[Jeeping]

Well finally got around to handloading and shot my first batch yesterday. To my surprise every 10th or so bullet would hit paper side ways. I shot it out my marlin 1894c and used once fired magtech brass, 16gr of H110, CCI 500 primers and 158 gr gold dot.
Only thing I dint do as manual said is that I used regular primers instead of magnum once. I messed up when ordering them but figured it still be ok to plink with them.
You guys think that wrong primers could make them bullets fly side ways?

[308sc]

I think this is called keyholing? try reducing your crimp.

[Walkalong]

My only guess is they were to slow to stabilize properly. I am guessing because I do not know the twist rate of your Marlin, nor do I know the velocity of that load, but it is definitely not the primer change unless it caused a poor enough burn of the powder that the velocity was way down. How did it feel.

Yep, keyholing, but reducing the crimp will only hurt with jacketed bullets and H110. Too much crimp with plated bullets can cause keyholing.

16 Grains should have been a good place to start.

[Hutch]

Unless the keyholing shots were squibs, I don't think the primers were you problem. Does other ammo shoot okay?

[buck460XVR]

16gr of H110, CCI 500 primers and 158 gr gold dot.


My speer loading manual lists 15.5grns. of H110 for the maximum load for .357, 158 GDs outta a rifle. They also say to use a magnum primer. I'm thinkin' the large volume of 110 and the weak primer may lead to a failure to fully ignite and is giving you the problem.

BTW....I use 15 grns. of H110, and CCI 550 primers with 158 GDs in my 6'' 686 and it gives me a nice shooting, accurate Magnum load.

[rcmodel]

Yep!

15.5 grains is a max load according to Speer.

You could be over-driving the plated jacket Gold-Dot's and they are stripping out in the Micro-Groove? rifling.

Back off to 15.0 and try it again.

You can't make a .300 Mag out of a .357 Marlin carbine anyway.

rcmodel

[Mal H]

Personally, I think the standard primers could well be the problem. You have chosen one of the few powders that requires a magnum primer. With some you can get away with a standard, but not H110 (and W296).

try reducing your crimp.I would give the opposite advice - try a tighter crimp. Not so tight that it deforms the bullet, but those two powders require a good solid crimp along with the magnum primer.

[Jeeping]

Ammo shot really nice, was able to get about 2.5 inches at 90 yards not even trying. I couldn't tell the difference between Remington's 125gr from WalMart and my load as far as recoil. Remington actually felt kind of sharper. With 15.5 grains every 5th round would hit paper sideways thats why I figured the primers were the problem not igniting the powder right.
Just got done loading 25 rounds with 15.5 gr and a bit tighter crimp. When I get back for IL I'll give that batch a try and see how it goes.

Will order right primers this week too.
Any one got a good load for 125 gold dots?

Thanks for all the info guys.!

[The Bushmaster]

That should do the trick...Lower the powder charge and use magnum primers...

[rg1]

Alliant data recommends 1.575" overall length with the 158GDHP. My Marlin loves the Hornady XTP 158gr FP and HP's using 13.0 grains of AA#9, CCI500 primers, and a COL of 1.580". You never know what the Micro-Groove rifling is gonna like and maybe it doesn't like plated GD's at max velocity?

[zxcvbob]

Reduce your powder slightly and switch to a small rifle primer if you don't have any pistol magnum primers. And use a tighter crimp, but don't go crazy with it. I think the primer is your problem.