Bullets for a .357 lever-action rifle?

Eskimo · July 22, 2010, 05:48 PM

I have a Marlin 1894SS, a Ruger SP101, and a Ruger Vaquero all in .357 mag.

I already have the powder and the primers, and now I'm looking to buy a bulk 1000 pack of bullets. Lever-actions can be a little temperamental with different types of ammo, and that's my main concern.

What type of bullet and what grain? I heard somewhere that you can't use full wadcutters in some revolvers. Are semi-wadcutters a good choice?

I will be using the lever for deer hunting (deep brush, 80 yards or less), so I would prefer 158 grain or higher.

Thanks in advance!

zxcvbob · July 22, 2010, 06:09 PM

Best choice is a RNFP cast bullet, or a TC (truncated cone). SWC's usually won't feed well in a lever-action. You can also use JSP or JHP. 158, 160, 173, or 180 grains, take your choice.

148 grain DEWC's are probably OK in a .357 (they work in my Marlin) but will be too short when loaded in .38 Special cases.

Eskimo · July 22, 2010, 06:28 PM

Exactly what I was looking for, thanks!

salvadore · July 22, 2010, 06:54 PM

I dont own a .357 rifle so i am probably talking out my pooper. I would go with a gascheck like Lyman's 358156 with gas check. My Marlin 94 with a gascheck bullet is a tackdriver

jmortimer · July 22, 2010, 08:21 PM

Is this for hunting and self-defense? If so then a couple of these would be a great choice. Heat treated to 22 BHN and large meplat http://www.beartoothbullets.com/bulletselect/index.htm
If it's for punching paper there are better choices - i.e. less $$$ but for hunting or self-defense the are the best. Check the notes for the bullets that "feed through all lever actions."

kraigwy · July 22, 2010, 09:09 PM

I shoot the same bullets in my Marlin 38/357 as I do in all my 38/357. That being 150 Cast SWCs (Lyman mold 358477). No problems encountered.

housedad · July 22, 2010, 11:46 PM

For my backpack carry, I have several 357 S&W and a couple of Marlin 1894's.

I got the 1894's jsut for the sake of being able to carry one cartridge with a rifle and a revolver.

I have handloads that put out 1450 fps muzzle on the revolver. If I go camping with that cartidge, I use 158gr JHP.

Lead, I have loaded and used Cast Round Nose or semiwads out of hardened wheel weights. Round nose feed better in the lever gun.

BTW, I have never had a decent feed in my levers with wadcutters.

riverwalker76 · July 23, 2010, 12:21 AM

Before I starting casting my own lead I bought from Dardas Bullets at http://www.dardascastbullets.com. If I remember correctly I only paid around $57 for 1k .38 cal 158 gr. RNFP lead bullets. You can't hardly cast your own for that if you had to buy the same lead he uses.

Clark · July 25, 2010, 02:10 PM

I know from shooting 45acp, 45Colt, and 44mag rifles, that a long bearing surface helps accuracy. That means heavy bullets.

July 22, 2010, 05:48 PM	#1
Eskimo Senior Member Join Date: October 18, 2008 Posts: 173	Bullets for a .357 lever-action rifle? I have a Marlin 1894SS, a Ruger SP101, and a Ruger Vaquero all in .357 mag. I already have the powder and the primers, and now I'm looking to buy a bulk 1000 pack of bullets. Lever-actions can be a little temperamental with different types of ammo, and that's my main concern. What type of bullet and what grain? I heard somewhere that you can't use full wadcutters in some revolvers. Are semi-wadcutters a good choice? I will be using the lever for deer hunting (deep brush, 80 yards or less), so I would prefer 158 grain or higher. Thanks in advance!

July 22, 2010, 06:09 PM	#2
zxcvbob Senior Member Join Date: December 20, 2007 Location: S.E. Minnesota Posts: 4,720	Best choice is a RNFP cast bullet, or a TC (truncated cone). SWC's usually won't feed well in a lever-action. You can also use JSP or JHP. 158, 160, 173, or 180 grains, take your choice. 148 grain DEWC's are probably OK in a .357 (they work in my Marlin) but will be too short when loaded in .38 Special cases. __________________ "Everything they do is so dramatic and flamboyant. It just makes me want to set myself on fire!" —Lucille Bluth

July 22, 2010, 09:09 PM	#6
kraigwy Senior Member Join Date: June 16, 2008 Location: Wyoming Posts: 11,061	I shoot the same bullets in my Marlin 38/357 as I do in all my 38/357. That being 150 Cast SWCs (Lyman mold 358477). No problems encountered. __________________ Kraig Stuart CPT USAR Ret USAMU Sniper School Distinguished Rifle Badge 1071

July 23, 2010, 12:21 AM	#8
riverwalker76 Senior Member Join Date: February 13, 2010 Location: Kentucky Posts: 993	Before I starting casting my own lead I bought from Dardas Bullets at http://www.dardascastbullets.com. If I remember correctly I only paid around $57 for 1k .38 cal 158 gr. RNFP lead bullets. You can't hardly cast your own for that if you had to buy the same lead he uses. __________________ *Admiral Isoroku Yamamoto* - “You cannot invade the mainland United States. There would be a rifle behind each blade of grass.”

July 22, 2010, 06:28 PM	#3
Eskimo Senior Member Join Date: October 18, 2008 Posts: 173	Exactly what I was looking for, thanks!

July 22, 2010, 06:54 PM	#4
salvadore Junior member Join Date: January 1, 2007 Location: Idaho Posts: 2,282	I dont own a .357 rifle so i am probably talking out my pooper. I would go with a gascheck like Lyman's 358156 with gas check. My Marlin 94 with a gascheck bullet is a tackdriver

July 22, 2010, 08:21 PM	#5
jmortimer Junior member Join Date: January 24, 2010 Location: South West Riverside County California Posts: 2,763	Is this for hunting and self-defense? If so then a couple of these would be a great choice. Heat treated to 22 BHN and large meplat http://www.beartoothbullets.com/bulletselect/index.htm If it's for punching paper there are better choices - i.e. less $$$ but for hunting or self-defense the are the best. Check the notes for the bullets that "feed through all lever actions."

July 22, 2010, 11:46 PM	#7
housedad Member Join Date: February 6, 2009 Location: Southern NJ Posts: 27	For my backpack carry, I have several 357 S&W and a couple of Marlin 1894's. I got the 1894's jsut for the sake of being able to carry one cartridge with a rifle and a revolver. I have handloads that put out 1450 fps muzzle on the revolver. If I go camping with that cartidge, I use 158gr JHP. Lead, I have loaded and used Cast Round Nose or semiwads out of hardened wheel weights. Round nose feed better in the lever gun. BTW, I have never had a decent feed in my levers with wadcutters.

July 25, 2010, 02:10 PM	#9
Clark Senior Member Join Date: December 4, 1999 Location: WA, the ever blue state Posts: 4,678	I know from shooting 45acp, 45Colt, and 44mag rifles, that a long bearing surface helps accuracy. That means heavy bullets.