Seeking Advice on a New Challenge

[DaisyCutter]

I currently reload for 45 ACP, 44 Rem Mag, 30 Carbine, 223 Rem, 308 Win, and 30-06 Springfield. I have those cartridges pretty well sorted out. I honestly enjoy handloading more than shooting.

I want to try a new cartridge, and I'm considering the following:

10mm in a Springfield 1911 TRP
357 Mag in a S&W 686+
45-70 Gov in a Marlin Guide Gun

I'm a lefty. I have no illusions of hunting velociraptors or grizzlies. This is just for tinkering with, chasing a low standard deviation, shooting steel, and blowing up gallon water jugs. As it stands, I'm a much better autoloader shooter than a revolver shooter. I'd like to improve my revolver skills, but don't know if it's a lost cause at 40 years old. I've always wanted a Guide Gun for no good reason whatsoever.

10mm? 357Mag? 44-70Govt? Each call to my inner handloader.

Is there anyone that really enjoys loading one of these three cartridges?

Is there one of these cartridges that is a lot of fun to work with?

 

[Hokie_PhD]

40? Wow that’s so old! NOT

Seriously, age isn’t a factor in many things. Yes it impacts speed, vision, strength etc, but for what you describe if you just go out take your time and use what you know you’ll adapt quickly. As we get older we lose the items I mentioned but we have experience, so leverage that and have fun.

I can’t help you on a specific one, but it seems to me you should choose one that excites you.

 

[rjbmjb]

I cast and load 45 70 rounds for my Shiloh Sharps 1874. It is one of my favorite guns to shoot and load for. Never tried the Marlin Guide gun (my only lever action is a 30 30), but it looks like a fun gun to shoot from the youtube videos I have seen. The big rounds are great for busting up water jugs (and anything else). I developed some light loads for my 30 30 that let me shoot a lot longer before the barrel gets too hot, you can probably do the same for the guide gun. My light loads aren't good for more than 50 yards or so, but I use them to shoot bottles in my pistol pit.

I you are looking for variety, go for the 45 70. If you are more interested in honing your revolver skills, go for the 357 Mag.

 

[Bandit67]

40?? I have________older than you.
The real question is which one first? You're just gonna end up loading them all.

 

[AZAndy]

I have a lot of fun with the .357, but then I haven't shot or reloaded 10mm or 45-70. .357 can be loaded from light .38 levels all the way up to OMGwhatjusthappened, with a wide variety of bullet shapes and weights.

The key to revolver shooting is the trigger. Dry fire the heck out of it until you can run the trigger straight back without wobbling the sights, and you'll have it. No stopping halfway ("staging"), no slow pull, just a smooth pull to the rear. I didn't get serious about revolvers until a couple of years ago, and I'm 61, so I don't think your age will be much of a concern. Grant Cunningham's Defensive Revolver Fundamentals has lots of good tips.

 

[Toprudder]

I'd say 357, followed closely by 10mm. But if you really want more of a challenge, take up casting bullets for the 45-70.

 

[Ireload2]

Due to the volume of ammo needed handgun rounds are boring to load.

The .45-70 is like loading a very large pistol round. However to produce low recoil rounds that are pleasant to shoot takes a little finesse. The .45-70 can be very accurate to long distances with heavy bullets. When you shoot heavy bullets at long distance use a heavy single shot with a tang sight. Shooting a guide gun is just like shooting the same gun in a .30-30 with more recoil. It is not very interesting and the lever gun cannot handle the long range bullet designs.

 

[Load Master]

I have reloaded starting in 1967, however, .357 Magnum and 44 Rem Magnum in revolvers for less than a year now. I am having a blast with these two calibers. They are fun to load and a lot of fun to shoot. Things I love about revolver, no picking spent cases off the ground and there are rifle options for these calibers too. I actually am better at putting the round on the target (tighter groups) with the revolvers compared to my semi-autos.

 

[sparkyv]

I enjoyed loading .40SW so much that the next logical step for me was 10mm Auto. I loaded for my SR1911, and it has been a "blast" (except for trying to find my brass ). So much so that now I'm looking into a 10mm revolver. The 10mm has seen a recent resurgence, and I've been on that train with no regerts!

 

[jmorris]

I load all of them nothing challenging about any of the three but you will get the most out of loading 45-70 for your guide gun.

