Hi-

* I'd like a little advice on a new mould purchase. The mould in question is produced by Ballisticast and for the .38/.357 but I have not yet decided which bullet design to choose. I can get it in 160 gr WFNPB or a 180gr WFN with or without a gascheck.
* They will be used in both an 1894 Marlin as well as a 686 primarily for plinking but may be used for hunting [I have some of Marshall's 185 grainers on the way which can take care of hunting needs]. I just want to make sure the choice I make is one that gives top accuracy with a variety of guns without going through hoops to get it and that it is versitle in its uses.
* All advice would be greatly appreciated.

God bless
Kevin
PS Awfully good to see you posting again Marshall!

I vote for the 180gr. WFN with the gas check, as that is what I shoot in my .357's.  Load development was a snap - 16.0 gr. WW296/H110.

Hi Mike-

* That is what I hoped I would hear;-). If you don't mind a couple more questions...have you tried that bullet in a .38 case with lighter loads using HP-38 [say 5 grains] or Unique? What kind of 50 yard accuracy should I expect from an 1894 with the load you mention?

Thanks

God bless
Kevin

I haven't tried it at lower velocities, sorry.  

Don't have a lever .357 (kind of tragic, hope to remedy at the next gun show), but my .357 Blackhawk will put 5 of them in 2" at 50 yards.

So I think it would be reasonable to improve on that with a rifle.

The 180 gr bullet may be too long for the 1894 Marlin in .357 mag case. Hodgdon Data Manual No. 23 has 200 gr lead bullet loads  with HP-38 using 2.5 to 3.2 gr in .38 Sp. and 3.4 to 4.2 gr in .357 mag.  This source lists 160 gr lead bullet loads with HP-38 using 2.7 to 3.7 gr in .38 Sp. and 3.0 to 3.9 gr in .357 mag.

Thanks for the help. I did the next best thing and ordered a four cavity mould with two cavities for each bullet. The mould should be arrive soon and I'll post the results of a variety of loads.

God bless
Kevin