I’m finding it difficult to obtain 357 Magnum loads using 148 gr hard cast 148 gr DEWC. I do have old Lyman data which has a max of 8.5 grs Unique with 358495 Wadcutter (141 gr).

I have approximately 1k hard cast 148 gr DEWC which I want to put to good use.

My goal is to get approx 1,050-1,100 FPS from a 4 5/8 inch Blackhawk with the 148 gr DEWC...I’m not interested in target velocities (I have a 38 Spl for that purpose).

I’m think of starting at 5.5 - 6.0 grs of Unique and the 148 gr DEWC using new 357 Magnum cases.

Appreciate your inputs with type of powder recommended. Thank you all.

If output is close to linear 5.5 grains should put you in the ball park, you can adjust from there. Per an old Alliant load manual 3.3 grains behind a 148 grain wadcutter runs about 775 ft/sec and 6.4 grains runs about 1465 ft/sec out of a 5.6 inch barrel.

I have collected a good amount of data for what you are working on. When I get to my files I will let you know what I have been able to find and date and source.

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M629-4PP M686-4PP M617

Lube may be the defining factor here. What you want to get and what the bullets were designed for may be different. Hard cast and wadcutters are rarely used in the same sentence. If the lube fails causing leading you may be able to roll them in Lee liquid alox or a similar product to get higher velocity.

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Front sight and squeeze

My old Lyman data maxes out at 7.9 Unique for the 358495 cast with Linotype alloy (5.8 start).
Old RCBS data shows 6.7 to 7.2 Unique with a cast DEWC, no alloy specified.
One nice thing about cast DEWC's with crimp grooves is they have the same seating depth and the same bearing surface as a cast 158 LSWC.
( I have used data for cast 158 LSWC for the 148 DEWC, as long as the alloy and lube are correct)

Would like to hear how that 1,100fps lead "Flat nose" works out.

If it does well at 25 and maybe 50 yards if you can test at this longer yardage, with the poor BC design.

As well as if the bullet fit, after 50 rounds or more might lead up the barrel any?

Good shooting.

POWDER START FPS MAX FPS PSI BULLET COL

BULLSEYE 5.7 1475 34,000 148 LWC 1.330 ALLIANT 2002 RG

700X 5.1 980 34,800 Speer 148 gr Lead WC 1.420 IMR HL Guide

RED DOT 4.6 1300 33,600 148 LWC 1.330 ALLIANT 2002 RG

GREEN DOT 5.1 1310 34,000 148 LWC 1.330 ALLIANT 2002 RG

PB 5.7 1010 35,400 Speer 148 gr Lead WC 1.420 IMR HL Guide

UNIQUE 5.8 960 14,600 7.9 1289 40,300 358495 141 grn 1.435 Lyman Cast HB#3

4756 8.5 1215 35,600 Speer 148 gr Lead WC 1.420 IMR HL Guide

HERCO 6.7 1510 33,900 148 LWC 1.330 ALLIANT 2002 RG

BLUE DOT 9.6 1134 21,800 11.2 1382 40,600 358495 141 grn 1.435 Lyman Cast HB#3

800X 8.3 1215 35,500 Speer 148 gr Lead WC 1.420 IMR HL Guide

2400 10.5 1015 18,200 14.6 1376 39,700 358495 141 grn 1.435 Lyman Cast HB#3

IMR 4227 12.3 1084 22,200 16.3C 1365 39,600 358495 141 grn 1.435 Lyman Cast HB#3

4227 15.0C 1185 32,700 Speer 148 gr Lead WC 1.420 IMR HL Guide

I have included where the info comes from so I recommend definitely checking my work. Hope that helps. IMR Handloader Guide 11/89 and IMR Smokles Powder Reloaders Guide April 2004

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M629-4PP M686-4PP M617

Thank you RedHawk357Mag for the information! I’ll load some up with 6.0 grs Unique. Should be a good load for my Ruger SP101 as well.

I saw a video on youtube where a target load wadcutter from a snubnose revolver zipped through 18" of gel. Any reason to need more than say 800 fps unless you want to shoot plumb through a bear?

I have a decent collection of reloading manuals. The highest velocities appear to be from Bullseye or Unique. They are within 10 FPS of each other (1475 and 1465 respectively). You can find the data via the Alliant or Lee manuals.