Smith & Wesson Forum

Advertise With Us Search
Go Back   Smith & Wesson Forum > Ammunition-Gunsmithing > Reloading

Notices

Reloading All Reloading Topics Go Here


Reply
 
Thread Tools Display Modes
  #1  
Old 07-09-2020, 07:11 PM
38SPL HV's Avatar
38SPL HV 38SPL HV is offline
Member
Full Wadcutter loads - 357 Magnum Full Wadcutter loads - 357 Magnum Full Wadcutter loads - 357 Magnum Full Wadcutter loads - 357 Magnum Full Wadcutter loads - 357 Magnum  
Join Date: Apr 2016
Location: Northern Nevada
Posts: 1,186
Likes: 957
Liked 949 Times in 419 Posts
Default Full Wadcutter loads - 357 Magnum

...I have only old Lyman data for 357 Magnum 141 gr FB 358495 wadcutters so I used Bayou 138 gr BNWC (yes, 138 gr, not 148 gr) over 6.0 grs Unique in my SP101 2.25 inch. It shoots to sights and very accurate. No problem rolling empty gallon water jugs at 25 yds in our sand pit. Will need to chronograph them.

38 Spl +P 158 gr SWC loads always shoot high, unfortunately, in this revolver. I would prefer the 158 gr bullet. Guess I’ll settle on the 138 gr BNWC 138 gr BNWC...it is very accurate in the 357 Magnum case.

Please share your 357 Magnum full wadcutter loads.
Reply With Quote
The Following 3 Users Like Post:
  #2  
Old 07-09-2020, 07:32 PM
max503's Avatar
max503 max503 is offline
Member
Full Wadcutter loads - 357 Magnum Full Wadcutter loads - 357 Magnum Full Wadcutter loads - 357 Magnum Full Wadcutter loads - 357 Magnum Full Wadcutter loads - 357 Magnum  
Join Date: Jan 2018
Location: So. Illinois
Posts: 2,611
Likes: 1,399
Liked 3,339 Times in 1,433 Posts
Default

I like yours.
Reply With Quote
  #3  
Old 07-10-2020, 12:03 PM
mikld's Avatar
mikld mikld is offline
Member
Full Wadcutter loads - 357 Magnum Full Wadcutter loads - 357 Magnum Full Wadcutter loads - 357 Magnum Full Wadcutter loads - 357 Magnum Full Wadcutter loads - 357 Magnum  
Join Date: May 2012
Location: S. Orygun
Posts: 2,461
Likes: 1,963
Liked 1,827 Times in 987 Posts
Default

Target or SD loads? Not 357 but 38 Special; I have a load for one of my house guns. I use a "normal" cast DEWC over a max, not +P, load of W23. Accurate out to 10 yards (haven't tried any farther) running just under 900 fps, and I believe it would be effective for SD...
Reply With Quote
The Following User Likes This Post:
  #4  
Old 07-10-2020, 12:27 PM
4barrel's Avatar
4barrel 4barrel is offline
Member
Full Wadcutter loads - 357 Magnum Full Wadcutter loads - 357 Magnum Full Wadcutter loads - 357 Magnum Full Wadcutter loads - 357 Magnum Full Wadcutter loads - 357 Magnum  
Join Date: Jan 2012
Location: OVER the hill in TEJAS
Posts: 2,725
Likes: 13,107
Liked 4,339 Times in 1,773 Posts
Default

My favorite boolit for targets. I shoot the Lyman 141 bnwc with 5 grains of Bullseye in 357 brass and very accurate. I also have 148 H&G and 160 Lyman bnwc molds. I use Unique mostly in 38 cases with the same bullet. Here is a batch I just whipped up.
Attached Images
File Type: jpg DSC00499 (2)LYMAN 141-2.jpg (129.0 KB, 68 views)

Last edited by 4barrel; 07-10-2020 at 01:45 PM.
Reply With Quote
The Following 3 Users Like Post:
  #5  
Old 07-10-2020, 12:54 PM
shocker's Avatar
shocker shocker is offline
Member
Full Wadcutter loads - 357 Magnum Full Wadcutter loads - 357 Magnum Full Wadcutter loads - 357 Magnum Full Wadcutter loads - 357 Magnum Full Wadcutter loads - 357 Magnum  
Join Date: Dec 2012
Location: Michigan
Posts: 1,482
Likes: 550
Liked 1,427 Times in 666 Posts
Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by mikld View Post
Target or SD loads? Not 357 but 38 Special; I have a load for one of my house guns. I use a "normal" cast DEWC over a max, not +P, load of W23. Accurate out to 10 yards (haven't tried any farther) running just under 900 fps, and I believe it would be effective for SD...
To put a number to it, a 148 gr wadcutter with 4 gr of 231 is a top end 38 SPC load. Comfortable to shoot from my 2.75" 66. Light target WC loads will zip through gel blocks so for SD I'm not going beyond 38 standard pressure.
Reply With Quote
The Following User Likes This Post:
  #6  
Old 07-10-2020, 01:38 PM
38SPL HV's Avatar
38SPL HV 38SPL HV is offline
Member
Full Wadcutter loads - 357 Magnum Full Wadcutter loads - 357 Magnum Full Wadcutter loads - 357 Magnum Full Wadcutter loads - 357 Magnum Full Wadcutter loads - 357 Magnum  
Join Date: Apr 2016
Location: Northern Nevada
Posts: 1,186
Likes: 957
Liked 949 Times in 419 Posts
Default

...by the way, the 138 gr BNWC seating depth is nearly the same as Speer’s 158 gr SWC when loaded in 357 Magnum cases. The BNWC seating depth is less, shallower, than my 170 gr Keith SWC (loaded to 1.553” OAL per Lyman) load in 357 Magnum cases with same 6.0 grs Unique charge.

