I tested some rounds today using 220gr FN and H4895 in my pre-crossbolt marlin.
I was very happy with 33gr and 33.5gr.
Using the factory sights I shot a 1.5" and 2.5" group. Very huntable. (Thanks to BamaGrad for the dies!)I just love the feeling get when I find a load that works!

Now for questions...

All my load development before today has been with a scope. Even on my "scopeless" AR's I mounted a scope for load development and then removed it and went back to flip up's or red dot's.
Those of you that develop loads using Marlin type factory sights, is there anything you do other than shooting more rounds to ensure you didn't just "get lucky"for 3 or 5 rds?

Those of you that load for 35rem, is there a powder that you have found provides more velocity while providing great accuracy? I'm happy with the accuracy of H4895 but according to Hodgdon's data, it provides the most velocity in their line up. Am I chasing something that's pointless?

Thanks!

3031. AA2520 is a "sleeper".35 powder.Groups? shoot enough to be happy with groups.

I have 3031. I'll give it a shot. I don't have any AA2520. Thanks!

Thanks for the shout out CKyleC. I'm still waiting on those deer pics when you shoot one with one of your loads.

It's happening this year!

3031 and Varget are good and a little faster maybe. Maybe 2100 with 200's. I like 200's personally. If the gun likes what you already found I don't know that I would worry about a couple hundred feet per second.

That's what I'm leaning towards... leave well enough alone

Good luck getting your deer!

This is what the LeverEvolutions do for me at 100 yards. I doubt I can get the accuracy and velocity out of handloads these give.



The deer don't like them much either
I will eventually handload for it but it's so hard to find tube magazine compatible bullets in .358.

Nice buck for sure.

Paper ballistics are one thing... visual damage is another.

I've shot about everything I or anyone else can think of in my lifetime from light and fast to way overkill for whitetails and I'm a believer in .35 calibers for the distances we typically hunt. My experience is IF they aren't DRT there is usually little question which way they went.

Odocoileus, if you are having a hard time finding good flat point bullets for your .358 caliber lever I suggest you go to Hawkbullets.com and just scroll down the home page. It will list all the bullets it produces by diameter, I would think you should pick the flat point ones that have a jacket thickness of .30 for your lever, that way you will get the expansion you want with out just punching a pencil hole in the game. I started using Hawk back in the early 1990's when Winchester stopped making the Winchester 375 in a 250 grain flat point for my Marlin lever, have been very happy with the results. They really make a great and reliable product, they are not cheap, so if your looking for something to just shoot and punch paper it will get pricy with Hawk, but for hunting you will be hard pressed to find a better bullet.

By the way, nice looking deer, bet he didn't go far huh.

Thanks for the tip nitro, I'll check them out. Nah he made it about 30 yards. I hit him a little bit back as he was chasing a doe and it was a now or never shot, otherwise I don't think he would have moved.

Have been looking for some bullets to shoot suppressed .45/70 that I can reliably acquire, that are jacketed, that are not bonded and are over 400 grains. Most of the big stuff are either cast or bonded.

I'm gonna give Hawk a shout. Looks like they have some options.

Yes Hawk has three or four wall thicknesses for the 45/70. I would give them a call to see which one they think would work on a suppressed firearm, much will depend on the velocity.

I talked with them and they are on point. They said they could even do a custom bullet (3 box minimum order) and could pull back the jacket for me so expansion might be a little better.

Can't beat options like that from a vendor.

Yup, that's why I use them for my go to for my special needs, they have not let me down ever.