357 mag loads report, more

[duckloads]

Well, thanks to advise from the board, I ditched the 158 gr lswc loads with 2400 in my 686, 8-3/8. The problems were unburnt powder and then with an increase in charge to clean up the powder, I had to drive cases out of the cyl. Also, the increased loads were the worst accurace that I've shot. I pulled the 20 rounds I had left.

So, I bought a box of 158 gr Speer jsp. I loaded 15 with 14 gr of 2400 and 15 with 7.3 gr Unique. I shot at 15 and 25 yards. Patterns for both didtances were about the same. The unique loads shot nearly 1" better for each distance. Case extraction was NOT a problem with either load. WOOHOO!

The best 5 shot group I had was 1-1/2 inches at 25 yards with 3 holes touching. This was with the Unique load. Now that's more like it. I'm starting to really like this little rifle. I'll pick up a jug of AA #7, when I can find a reasonable price. My local pusher has a lb for $31. I told them to keep it.

Figuring out this 686, long tube is finally starting to be fun. I have some yoke / end shake issues to adress, and that's being taken care of. A new friend, sndbggr1484, over on the gun smithing board is sending me a new yoke and screw.

Thanks to all.

[buck460XVR]

I load more remmie 158 SJHPs with 7.4 grains of Unique than all my other cartridges put together. It shoots very well outta both my 6'' 686 and the 20'' carbine. They're relatively cheap to load, accurate, easy on the gun and easy on the shooter......and a pound of Unique seems to last forever. Whenever I take a new shooter to the range with the .357s, it's the first load I let them shoot.

My 686 seems to prefer H110/W296 or Lil' Gun over 2400 when it comes to true magnum loadings..... with H110/W296 proving to be the most accurate with 158s, and Lil' Gun with heavier bullets. My best results with 2400 were using 14.5 under the 158s.

[Kirmdog]

Sorry I don't have any loads for jacketed bullets in the 357 mag, all I shoot is lead out of my Mod 28's and 66.

I also buck the trend and use a Herco load out of an old Lyman manual for all my 357 loads with 158 gr. SWC or the 358429 Lyman. The 358429 load is near max in the old Lyman manual and gives me 1200 fps out of 4 and 6 inch barrels and excellent accuracy from all the guns I have used it in. While I have used 2400 and Unique in the 357 in the past I now use exclusively Herco and never experiance the problems that you stated in your other thread.

Kirmdog

[OKFC05]

After I tried 296 under 158gr JSP, I quit using anything else in my 8" 686. AT&T load: reach out and touch.....

[canoe on the yukon]

With a 158 gr Speer JHP,I've had excellent results with 16.5 gr of W296.In years past,I used 15.0 gr (sometimes 14.5) of 2400.Mag primer w/296.....standard primer w/2400.

[Vanilla Gorilla]

Originally Posted by Kirmdog

Sorry I don't have any loads for jacketed bullets in the 357 mag, all I shoot is lead out of my Mod 28's and 66.

I also buck the trend and use a Herco load out of an old Lyman manual for all my 357 loads with 158 gr. SWC or the 358429 Lyman. The 358429 load is near max in the old Lyman manual and gives me 1200 fps out of 4 and 6 inch barrels and excellent accuracy from all the guns I have used it in. While I have used 2400 and Unique in the 357 in the past I now use exclusively Herco and never experiance the problems that you stated in your other thread.

Kirmdog

I just found a nice load using a lot of 2400 and the same bullet, short-seated to work in my N frame.

It drops just shy of 180 grains, and it's stepping out at 1350fps. That's respectable anywhere, I think.

[Kirmdog]

Originally Posted by Vanilla Gorilla

I just found a nice load using a lot of 2400 and the same bullet, short-seated to work in my N frame.

It drops just shy of 180 grains, and it's stepping out at 1350fps. That's respectable anywhere, I think.

VG;

The old Lyman #44 manual shows a schosh more velocity with Herco than you get with 2400. I never loaded to the max with Herco because I found I got good accuracy with a few grains less and found that for me Herco was burning cleaner than 2400 at less than max loadings.

You are right though that the 358429 moving at 1350 is very respectable (and at 1200 too)! I also seat that bullet short and crimp on the front driving band because of the short cylinders on my Mod 28's. A great bullet at a good velocity and it just plain works well for almost any application. I have always found the 358429 to shoot good out of any gun I have tried it in weather it be a 38 Special or 357 mag.

Kirmdog

[fredj338]

I prefer a good cast 158grLSWC to jacketed any day. The issue is proper alloy, size & a good lube. Most commercial cast LSWC are pretty poor choice. Start casting your own & you'll find equal accuracy to the jacketed in most revolvers.