MArlin 357 Cowboy

[kelbro]

Finally got one of these 20" octagon-barrelled jewels! What a sweet feeling action.

My 358 molds are all for handguns. I am guessing that I will need to start using GC boolits to get the most out of this rifle. Recommendations for good hunting bullet molds? Recommended alloys?

I have been looking for 357 Mag load data for rifles and it is not as common. Any direction from those with 357 rifles?

[PatMarlin]

Congrats on the new iron.

Is the receiver case hardened on yours?

You can solve your Gas Check mold problem with one of my 35PB dies. No need to buy new molds.

I've been wanting to buy one of these for my wife for Christmas, but have not been able to find one. The case hardened variety anyway. Stopped at a gunshop to order one today and they could not get one.

[home in oz]

Post your load development results and detatils.

Good for you getting this rifle!

[hickstick_10]

I got one recently myself (first marlin)

You will enjoy it IMMENSELY. The tapered octagon barrel sure balances nicely.

As far as moulds, the lee 158 grn tumble lube has worked just fine for me, no leading, and under some pretty stout charges of IMR 4227.

Enjoy a fine shooting gun sir!!

Edited to add: Tang sight is a MUST on these things, improves the looks and the shootability immensely.

[kelbro]

Unfortunately, not a case hardened receiver...

I will try a few loads out and see how the TL PB boolits do.

[Jack Stanley]

As for looking for rifle loads , some of the manuals list them twice . Once in the rifle section and again in the handgun section . I think if you try the slower burning powders you may see perhaps better results with a twenty inch barrel .

I've been using some plain base bullets in my carbine with an almost max load of Universal Clays and it hasn't leaded yet . But then , it works well with a hundred eighty-five grain gas checked LBT bullet with a stiff charge of Accurate arms number nine as well .

Jack

[9.3X62AL]

My sis-in-law's husband just got a new Marlin 1894C in 357, and we ran some of my 357 Maximum Group Buy 180 grain flatnose GC boolits through it on Sunday. These were on top of 12.0 grains of 2400, which I would rate as medium-warmish. There is a definite THUMP to these loads not present with the 158 grain boolits atop 13.5 grains of 2400 (also medium-warmish).

[EDK]

Your little Marlin will feed and be accurate with almost any boolit. I use the Lyman 358665, 358156 and a few 358432 (button nose wadcutters) in mine, BUT the mould I really like is the Night Owl Enterprises 360 180 wide flat nose. You might also want to try a larger diameter...360 or .361.

Lots of information at marlinowners and Glenn Fryxell's articles at lasc.us will save you a lot of wasted time, effort and components. Glenn is THE MAN on cast boolits...supposedly he has a book in the works...I want two copies.

:Fire::cbpour::redneck:

[excess650]

I have (3) Marlin 357s. They seem to like heavy bullets, and the Saeco #354 185gr w/GC is a GREAT choice. I size and lube in a .360" die, and am using F200 or F205 primers. The F205 have thicker cups, so are better suited to hot loads. 15gr of my current lot of H110 in Starline cases works well, but an older lot liked even more powder.

The NOE .360-180 is a great choice as well. Mine is of the HP variety, and needs another 1/2gr of H110 to get the accuracy in line with the Saeco 354.

If you just want a plainbase bullet, the similar Saeco 353(?) or Lee 358-158RF are good choices.

[bobthenailer]

i also have 1894C in 357 mag ! i use the lee GB 180 wfn gc in mine , accuracy is excellent
in 357 cases, 4.5 gr tight group 1030 fps without gas gk installed , 12.0 gr ww surplus 820 / for 1440 fps and 15.5 lilgun / for 1710 fps. all from a 18 1/2 barrel
fed sp in first load and fed spm in the last 2 loads. you my possibley use more powder but these were the most acurrate loads in my rifle.



bob

[TCFAN]

I too have a 94C in 357. I have two loads that I shoot in it . One is a plinking load in 38spl cases wit 4.2 grs. of Bullseye with a Lee 158 RF boolit.
The second load is in 357 case with H110 and a Lyman 358156 Hp going about 1700fps. This load stays loaded in the rifle all the time. It is unbelivable what it does to Coons and armadillos.
The best thing about both loads is they shoot to the same point of aim out to 100 yards. No adjusting the sights from one load to the other...........Terry

[cajun shooter]

The 358665 PB and the 358156 GC are two good ones to use. Very accurate

[kelbro]

Thanks for all of the suggestions. Didn't get a chance to shoot her this weekend.

I have a batch of loads that have the Lee TL WC seated to crimp in the last ring. Just barely poking out of the case. These cycled like butter through the action.

[Dave B]

My Marlin shoots real good with Lee 125 RF at .358 and 7gr Unique. Also 38s with 5gr.

[PacMan]

For my heavy load i am using a 180gr gas checked LBT flat nose sized to .3605 over 15.8 grains of Little Gun. 1837fps and 1 1/2 to 2 in groups at 100 yards. I use Remington cases because sized at the above dia. the Starline cases are to thick and will not feed through my Marlin.
Having said that you should slug your gun and before buying a bunch of brass make sure that they will chamber before buying the Starline brass.
I could send you a couple of dummy rounds in both cases if you want and you could see if they will feed,Let me know with a pm and your address.
Dwight