I ran a little test yesterday in the Win 94 after the silhouette match. I shot two five shot groups with 30 gr. IMR 4198 and the undersize boolits from my new RCBS 35-200-FN. Boolits measured .357" to .358" and really need to be .002" larger to fit the rifle. Boolits were weighed and sorted. Range was 100 yds. and the rifle is scoped. The two groups both measured right at 3-3/4" which I suppose is not to bad for undersized boolits. In fact I could hunt with that out to somewhat beyond 100 yds. Velocities for the 10 shot string averaged 1957 fps with an ES of 175 fps.

Now the interesting part. The forend and mag tube are very tight on this rifle so I took everything off and shot one more five shot group. This group strung vertically and measured 6-1/4". The center of this group was also about 12" below the other groups. I don't know what to make of this. The conventional wisdom as I understand it is that a tight forend causes vertical stringing. I expected the group to be rounder. It could be the way I was holding the rifle. For the first groups I had the receiver on the bag and held the forend with my left hand. For the group without the forend I layed my left hand on top of the scope to steady it. Maybe my hold wasn't consistent. The little rifle is lively and twists a bit when fired. More testing to follow.

Marc; you should try "beagling" that mold with aluminum tape. That should give you the size you need. Tony

Hey, Tony! I'll second your suggestion on beagling the mould. I shoot this boolit in 35 Rem with very good results with about a full case of 3031 (don't remember exact charge). My boolit drops at almost .360 and shoots very well in the Marlin Microgroove barrel (first MG bbl I've ever had, too). sundog

Tony, what powder do you use in your .356? The 175 fps extreme spread I got with 4198 seems, well, extreme! I have some 2400 and might try that next.

I will probably "Beagle" the mold. I have been trying to contact the RCBS mold egspert, but he is always out, does not do email, and doesn't return calls.

I finally got to talk to Larry at RCBS on the phone. He said send it back: they will replace it. So Beagle will have to wait for the next undersize mold project. I might try it on my 7mm Saeco mold. It casts fine for my 7-08 but is to small in my TC.

Marc, not having a chronograph is a blessing - I just look for the holes in the target, and don't worry about statistics. I have used 4198, RL7, and the fast pistol powders in my 356. The best accuracy has come from 4198 and the Lyman 215 gr. SWC designed for the 357 Max, at estimated velocities around 2K. I'll check and post the load tomorrow. Tony