I have a Marlin 1894 in .357 Mag with a 24" Octagonal barrel. I looking to buy a mould to cast bullets for it. It is mostly a fun gun but I wouldn't be afraid to hunt deer with it and I would like to cast a good bullet for it. Anybody have any experience and suggestions for me?
Mike B.

Mike, I'm new here but been reloading for many years and casting for as many and the cast bullett I like for the .357 in single shot pistol or rife would be the on I have made by RCBS #82028. It's a 200gr flatnose. I get good velocities and good accuracy. If I were to make a second choice it would be the same design but in 180 grain. I think I loaded with 296, but H110 or my favorite over the years for stratewall mag pistol 2400. I'm sure there's others that make a similar design, I just don't have reference at the moment. Chief

Mike you have a pm

Here's the bullet you want:
http://castboolits.gunloads.com/showthread.php?t=6408

http://castboolits.gunloads.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=1330&d=1145634936

Here's the bullet you want:
http://castboolits.gunloads.com/showthread.php?t=6408

http://castboolits.gunloads.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=1330&d=1145634936

A personal opinion here only. Those are great cast boolits for a revolver but as they set far into the case they decrease powder capacity. For single shot or lever guns I like the rifle bullits that give more case capacity and velocity Chief

One more vote for the RCBS 35-200, Ive used it for 20 years, and it shoots great in every gun i"ve tried it in. The only problem is it can be a little long in some chambers, so I've been loading it in 38 special cases.
Although I've never found a 38 that would chamber these loads, it is possible, so every box is labeled as 357 mag-max, not to be loaded in 38's. and I only load one load, so if I see that bullet, I know what it is and what it will do. DM

I would also suggest going with something like the Dick Dastardly "Grease Wagon".

Its a long nose .358" with extra large lube groves. But, it also allows 38s to cycle easier in 357mag rifles.

It also makes the 357mag a bit longer. 158gr as well.

A personal opinion here only. Those are great cast boolits for a revolver but as they set far into the case they decrease powder capacity. For single shot or lever guns I like the rifle bullits that give more case capacity and velocity Chief

Seat it out farther, 'til it engraves.

Tycer, you still have to crimp for use in tubular magazine so you still have to stuff the slug way far into the case for that.
DM, Now that you mention it I cut down a couple hundred 357 cases to the same thing with a Dan Wesson Revolver that I used for silhouette ram loads. As I remember it knocked down them big steel targets like the big 44 slugs. And very accurate. Chief

You can load a short nosed, deep seated bullet out further. If the case mouth doesn't line up with the crimp groove, us a taper crimp die. You can get a taper crimp die for the 38/357 from RCBS. A 9mm taper crimp die might also work. I have done this and it works fine.
Jeff

Here's the bullet you want:
http://castboolits.gunloads.com/showthread.php?t=6408

http://castboolits.gunloads.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=1330&d=1145634936


Saturday June 3rd is the last day for that group buy for that 180 Grainer for the 357Mag. Theres still time to get in on that deal fellas. Going, Going,.....

I have to admit that I like that bullet design steve, I just don't shoot the 357 stuff like I used to, and I have the RCBS mold I speak of. I also have a mold for a 44 similar to that which weighs in at 310-330 grains and it works well. Chief

A personal opinion here only. Those are great cast boolits for a revolver but as they set far into the case they decrease powder capacity. For single shot or lever guns I like the rifle bullits that give more case capacity and velocity Chief

If you have a rifle that will accept the longer OAL I would agree with you, but the original poster said he wanted to use it in a Marlin. With brass at 1.280, that bullet loads at 1.580 minimum. You can't go but .020 more in an unmodified 1894C and get good function. I get over 1,700 fps average in my 18.5 inch Marlin when I push it with 14.9 grains of Lil' Gun though I prefer 12.0 of 2400 at 1,489 fps average.

That's some good speeds ima, I have used the bullet in single shot pistol and length isn't a factor there. I used 296 powder and never used a chrono on it, as accuracy was all that was important at the time. I likely cast with a ww and lino mix so the castings were good and hard with no leading problems. I also wrapped some with teflon tape with good results. Chief

Mine are WW plus 1% tin water quenched from the mold. I've used Ballisticast hard lube and 50/50 Alox as lube with no perceptible difference in results. Sadly, I can't report I own one of the standard internet sub MOA lever guns. The Lil' Gun load put 14 shots into just under 4.5 inches at 100 yards (14 was all I had left so I don't know if that is repeatable, but it sure is promising). The 2400 load routinely groups 10 shots between 4 and 5 inches at the same distance.