Factory 45-70 is watered down, you can hand load it for your marlin guide gun and turn it up to equal the 450 marlin, if you wanted to.

 

[Armored farmer]

Casting bullets is as much fun as reloading.
I would say .45-70., but...
Casting and loading for a .357 revolver / carbine combo is great too.

 

[Toprudder]

The .45-70 is like loading a very large pistol round. However to produce low recoil rounds that are pleasant to shoot takes a little finesse. The .45-70 can be very accurate to long distances with heavy bullets. When you shoot heavy bullets at long distance use a heavy single shot with a tang sight. Shooting a guide gun is just like shooting the same gun in a .30-30 with more recoil. It is not very interesting and the lever gun cannot handle the long range bullet designs.

I have a friend that shoots a lot of 45-70. He has a heavy Pedersoli replica of a Sharps rifle, and even with the weight of that gun, the recoil is substantial. VERY accurate, though. He is just getting into casting his own bullets, big and heavy at 530gn.

I have reloaded starting in 1967, however, .357 Magnum and 44 Rem Magnum in revolvers for less than a year now. I am having a blast with these two calibers. They are fun to load and a lot of fun to shoot. Things I love about revolver, no picking spent cases off the ground and there are rifle options for these calibers too. I actually am better at putting the round on the target (tighter groups) with the revolvers compared to my semi-autos.

I would echo that as well. I've been loading 44mag lately, and really have enjoyed it. I have a semi-auto pistol, revolver, and 20" rifle. They are all fun to shoot. I do love the revolver, don't have to chase down the spent shells.

I enjoyed loading .40SW so much that the next logical step for me was 10mm Auto. I loaded for my SR1911, and it has been a "blast" (except for trying to find my brass ). So much so that now I'm looking into a 10mm revolver. The 10mm has seen a recent resurgence, and I've been on that train with no regerts!

I have a 10mm that really spits the brass a long way. I am also looking at getting a 10mm revolver, Ruger is now making a 10mm GP100.

 

[someguy2800]

I bought a guide gun a year ago and it is the funnest gun I have ever shot. Everyone that shoots it absolutely falls in love with it. I load it with a 350 grain hard cast bullet and a case full of trailboss which nets 1250 FPS. Recoil is like a 20 gauge shotgun with trap loads, anyone can shoot it and its very enjoyable. It will hit an 8" plate at 200 yards with the peep sights which is basically limited by my vision. At 50 yards it will group an inch.



357 magnum is also a really fun cartridge to load for. I have never had a 10mm because I shoot in a grassy field and I would go bankrupt loosing brass in the weeds. Thats part of what make a revolver so fun to load for, the brass falls out into your hand.

 

[Legionnaire]

Were I you (and I'm not), I'd start with the .357, just because it's fun to load across a wide power spectrum. I find .357 and .44 magnum cases to be among the most fun to load for because you can load from powder puff (using Trail Boss) through intermediate (Unique) to full power magnum (2400) loads and ... you don't have to chase your brass!

 

[Fine Figure of a Man]

I load all of them nothing challenging about any of the three but you will get the most out of loading 45-70 for your guide gun.

Factory 45-70 is watered down, you can hand load it for your marlin guide gun and turn it up to equal the 450 marlin, if you wanted to.

In addition to better performance and more versatility, you will probably save the most money reloading 45-70.
It is fun casting bullets and loading for the 45-70.
No bad choices and if you're gonna shoot them you may as well load all of them.

 

[Zendude]

The 45-70 sounds the most interesting to me. I noticed that 38 special is not on your existing loading list. For revolver practice, the 38 might be best just to have a supply of inexpensive range ammo.

 

[Varminterror]

Since you enjoy reloading more than shooting, then the logical choice is 357mag.

The .357mag is the only one which allows development of BOTH .38spcl and .357mag loads, including hot loads and powder puff practice loads for both. If you want to soak up some time, you can start casting for any of the 3, but you’ll get the most for your money out of the .357mag/38spcl.

So you can work up some SWC 38spcl cast loads, play with gas checked cast 357mag hot loads, make a nice 38spcl +P load, and maybe even spend a little extra for a jacketed .357mag top end load. Better brass availability and lower cost than 10mm, lower powder use than .45-70. As a revolver, you won’t have to worry about matching your power level to your recoil spring as you do in the 10mm.

