Heavy (190gr+) .358" molds?

[Ardent]

I'm trying to find a mold for a 190gr+ .358" bullet for my Marlin 1894 carbine in .357 mag. I would really prefer something over 200grs, up to 220grs or so.

What's available? I'm a big follower of Lee aluminum molds but sadly they just don't fit the bill on this one without a custom mold. (As a side note I've been debating whether I could justify the money for a .358" 220gr HP Lee custom) I currently have a 158gr HP Lee, is it possible to modify this mold by boring/reaming it out deeper to throw a heavier bullet? I would need a cylindrical reamer in order to preserve the HP.

Lyman has some options I believe, but I really know nothing of which molds exist. Are there any heavy Lyman HP blocks available?

Cheers folks.

 

[Wil Terry]

LYMAN USE TO MAKE A .358" 225gr SWC MOULD FOR SURE.

A pal of mine used it for years in a Ruger REDHAWK 5 1/2" 357MAG sixgun. He ran 'em at 1425FPS from that sixgun and they shot like a millian bucks.Can't remember the mould number to save my life.

 

[Ardent]

That mold would be just about perfect, I'll look it up, thanks.

 

[Black Snowman]

Here's what a found on MidwayUSA, but they're all gas check rounds. Probably inteded for .35 caliber rifles. They might do the trick.

RCBS 2-Cavity Bullet Mold 35-200-FN 35 Caliber (358 Diameter) 200 Grain Flat Nose Gas Check
Saeco 2-Cavity Bullet Mold #352 35 Caliber (358 Diameter) 245 Grain Flat Point Gas Check
Saeco 2-Cavity Bullet Mold #356 38 Special and 357 Magnum (358 Diameter) 200 Grain Flat Point Gas Check

 

[Ardent]

Thanks for looking those up for me, much appreciated.

I like the look of the 245gr

 

[LC '92]

re: Heavy bullets in the Marlin .357.

One thing to watch for here is that the overall length of the loaded cartridge. It may be longer than the Marlin will feed. Even deep seating them so they will feed will consume all the needed powder space for such a heavy bullet.

I had this scenerio happen to me with a '92 Winchester in .25/20. The long lead bullet loaded great through the rifles loading gate but when the cartridge elevator tried to pick it up out of the mag tube, the nose snagged the tube and locked the rifle up tigher than Dicks hatband. The rifle had to be disassembled to get the cartridge out and the rifle back to funtioning.

You may want to assemble a dummy cartridge to the OAL of the anticipated cast bullet and see if it will feed prior to ordering a mould.

Hope this is helpful...