I also shot same 6.0 gr Unique charge with 148 gr DEWC using 357 Mag cases, and they too hit POA with the SP101 2.25”. A 6.5 grs of Unique behind 158 gr cast SWC also hits POA...bottom line here is that the SP101 is sighted for a 357 Magnum level 158 gr loading, which makes sense since the revolver is a 357 Magnum...geeze, I’m a stubborn German at times!

Last edited by 38SPL HV; 07-10-2020 at 01:40 PM.
Reply With Quote
  #7  
Old 07-12-2020, 04:42 AM
jc2721 jc2721 is offline
Member
Full Wadcutter loads - 357 Magnum Full Wadcutter loads - 357 Magnum Full Wadcutter loads - 357 Magnum Full Wadcutter loads - 357 Magnum Full Wadcutter loads - 357 Magnum  
Join Date: Jun 2019
Posts: 548
Likes: 228
Liked 967 Times in 309 Posts
Default

I load for a Model 52 and a custom 1911, as well as my revolvers so my goal is to find one hbwc that will work for most/all of my guns.

Searching the web offerings I found a "bowling pin" wc offered by Bear Creek--230 grains! The comments used to describe their offerings are somewhat thought-provoking and actually entertaining. Then again, I don't get out much....

Last edited by jc2721; 07-12-2020 at 04:43 AM.
Reply With Quote
  #8  
Old 07-13-2020, 11:42 AM
mikld's Avatar
mikld mikld is offline
Member
Full Wadcutter loads - 357 Magnum Full Wadcutter loads - 357 Magnum Full Wadcutter loads - 357 Magnum Full Wadcutter loads - 357 Magnum Full Wadcutter loads - 357 Magnum  
Join Date: May 2012
Location: S. Orygun
Posts: 2,461
Likes: 1,963
Liked 1,827 Times in 987 Posts
Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by shocker View Post
To put a number to it, a 148 gr wadcutter with 4 gr of 231 is a top end 38 SPC load. Comfortable to shoot from my 2.75" 66. Light target WC loads will zip through gel blocks so for SD I'm not going beyond 38 standard pressure.
I purposely don't "put a number to it" because I don't post any load data on a forum and I ignore any I see. I also strongly suggest that any load data seen on any forum, pet loads website, heard from any gun counter clerk, good intended friend, range rat or gun shop guru be ignored. For well over 40 years I have relied on published data, reloading manuals with a small portion from powder or bullet manufacturer's websites. One example why; several years ago I saw a load on a forum using Unique. The load quoted, by the forum "expert" was a full grain over max, and the load stayed on the forum for a full day before the poster corrected it (with just an "oops, sorry, my fat fingers hit the wrong key" excuse). I wonder if a newer reloader tried that load and had could have damaged his gun or worse yet, himself?

An experienced reloader has his "BS Filter" developed enough to spot bad load data, and really doesn't need load data coming from an anonymous screen name...

Last edited by mikld; 07-13-2020 at 11:47 AM.
Reply With Quote
The Following 3 Users Like Post:
  #9  
Old 07-15-2020, 02:22 AM
38SPL HV's Avatar
38SPL HV 38SPL HV is offline
Member
Full Wadcutter loads - 357 Magnum Full Wadcutter loads - 357 Magnum Full Wadcutter loads - 357 Magnum Full Wadcutter loads - 357 Magnum Full Wadcutter loads - 357 Magnum  
Join Date: Apr 2016
Location: Northern Nevada
Posts: 1,186
Likes: 957
Liked 949 Times in 419 Posts
Default

A lot of published load data out there. I rely on data for my 38/357 needs as specified by Speer, Hornady, Lyman and Handloader Magazine. I also don’t pay attention to data outside of these publications.
Reply With Quote
The Following User Likes This Post:
Reply


Posting Rules
Forum Jump

Similar Threads
Thread Thread Starter Forum Replies Last Post
Best Full Charge Wadcutter Loads Sixtogo Reloading 27 04-14-2019 09:47 PM
.44 wadcutter loads elpac3 Reloading 6 03-05-2016 11:06 PM
629PC 2.6" .44 Magnum Full Loads vs the 627pc DavyKOTWF S&W Revolvers: 1980 to the Present 12 12-18-2015 11:12 AM
.38 wadcutter loads? harvo Reloading 20 11-30-2012 11:07 PM
Full Power 158 Gr. 357 Magnum Loads 686357 Reloading 22 08-01-2010 03:38 PM

Powered by vBadvanced CMPS v3.2.3
smith-wessonforum.com tested by Norton Internet Security smith-wessonforum.com tested by McAfee Internet Security

All times are GMT -4. The time now is 12:54 PM.


Smith-WessonForum.com is not affiliated with Smith & Wesson Holding Corporation (NASDAQ Global Select: SWHC)