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  #1  
Old 04-13-2011, 12:32 AM
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Default Mild 357 loads

I use the H&G 51GC bullet in my Ruger Security Six 357; it's a 158 gr SWC bullet with gas check. For business loads I use 14.5 grs of W231 powder. But now I'm looking for a softer load, about 3/4 or 2/3 throttle. Anyone have a good one that gives nice accuracy? I'd prefer the following powders: Unique, AA#5, or 2400.
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Old 04-13-2011, 01:18 AM
alwslate alwslate is offline
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14.5 grs of W231 powder with a 158 gr SWC in the 357 mag? I don't think so.
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Old 04-13-2011, 02:44 AM
Steve C Steve C is offline
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14.5grs of W231 would just about guarantee a KB as that's over 2X maximum load listed by Winchester. Are you sure you don't mean W296?

For a lighter load try 6.0grs of Unique which should be just north of 1,000 fps in most 4" revolvers.
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Old 04-13-2011, 10:38 AM
RidgwayCO RidgwayCO is offline
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At a computed 155,900 psi, I'm thinking that load's not favorable to long-term use...
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Old 04-13-2011, 10:59 AM
chingachkook chingachkook is offline
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Because I have used the 14.5 grain load of 2400 under the 158 grain bullet in my 686 and Marlin 1894C I'm pretty sure Cyrano made a (W231) typo in his OP.

Cryano, I have also used 5.5 grains of Unique and between 11.0 and 12.5 grains of 2400 for softer shooting and very accurate loads in the 357 as well.
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Old 04-13-2011, 11:17 AM
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The OP started the thread yesterday. Maybe he shot his 14.5g 231 load and can't type anymore?

The above is intended as a joke...sure hope it isn't true.

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Old 04-13-2011, 11:56 AM
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For nice mild loads try YTrail Boss powder. The reloading data is on the Hodgdon website - as I remember my load was ca 3.7 ggr. Trail Boss with a 158 gr. LRN bnullet.
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Old 04-13-2011, 01:32 PM
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i like and use the 11-12.5grs. of 2400 (as stated) with the 158gr. swc easy to shoot all day.
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Old 04-13-2011, 01:44 PM
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I use 5g W231 under such a bullet in a magnum case for a nice .38Spl +P duplicate load. I'm quite sertain you could go to 6g if you wanted more zip, but there's better powders for that, like Unique.
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Old 04-13-2011, 01:52 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Dave T View Post
The OP started the thread yesterday. Maybe he shot his 14.5g 231 load and can't type anymore?

The above is intended as a joke...sure hope it isn't true.

Dave
It's OK it was in a Ruger! Also a poor attempt at humor. Surely it's a misprint/mistype
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Old 04-13-2011, 03:16 PM
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Default A mild .357 load

I have been reloading isnce 1970.
A mild .357 load is a .38 Special load above 700 fps.
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Old 04-13-2011, 06:20 PM
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Default Magnum Lite

158 gr. LSWC
12.0 gr. 2400 or 6.4 gr. Unique
I use Meister bullets. Be aware that these hard-cast bullets may lead the barrel at lower velocities.
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  #13  
Old 04-13-2011, 07:06 PM
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A Ruger can take it-don't know about these Smith's.
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Old 04-13-2011, 07:12 PM
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In spite of the W231 Typo I would suggest using HS-6 for a good middle-hot .357 Magnum load.
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Old 04-13-2011, 09:08 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by 91B40 View Post
158 gr. LSWC
12.0 gr. 2400 or 6.4 gr. Unique
I use Meister bullets. Be aware that these hard-cast bullets may lead the barrel at lower velocities.
I loaded 100 of those with 12.5 of 2400 today. Going to "dispose: of them tomorrow.
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Old 04-13-2011, 11:22 PM
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My face is RED. Double Oops: I meant 14.5 grs of W296. Are those reduced loads suitable for regular primers? I use magnum primers with 296.
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Old 04-13-2011, 11:37 PM
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I've done a 14.0gr charge of H110 behind a 158gr Hornady XTP that is surprisingly mild in my 327 TRR8 (I use small pistol magnum primers with it). According to my Hornady manual, that should be good for somewhere in the 1200fps neighborhood- plenty powerful enough to do most anything, mild enough to not beat you all up in a full sized gun.

