semi wadcutters from a levergun

T

TheBear

New member
I never used semi wadcutters with my marlin 1894C .357mag, i`d like to give some copper plated ones from H&N a try, problem is my gunstore is only selling them in boxes of 500. Will semi wadcutters feed properly in my levergun? I only used truncated cone projectiles in the past.

Are semi wadcutters a good choice for huntig?
 
My Rossi 92 feeds SWC's just fine, however, from what I understand, it really depends on the individual rifle. Anyone around you have a box you could try 1st?
 
Try a box of 158 grain factory LSWC, or JSWC ammo. A box of ammo should cost less than 500 bullets, and if they do not work then that is all you are out. If they do work then it confirms it. Buy 500 then shoot them. Though I cast mine. Could not tell you how they work in a lever gun I am now working on the funds to put one on lay away when the LGS gets one on the shelf.
 
I've had mixed results with my Marlin; it seems to depend on the manufacturer of the bullets. Federal and Bitterroot Valley cause no issue, but Remington catches and shaves horribly. I don't know why; I've checked the feeding, the ramps, the cartidge length, but I always end up with a lot of lead shavings after several rounds of Remington. So I just don't shoot Remington anymore:)
 
I loaded some .38 sp. with LSWC and they actually fed better than .38 sp. with LRNFP in my 1894. Not sure what would happen with .357 length ammo.
 
The back edge of the barrel on a marlin has a nice sharp edge. The sharp shoulder of a SWC will tend to catch on the sharp edge of the barrel.

I shaped a round grindstone to fit through the action after the bolt was removed and put a very small radius on the back of the barrel on my 357 and 44 mag rifles. SWC bullets feed as smooth as jacketed hornaday XTP rounds.

To make the grindstone I used a round stone from the army/navy store with a quarter inch shaft. It was a little too big so I mounted it in a drill and spun it against the wheel on my bench grinder till it would fit the bolt port on the rifle.

I had an old metal fishing arrow that had an open seam down the side. The inside diameter of the arrow was just under a 1/4" and when forched in it had a tight fit. I cut the shaft to about 8" long. I chucked it in a drill and spun it on the back of the barrel just enough to make a very small radius. Just enough to break the sharp edge. That was all it took.

You will need to take the gun apart first and clean it well from dust afterward. An air hose works wonders here.
 
depends

Rifle to rifle.

I ran a mid-range 158 LSWC load through my Marlin for quite a few years, matching load to a revolver.

It seemed to vary from manufacturer to manufacturer. Some SWC were longer and blunter and gave trouble. Others had smaller cones and less abrupt sholders and fed fine.
 
How do the copper plated bullets hold up to rifle velocities?

My 44 mag will tear them up at high velocities. The rifles should push them harder. No?
 
When I lived in Ohio, we ran a butt load of 429421's (Keith SWC's) through my friends 94 with no issues whatsoever. Dunno why a 38/357 would be different.
 
I shot some of the swc`s yesterday, the feed just fine. thnx for all the answers.

How do the copper plated bullets hold up to rifle velocities?

My 44 mag will tear them up at high velocities. The rifles should push them harder. No?
Click to expand...

I used copper plated TC bullets for velocitys up to 1457fps (shot from my marlin 1894c .357 and clocked with a shooting chrony). Never had any problem though. Those H&N bullets are pretty tough, german engineering...
 
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