Reloading for the Marlin .357

[M1key]

Handloading for the Marlin .357...using 14.5 grains 2400 behind a Hornady 158 XTP. Is it okay to use standard rifle primers or should I use pistol primers? The reloading manuals I have don't give specific guidance...

 

[zxcvbob]

Use the primer appropriate for the cartridge, not the one that's intuitive for the gun. (Use pistol primers in pistol caliber carbines, like this one, and use rifle primers in pristols that are chambered for rifle cartridges)

In other words, use the pistol primers. But if you've worked up a load using the rifle primers that's OK too -- it would be like unnecessarily using a magnum primer.

 

[ReloaderFred]

I've got several of the Marlin .357 Carbines and I use small pistol magnum primers in all the loads for the .357. When I'm shooting .38 Special in them, then I use small pistol standard primers.

Hope this helps.

Fred

 

[Steve C]

Loads with 2400 need to be worked up. I've got high pressure with magnum primers at anything over 13.5grs with 2400 and a 158gr bullet. Pierced and cratered primers. With standard primers I run 14.0grs an have normal primers. The velocity out of a 4" handgun duplicates factory ammo velocity of 1,242 fps. Speer currently recommends only standard pistol primers with 2400 using their data.

 

[ReloaderFred]

A lot of people swear by 2400, but I've always prefered other powders, namely Winchester 296, H-110 and Lil'Gun. I also prefer heavier bullets in my carbines for serious shooting. For Cowboy Action, I'm using 125 grain bullets in them, loaded over Bullseye.

Hope this helps.

Fred

 

[stubbicatt]

I used to use CCI small pistol powders with 2400 and a hand cast 159 grain Lyman "Cowboy" bullet. What an accurate combination. Some days I wish I hadn't sold that rifle.

 

[freakshow10mm]

2400/Blue Dot/#9 are good powders for medium loads. For full snort loads then W296/H110 is the choice. LG is the new kid on the block, but far from economical.

 

[ArchAngelCD]

Nothing wrong with 2400 but I prefer W296/H110 too. With those powders a Magnum primer is required because they are hard to ignite. Also, don't download W296/H110 more than 3% because those powders don't react well when downloaded. You will get a lot of unburned powder and possible even get a squib round. With a 158gr Jacketed bullet I charge 15.7gr W296 for my 4" S&W M686. I charge 16.6gr W296 for my Marlin 1894C. Those charges work for me and my guns.

 

[Steve C]

While I use H110 and W296 occasionally I don't see them as any better than 2400. H110 doesn't give any better velocities than 2400 and you use several grains more to do it.

 

[ChristopherG]

Whatever powder you use, you owe it to your self and your Marlin to try the XTP Flat Point (158 gr). Hands down the most accurate bullet in my Marlin--like, close to MOA accurate. Amazed me.

I like it over 18 grs of Lil' Gun, which gives a very consistent 2,000 fps with no pressure signs (and was the max load recommended by the powder manufacturer).

Have fun with the handiest and funnest little lever there is!

 

[RoadkingLarry]

Love my 1894C! Full house loads to cat-sneeze loads try a .38 with 4 gr unique for a fun plinker load.

 

[GSPKurt]

I get noticeably better groups with H110 over 2400 in my Marlin 1894 in .357mag. My 2 cents.

 

[ArchAngelCD]

I get noticeably better groups with H110 over 2400 in my Marlin 1894 in .357mag. My 2 cents.

So do I...

 

[Redhat]

Do you guys have any problems with COL and feeding in those lever guns?

I have a .357 Rossi M92 I would like to reload for.

Thanks

 

[rg1]

I load Hornady XTP HP's and XTP FP's at recommended overall length of 1.590" and they feed very well in my Marlin. .38Spec. seems to feed ok too but not as smoothly as Magnums.

 

[ReloaderFred]

I keep my .38 loads at least 1.470" in length and they feed just fine. It also depends on the bullet shape. Two of my Marlins are used for Cowboy Action Shooting with .38's and the bullet used is a round nose flat point.

Hope this helps.

Fred

 

[Seafarer12]

My .357 pistol and rifle load is a 158 psp with 14 grains of 2400 and small pistol primers. Alliant says not to use magnum primers with 2400 because of pressure spikes. I have never had a problem with my load and it is stout and clean. I don't see a need to run rifle primers because you aren't running rifle pressures so there is no need for them.

14.5 grains is pretty stout. Depending on the manual it is either max or over max.

 

[ArchAngelCD]

Originally Posted By Redhat:
Do you guys have any problems with COL and feeding in those lever guns?

I have a .357 Rossi M92 I would like to reload for.

Thanks

I have been loading Sierra 158gr JSP (Jacketed Soft Point) bullets and Hornady 180gr FP/XTP (Flat Point/XTP) bullets for my Marlin 1894C. Rounds made with either bullet have never failed to feed and work flawlessly.

I charge 16.6gr W296 for the Sierra 158gr JSP bullet and 15.0gr Lil'Gun for the Hornady 180gr FP/XTP.

Remember, never trust load data you get from someone you don't know on the Internet.
Always check the data before you use it!

Have fun and be safe...

 

[ReloaderFred]

A couple of friends have the Rossi Model 92 and they both load for them. They seem to feed just fine.

Hope this helps.

Fred

 

[papajohn]

I gave up on 2400 years ago, too much crud left in the barrel......0I used H-110/296 for awhile but got tired of running the loads at full throttle all the time. Now I use Lil Gun for the heavier weights, Unique for the light bullets and plinking stuff. Lil Gun gives better velocities with less powder, and CAN be safely reduced. I'm about to load a batch of 357 ammo with 158 SP's, Lil Gun, and Rifle primers. I think it will make the ignition more consistent. We'll see!

PJ

 

[ArchAngelCD]

papajohn,
I agree with most of what you said but for 2 things.
First, I wouldn't download Lil'Gun too much because it has similar properties as H110. It's not as bad as H110 but I would still be careful when downloading it. Secondly, I would definitely use a Small Pistol Magnum primer with Lil'Gun in the .357 Magnum but I would stay away from using a Small Rifle Primer. The two aren't interchangeable and the Small Rifle primer can cause a pressure spike.

 

[papajohn]

ArchAngelCD, I happen to agree with you. I use Lil Gun as a high velocity powder, when I choose not to load to FULL velocity. Lil Gun meters just like H-110, but still works fine when reduced up to 15% or so. If I want less velocity than that, I'll use something like Unique or Power Pistol. I have burned a LOT of Power Pistol since it was introduced, but almost gave up on it because of the amazing muzzle flash. Happily, in rifles, the flash isn't an issue. It burns a bit cleaner than Unique.

As for the primer issue, I'm about to launch into some experiments with the primers as the variable, magnum VS rifle. I don't think anyone but a true expert could tell the difference in the brisance, one burns hotter than normal, the other burns longer. In a rifle I doubt it matters much, but I'll see. None of my loads will be hot enough to get me in trouble, pressure spike or not. I'm a lot more interested in consistency and accuracy than I am in velocity, and this is apparently going to be the year I break down and buy a chronograph!

Papajohn

 

[ForneyRider]

Hornady is supposed to have their Leverlution(sp?) bullets avaible for reloaders this year. They have plastic tips.

H110, Lil'gun.

 

[ArchAngelCD]

papajohn,
Good info, thank you... I read somewhere (don't remember where though) that Lil'Gun shouldn't be downloaded. I will have to look a little deeper now that you are telling me it can be downloaded similar to 2400.

Thanks again...