But that may be not as mild as you're wanting.
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Old 04-14-2011, 12:43 AM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Cyrano View Post
My face is RED. Double Oops: I meant 14.5 grs of W296. Are those reduced loads suitable for regular primers? I use magnum primers with 296.
Glad to see you are OK

The only powder I use SP mag primers is H110/Win 296. That's why I like 2400, it can be reduced more and does not call for Mag primers. As others mentioned Unique will do the job with less powder and regular primers.
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Old 04-15-2011, 10:02 PM
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One of my most accurate 357 loads in my 686 is 11.5gr 2400 under 158gr X-treme plated RNFP bullet.
Mild but very accurate.
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Old 04-16-2011, 12:43 AM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by alwslate View Post
14.5 grs of W231 powder with a 158 gr SWC in the 357 mag? I don't think so.
Thinking the same thing. Rugers are tough but...

I see some people go even lighter than I do with the 2400. Lightest I've gone is 12.6gr under a 158gr boolit. It's still got some pop tho, and hits POA @10yds out of my 6" M28.

I like to load 4gr of Green Dot under a 158gr cast SWC in a magnum case with a light taper crimp. It's essentially a .38+P without the worry of a carbon ring.

Quote:
Originally Posted by Dave T View Post
The OP started the thread yesterday. Maybe he shot his 14.5g 231 load and can't type anymore?

The above is intended as a joke...sure hope it isn't true.

Dave
When I was fairly new to reloading I almost rolled some 2400 loads with Bullseye.

That is why I never have more than one can of powder on my bench at any time. Also justifies my stocking only 3 types of powder. I can say KISS, but in reallity I'm just cheap and lazy.

Last edited by Fishslayer; 04-16-2011 at 12:56 AM.
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  #21  
Old 04-16-2011, 02:57 AM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by ISOM View Post
I have been reloading isnce 1970.
A mild .357 load is a .38 Special load above 700 fps.
I agree. For plinking or trying to hit small game with my 357s,
all N frames, I use light loads with fast powders and cast
bullets in 38 spl. brass. These and full power loads in 357
brass seem to cover most needs. Hard to see a real purpose
for midrange, ( 1000fps?) loads in a 357 revolver. Your load
of 14.5 grs 296 isn't really all that hot. 16 grs 296 with a 158
gr cast bullet yields about 1280 fps in my 4" 28 and about
1350 in my 6" 28.
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  #22  
Old 04-16-2011, 06:43 PM
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My favorite middle-hot load is a 158gr LSWC over 9.2gr HS-6. (give or take a few grains)
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Old 04-16-2011, 07:23 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by ArchAngelCD View Post
My favorite middle-hot load is a 158gr LSWC over 9.2gr HS-6. (give or take a few grains)

AH now look what you finally have done. Your gonna make me try and find some different powder. After all these posts on HS-6 I need to try it out.
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Old 04-16-2011, 08:09 PM
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I've shot thousands of rounds loaded with a cast LSWC 158 grainer loaded with 6.0 grains of Unique and a standard primer in .357 Magnum brass and have only seen poor groups in one revolver- S&W 65-6.(Darn thing only liked HOT 110 to 140 grain loads) Tack driver in my GP-100, 586, 27-2, Taurus 605, and decent in my Security Six and Blackhawk.
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Old 04-16-2011, 10:47 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by OCD1 View Post
AH now look what you finally have done. Your gonna make me try and find some different powder. After all these posts on HS-6 I need to try it out.
You won't be sorry, especially with lead bullets. Just remember, HS-6 is a hard to ignite Ball Powder so it performs much better with a Magnum primer and up near the top of the pressure curve.
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