1894 357mag load recomndations?

[Guest sneakboxer]

Well i'm on a roll. I just started loading for my 308 and i just picked up a 1894 marlin chambered in 357mag. Being that in very new to loading (i have loaded 95 308 rounds and shot 25) where should i start? I have a lee and Nosler manual but neither list rifle loads. I just ordered a Hornady book, carbide dies, brass and 125 and 140 xtp's.

Here are my loading goals:

safety ( of course)

feeding in my lever action

terminal ballistics (deer with in 75yds)

accuracy

Speed and power would be nice too

I'm thinking slower powders and working up like normal. Crimp and OAL will also be important.

What else should i be looking for? Do you have any pet loads for me to work up to?

Thanks in advance, this reloading thing is addictive.

[glockster157]

I have had several of these and currently have a 1894 Cowboy. I load 357's the same for rifle and pistol. For a plinking load, I use 158 grain copper plated bullets, not jacketed, with 5.0 grains of W231. Lot of fun, accurate and mild in a 357 revolver, carbine or rifle. For the magnum loads, I still use Alliant 2400 with standard primers. For 125's I use about 16.5 to 17 grains and the 140's I load 14.5 to 15. These loads will work in a rifle or revolver. Many will recommend H110/W296 but I have always felt this powder to be one speed rate too slow for these lighter bullets. Using mag primers, which I do not like as they do not seem to be as consistent, you might get better velocity, but I have never been able to get the accuracy that I have gotten from Alliant 2400 with standard primers. Look up loads by Elmer Keith, stay a little under his( he was a brave man) but I bring this up to say I have tested a lot of his loads over the years and found that he knew what he was talking about.

[dlm37015]

i use aa 9 its clean and a very good load