38+P loads out of a Marlin 1894 357 Mag

[JimTom]

G'day Gents

As I have eluded to in another post, I have been loading some cast projectiles in my Marlin 1894 357Mag. They shoot quite nicely however I have been having a little trouble getting them to lift up to be fed into the chamber. They extract and eject with no issues at all. I am thinking that if I shorten them a little that may fix the issue, however, the cases are already trimmed to the correct length for my jacketed projectiles so I don't really want to shorten them any further incase it doesn't solve the problem and I end up with short cases.
Does / has anyone used 38 +P loads out of their lever action? I have read that they have a lot of trouble getting them to cycle properly and that it can even leave a permanent ring in the chamber???
Any advice sincerely appreciated.
Thanks fellas.

[No1Mk3]

G'day JimTom,
I don't have a 357 rifle but I have been using revolvers for 30+ years, and know of the issue of carbon rings in 357's using a steady diet of 38. I purchased another Python a few years back that had this problem, it is absolutely NOT permanent but usually won't clean out in 1 cleaning with normal cleaning products. I fixed mine with 3 cleans using a good carbon solvent and a stainless steel brush now it accepts 357 without any issue. Clean after every use with a good solvent and the problem will not re-appear, Cheers.

[JimTom]

Mate thank you for taking the time to reply. Sounds like good advice, I shall give them a whirl and see how they go.

[Gamerancher]

Is there a reason you can't just seat the cast projectiles deeper in the .357 case?

[JimTom]

Is there a reason you can't just seat the cast projectiles deeper in the .357 case?

G’day mate, yes the cast projectiles have a heel on them and can only be seated to one depth in the case. OAL needs to be varied by trimming the case unfortunately.

[Blr243]

If th 38 sp case solves the feeding issue and you need more energy in the field than +p 38 loads Provide , do u know you can load the littl cases to 357 mag performance specs. ? As long as you are aware of the volume diff and do the research .. the 38 cases are plenty strong nuff.

[Blr243]

I saw some cheap second hand cases avail online couple of days ago. So I paid for them they are enroute. Several hundred of them. Can’t remember if they were 38 or 357. And then I thought “ oops , where do I buy primers. ? “. I suppose they will turn up one day in their own good time

[JimTom]

Mate the 38 cases will just be for shooting a few different range matches, I will still use the jacketed projectiles and 357 mag cases in the field.

[Blr243]

Got it.

[JimTom]

I did read somewhere the other day someone asking about 357 loads in 38 cases. Might have to investigate that further. Thanks for the input mate, appreciate it.

[Gamerancher]

"G’day mate, yes the cast projectiles have a heel on them and can only be seated to one depth in the case. OAL needs to be varied by trimming the case unfortunately."

By a heel, do you mean a crimp groove?
Have you got a photo of the cast bullet you're using?

[JimTom]

"G’day mate, yes the cast projectiles have a heel on them and can only be seated to one depth in the case. OAL needs to be varied by trimming the case unfortunately."

By a heel, do you mean a crimp groove?
Have you got a photo of the cast bullet you're using?

Yes sorry mate, I meant crimp groove. Posted last reply in a hurry.

[JimTom]

After a little more trial and error I am not convinced that the cases being too long is the issue. I am not entirely intimate with the working of my lever action, and although I have totally disassembled and reassembled it, it is my first one and not an action I’ve had a lot to do with before. I am thinking it’s the semi wadcutter end that is somehow preventing operation, as the round nose cast projectiles worked just fine and they are the same length. Unfortunately the round nose casr projectiles shot terribly.