Way more options at a lower cost to pick the .357mag.

 

[ATLDave]

I load both of those pistol rounds. In fact, those were the first 2 rounds (10mm first, then 38/357) that I started loading. They're both great handloader's cartridges, with the ability to cover a HUGE range of power, bullet weight, powder speed, etc. 10mm is, in many ways, the semi-auto twin of the .357. Cannot go wrong with either.

If you're looking to get better at revolver shooting, though, then naturally getting a revolver into the mix increases the chances of that! Mastering that DA pull is kind of a fun pursuit.

 

[sparkyv]

I have a 10mm that really spits the brass a long way. I am also looking at getting a 10mm revolver, Ruger is now making a 10mm GP100.

Yes, I saw that new Wiley Clapp Influenced Design 3" GP100. Only thing I don't like is the price!

 

[DaisyCutter]

I would like to get better at the revolver thing. I've loaded 44 Mag in all flavors for my Super Blackhawk for years. Frankly, it's hard not to get flinchy with it.

This is kinda why I'm contemplating a 357.



I think that was 23.5 grains of 2400 under a 210 grain JHP. Those aren't my normal loads.

I don't have a DA revolver. So maybe the 357 is the best bet.

 

[Legionnaire]

You need to try some Trail Boss in the .44.

 

[WestKentucky]

I currently load a few revolver rounds...32acp 32sw, 32swl, 38sw, 38spl, 357 mag. I have also loaded 44 spl and 44 mag.
I currently load 9mm, 380, and 32acp for autoloaders. I have also loaded 10mm.

Of what was originally asked, there is realistically zero difference in loading 357 or 10mm. It’s just a different set of components to make high quality ammo. Both are equally capable of being barn burners or mouse farts (10mm becomes manual cycle though) and both have the same accuracy potential. Using my extensive background with 357 I very very quickly worked up a load for 10mm. I got the gun 2 weeks before deer season and put down a decent 8pt with it on opening morning. They ain’t the same, but they are so close that what works for one will probably work for the other.

357 is cheaper...ammo and component wise, with better component selection.

 

[Armored farmer]

Someone looking for big bore fun and a new challenge should consider cap and ball revolvers.
They are a blast.

 

[GW Staar]

Well you got my juices going......but I hate your limitations. Similar to mine. Tempted to say, "Do All Three"......and buy a lever action .44 too"......then you have more load development to do for that cartridge. It's only money. Yeah right.

My brother-in-law bought a .44 lever gun. It's now his favorte shooter on the range. Been thinking I need to get me one, and now you mention the Guide Gun in 45-70!

My first pick would be .357.....everybody ought to have at least one.....I have a nice broke-in & tuned Ruger Security Six already, so I'm looking with big eyes at your 45-70.

Question: Who has levers in both .44 mag and ..45-70? and what do you think......besides recoil and cost of reloading differences? of course range is different.....and therefore uses. My only levergun is an old turn of the century .30-30 Winchester 94 family heirloom, restored to it's original beauty.....and yes, of course, what's not to love.

 

[Varminterror]

Question: Who has levers in both .44 mag and ..45-70? and what do you think......besides recoil and cost of reloading differences? of course range is different.....and therefore uses.

I’ve been hunting Marlin 1894’s in .44mag for over 25 years, and .45-70 1895’s for over 20. I more often reach for the 45-70 for hunting, but only from habit.

The use really isn’t much different, only the range. In North America, I haven’t found anything which will tolerate a 240grn bullet at 1800-1900fps, or a 300 at 1450-1600. Neither are great for African dangerous game, but such could be a differentiating factor - but only by a thin margin. The trajectories of both are really their respective limitations. The trajectories really aren’t so different, say, between a 240 at 1800 in the .44mag and a 325 at the same (Hornady factory load in the Guide Gun). The Guide Gun with the Leverevolution load runs 30” of drop at 250yrds, and dropping about an inch every other yard, and a 240 XTP out of the 20” 1894 is within an inch or two out to 275yrds - that’s a LOT to manage. For most shooters, both are 200yrd and less rifles...

More recoil, little heavier rifle, bigger ammo... not much difference in deer fields.