeprecision.com/cgi/catalog/cart.cgi?1237250158.210=90322

In a Winny M 1892 .357 Mag . It is not a TL mold . It shoots fine , but like other SWC's in other calibers , does not feed as well as I would hope .

Consider Round Nose Lead bullets for leaver guns to feed well .

God bless
Wyr

[Adk Mike]

Thanks for the input. I have some Lyman 358156 all cast up. I'll load some and give them a try. Mike

[timkelley]

Mike, the 358156 should be all you need.:-D

[brianintheup]

Has anyone loaded 38 brass to 357 pressures? The 38's feed faster in my lever action .357, but I like the power of the .357 loads. My favorite load is 17 grains of H110 with a 158gr bullet. 1" group at 100 yards.

This is a pic of fast shooting at 30 yards. 6.5 grs of bullseye 158 gr bullet.