Marlin 1894C 357 mag

[RemingtonMagnum]

Hi Friends

Sometimes a subject can fit in two heading and locations. This is one of those double position post. What I am looking for a good set up for reloading 357 mag for the Marlin lever rifle. I am suspecting the load may be higher with the Marlin rifle than a revolver etc. Does anyone have any experience loading the 357 mag higher than pistol recommendation? Please share you experience with a beginner in 357 reloading.

 ochocodj@bellsouth.net

Thanks Don Jackson Remington Magnum

[SUSQUASH]

I suggest you check either the Hornaday or Sierra reloading manuals for  the .357 Magnum rifle.  I have used one basic load for years in my 1894C and have had excellent results here in Michigan on deer out to 125 yards.  The load is 16.5 grains of WW296 with a 158 grain Jacketed Soft Point. Sierra lists this load at 1750 fps with energy of 1074 ft.lbs.  Seirra lists maximum load of 17 grains for that bullet at 1800 fps with energy of 1136 ft.lbs. Sierra results list for bullets from 110 grain JHC to 180 grain FPJ.  Hope this gives you a source to check for your reloading.  Your best bet is to check the manuals for all the information on the loads.

[Jerry Lester]

I'm not sure if you're meaning load data, or an actual re-loading set-up?

If you're talking about load data, then just use revolver data for your rifle, and be sure to start lower, and work up to the maximum for your rifle.

I have a Stainless 357 Blackhawk, and it'll handle any reasonable load I care to put through it. My rifle(Marlin 1894C) has so far, with the loads I've tried in it, handled loads that are maximum in any popular manuals. If sheer velocity/power is your goal, then buy some Lil'Gun powder, use magnum primers, pick a good 158g+ bullet, and you'll get the very strongest loads possible with a 357 magnum rifle. I've pushed 158g bullets past 2000 fps with Lil' Gun, and to be honest, case capacity was the limiting factor, not pressure.

Personally, I don't see the point in

[mlward]

I have an older 1894 C with microgrove in 357.  I really love it and would not give up the microgrove barrel.  But, that said if I want to shoot lead and I primarily do then I find that 180 gr. and up lead is dead on accurate.  But, I have trouble with lighter lead bullets with regards to accuracy.  I am not sure that I have ever shot jacketed bullets in the rifle and I have owned it for about 15 years.

[RemingtonMagnum]

Just got finished priming a couple hundred 357 case for loading. Now fo rthe weather to get better and drop some of this wind.

Don Jackson Remington Magnum/Ultramag

[Thirties]

Rem-Mag, don't forget that a .357magnum round will shoot a bullet  to higher velocity in an 18" barreled firearm  than from a revolver.

[uncle joe]

http://www.georgia-arms.com/miso_loaded_ammo.htm

Try this website- look for 357 deerstopper. A few years back Georgia required any pistol ammo used for deer hunting be capable of maintaining
500 ft.lbs of energy @ 100 yards these are 504# @ 100 yards. Just a little less than 44 mag. I have shot them from 1894 with no ill effects to date.
Great round and good people to deal with.

[357magrifleman]

I Tried the deer stopper rounds a few years back and found that the primers were blowing out the back when I shoot them. (Lots of smoke.)  I took them back to the Mfg. and got a refund.  They told me that it was  my rifle's firing pin striking too deep.  It seems strange that them deer stopper rounds were the only ammo that does that. 

[papajohn428]

Rem-Mag, the primary difference in loading 357 for rifle VS pistol is that you can milk more velocity out of the slower powders in rifles than you can in a short barrel.  Jerry stole my idea of recommending mag primers and Lil Gun, if you want a screamer that's the way to get it, but I'd stay away from bullets lighter than 140 grains unless you just want to blow critters and things into next week.  Using powders like 2400, H-110 or Lil Gun in a pistol barrel will get you plenty of flash and blast, in a rifle you'll get a noticeable jump in velocity.  The pressure ceiling is the same for either type of gun, so the same load data applies.

Bear in mind that some bullets just don't shoot that well at maximum velocities.  Jerry Lester has done some extensive testing with various bullets weights, and I'm sure he can give you more information on recommended ranges with given bullet weights.  I test and play around and experiment with a dozen different calibers, but Jerry knows the 357 Magnum as well as anyone around.  If there's a brain to be picked about loading the 357, he's the go-to guy!

Papajohn