So, I picked up a new Marlin 1895GBL to compliment the recent 1894CSBL, and off I went to NOE for some molds... I am rather addicted to the NOE molds.
First, I got a tiny boolit mold... the 460-396... but then I thought, if I want a light shooting load, I have the Marlin .357 for that... so back to NOE for the puny 460-538... the WFN is at 540 grains and the HP at 530 grains once powder coated and checked. Then poured over load books going back to 1967. Load... test...load...test...load...test... and I think I finally found a winner.
32.0 grains of IMR 4198 with a Federal LR primer in Starline nickel... because it's shiny and looks good.
Gave me 1435 fps, an extreme spread of 10 fps, and a standard deviation of 4 fps. No signs of pressure at all... and almost but doesn't quit make my ears flap in front of my face when shooting. Actually more pleasant than the 385 grain (those tiny anorexic boolits I first made) going 1800 fps.
I could probably push those 540's a bit faster, but then I might need an orthopedic surgeon... again.