First I'll apologize for asking this question yet again! I haven't asked but many others have. Any of the threads I've read about using this combination seem to trail off into what everybody uses other than the particular combination in question and I'm sure they all work but I have 1000 Berry's Plated DEWC's and 8 pounds of Bullseye to use up. Maybe a big mistake buying that but I have it now. I prefer to use .357 cases because I have a lot of them as well. I used to shoot (30 years ago) the Speer HBWC's with 3.0 grns. of Bullseye in my 6 inch 686 and found it to be very accurate for me (target shooting only). I got away from shooting but kept all my brass and am now starting to reload again. I'll admit it's been so long ago I'm approaching this as a rookie and want to make sure I don't screw up. I bought the Berry's because they were highly recommended and I didn't like the lead left behind from the Speer HBWC.

Anyway, is there anyone using Berry's 148 grn. DEWC's with .357 cases and Bullseye powder and if so what have you found load works best? I've been told that 2.7 grns with that bullet will get you a squib by some but not by others. Not all barrels are created equal I guess.

Thanks for you patience and suggestions are really appreciated!

I have used this bullet, brass and powder combination a fair bit. I have used anything from 2.7 grains to 4.2 grains of powder. I have had very good luck with 3.0 of bullseye with both double-end and hollow-base berry's wadcutters with a 4" N-frame smith. At the upper end of that I have the bullet seated out of the mouth of the case a bit.

I'd try some at 3.0 and some with a little more powder. In a .357 case you could probably go a grain higher without any problems.

You should always watch for squibs but I'd bet a considerable sum of money that 2.7 Bullseye would never stick that bullet in the barrel of a handgun. At 2.7 and lower you will reach the point where the bullet isn't stable for very long and the powder combustion/velocities become erratic.

I almost didn't post because I get the hives when someone starts talking about some "best" without knowing the purpose or gun involved.
I dug back in my data and found I used 3.2gr of Bullseye just to see what it would do in .357 cases for 25yd accuracy. After trying different ways of loading WC, I quit using Bullseye and .357 cases altogether, since they were no better than .38 cases and HP38.
If you're asking how light you can go without sticking a bullet, I can't help you, since I never tried below 3.0gr, even in .38 cases. Too-light loads can become erratic and inaccurate.
The Berry DEWC shoot fine, but no better than my home cast Lee TL 148 lubed with Alox.

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Science plus Art

I agree with the above post. Here is what I would do and my logic ()

Alliant has a max load of 3.1 with a HBWC which is lead.(38 special.
Normally you can up a 38 special load 10% to compensate for the larger case,and plated can use lead data. The difference however is the Hollow base.

So if it was me I would load a few at the max of 3.1 BE and see and then work up if you need to,

BE is a fast powder so be sure of you loads (weigh them) as you do not want to double charge,

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Still Running Against the Wind

One of my Alliant sheets has a 38 special case full load at 3.1grs
while it has the same bullet (lead) in a .357 starting at 3.5grs of Bullsete.

I wound not go lower than 3.0 with the Berrys plated bullet but that company does have loading data.
Maybe it will list dadta for its 124gr bullet?

Later.

Thanks everyone for your input. It's not my intention to save powder, I only mentioned 2.7 grns has been reported to cause a squib with the Berry's because it wouldn't with the Speer and was thinking the plated bullet may need a bigger push but didn't know a safe place to start. I can start with 3.0 grns. and go from there. Your comments have given me some peace of mind with this. Maybe I'm getting old and a little more careful??? I'll report back when I get some results.
Jim

Better to ask first than later

I predict 3.4 grains +/- a flake

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Still Running Against the Wind

Yeah ask first is better! I should have listened to my Father when I was 18 and written everything down when I knew everything! I'll let you know if 3.4 works!
Thanks