I want to shoot light smokeless loads in my 35/40 Maynard--model '82, in excellent shape.  I am very familiar with reloading and shooting many other Maynard calibers, just not this one.   The rifles groove diameter is .361.  I have a tapered bullet mold with a .362 base band, weight is 283 gr.  The usual reference books don't have loads for that bullet weight.  If anyone out there with a 35/40, has used light smokeless loads for this caliber and bullet I would like to know what has worked for you.  I am open to all suggestions.

Very good idea.  I do have a chrono. I will give your suggestion a try.  I am concerned if the longer bullet will even stabilize.  I had the experience with a 25/20 SS that will stabilize an 85 gr .258 but slam a 90 gr .258 into a 75 yard target sideways.  I have read with breech seating the bullets most suggest a small distance in (a millimeter or so) front of a loaded case.  While that seems perfectly safe with smokeless powder, how about black powder?  I have always understood no space between the bullet and black (other that a card wad, etc)?  I still hope some  one using a 35/40 would chime in with what has worked for them.

Frank, the barrel is marked 18 just in front of the forward locking lug--I believe that is the rate of twist, and the bullet is 1.13" long.  Thanks.

OK. 
The bullet seems well stabilized per target at 100 yards.  I filled case with Swiss 1 1/2 (52 gr) placed an .030 fiber wad.  Breech seated the bullet such that the loaded shell touched the base of the bullet.  Chrono says 1412 fps.   
Four shot group, that's all I loaded, made 3" without sandbags just a hand rest.  A distinct improvement over the 158 gr. .358" bullets going into 6" and more at a hundred.   
Having the entire cartridge case internal area with out any bullet taking up space should allow me to get to 1200 fps with smokeless with out any pressure issues for the action.  Starting of with a very light charge, etc.
I am still left to work out a hunting/fixed cartridge load and tuning this one for accuracy.  If any one has a fixed cartridge load for this rifle in smokeless let me know.
Thanks

I have certainly followed your suggestion with other "strong"  antique rifles like Sharps, Borchardt's, and Hepburn's.  But I have always considered the Maynard's, Ballard's, and Trapdoors "weaker" actions.  Have you tried the 10% 4759 in  Maynard with no untoward results?  I am a little "gun shy" as I have a beautiful Maynard with a slight "ring" at the front of the chamber.  I never want to ruin one of my favorite rifles.  So If you have had good safe  results with duplex loads using a Maynard it would give me more confidence to try try it.

I do appreciate your input and agree with the BP and BP duplex loads helping to prevent double charges.  I consistently shoot smokeless loads in multiple other caliber Maynard's.  But those loads are vetted in reloading manuals or by shooter's using a Maynard in the same caliber. bullet weight, etc.  Now I would consider a forged Ballard of similar strength to the Maynard, but I have never owned a Stevens. Is that a falling block design?  I understand the 44 1/2 is stronger, but how do the Maynard and Stevens 44 compare is strength?  The three major advantages to me for shooting light smokeless loads for me are clean up, no worry about space between the charge and bullet base (as with BP), and ease of making hunting cartridges.  The bullet base relative to the bullet and BP charge is what I think caused the slight ring in one Maynard's I own.  Excess pressure is the negative concern I have when working up a load for a heavier than published bullet weight with smokeless.  So maybe I need two bullet weights.  One near the 250 gr Barnes and others provide reloading data.  And the tapered 286 gr to use with BP --which for me with the first load seed to want to shoot.  I have never tried 1F in a small cartridge.  On the other hand, hearing several other permutations on making hunting cartridges with this tapered bullet, and the duplex loads you mention are attractive to try.  This week I'm watching a 4 year old grandson.  Next week I will run a few experiments and report back.