Just bouncing this idea off the forum, I've a hankering for another lever gun, I know what I don't want, and that is any caliber bigger than 38/55, don't really want another pistol cartridge and I don't want a new gun or a collectors piece.
I saw the 35 Rem as a possible as it generates enough ME to be legal for all UK deer should I decide to return to hunting, one of the main reasons I had was the possibility of using 357 bullets to reload for it.
I have a 30/30 with molds, dies etc and am quite happy with that gun but find I use it less and less as I can't get my hands on LR primers, I also have a rossi r92 in 357 with all the gear to cast my boolits that is my range favorite.
I've found a local machine shop who will make me 100 pieces of brass for a unit price of about 4 times 30/30 starline brass BUT he won't form it down to caliber. FWIW I intend to specify that the machinist makes the primer pocket to suit small rifle primers, given that it will be just a tool for plinking 99% of the time and I'll buy branded brass as it becomes available to use up the last of my 1000 LR primers.
My query is (a) is it much of a chore to neck the case down with a full length sizing die and, if it's easy-peasy, what's the best dies to get bearing in mind I'm only going to get 100 made in the first instance and (b) will it perform OK with 170 grn TL SWC and reduced loads.
I only intend to use light loads so the cases should last quite well as they have a reputation for longevity.
I almost bought a 38/55 mod 94 but in the end it got sold before I could bid on it. I also researched other lever gun 35 calibers but they all use LR primers and guns are virtually impossible to source this side of the Atlantic whereas I know of two marlin lever guns that tick my boxes which means a carbine, straight pistol grip and full length mag tube.
What do you think?