NOW I WANT IT TO KNOW!!! WHAT DO YOU LOAD FOR 357 MAG. JACKETED OR LEAD BULLETS?
- Thread starter Swissman
- Start date
m1gunner
US Veteran
Lead only these days. Higher velocity, lower pressures, and lower cost.
Haven't bought a jacketed slug in decades, still have most of what I bought back then.
38, 357, and 45ACP all do great with cast lead.
Haven't bought a jacketed slug in decades, still have most of what I bought back then.
38, 357, and 45ACP all do great with cast lead.
sps282
Member
I shoot lead bullets in all my hand guns mostly because its cheap and almost always available and I can cast my own when I'm inclined. I'm trying to shoot as much lead as I can before the environmentalist get it banned!
158 grn. cast lead with gas check, Speer 160 grn. semi-jacketed soft point. Use Unique or 2400. I had a few thousand of the Speer bullets which I got from the gun shop I worked for as partial payment on money they owed me.
Davwingman
US Veteran
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Recycled wheelweights because I am also cheap. Here is a batch of # 358429 I poured last week.
snowman
Member
Jacketed, for several reasons:
-Currently I use only the 125gr. screamers, and know that they won't lead the bore at 1500+ fps.
-I am about as cheap as the next guy, but I am "cheap" also with my time. This rules out casting and experimentation for me.
-I currently shoot less than a thousand rounds a year, making the extra expense of jacketed bullets affordable. I get a good deal from Zero on good bullets(last order they were 7.9 cents each).
-I dislike cleaning guns, and all the testimony I've heard here tells me that lead bullets, with their lube and all, leave more of a mess. Obviously many fellows are OK with that; I can do without it. If the other factors listed above change, I'll deal with this one.
Everyone does what suits his own situation. If I had more time for loading, experimentation, shot many thousands of rounds a year, and what not, I might join the other posters. Not until then.
Andy
-Currently I use only the 125gr. screamers, and know that they won't lead the bore at 1500+ fps.
-I am about as cheap as the next guy, but I am "cheap" also with my time. This rules out casting and experimentation for me.
-I currently shoot less than a thousand rounds a year, making the extra expense of jacketed bullets affordable. I get a good deal from Zero on good bullets(last order they were 7.9 cents each).
-I dislike cleaning guns, and all the testimony I've heard here tells me that lead bullets, with their lube and all, leave more of a mess. Obviously many fellows are OK with that; I can do without it. If the other factors listed above change, I'll deal with this one.
Everyone does what suits his own situation. If I had more time for loading, experimentation, shot many thousands of rounds a year, and what not, I might join the other posters. Not until then.
Andy
OK, OK, OK,... this is enough for me. I see where this road will "LEAD" 
I understand, that lead seems to be the favorite for most of you realoaders.
This doesn't let me look good in the private discussion, which I had since a long time.
Your answers showed me your points of view on this theme.
Thanks for this statements.
Swissman
I understand, that lead seems to be the favorite for most of you realoaders.
This doesn't let me look good in the private discussion, which I had since a long time.
Your answers showed me your points of view on this theme.
Thanks for this statements.
Swissman
parabarbarian
Member
For the hot stuff -- mostly shot from a Marlin -- I use jacketed bullets. Inexpensive JSP's for development then usually a Hornandy XTP for a working load. For more sedate loads I use copper plated bullets. These days the plated bullets are mostly Xtreme since they have an cannelure and I can get a good crimp on them.
I rarely use cast lead bullets since I shoot a lot at indoor ranges where they are discouraged.
I rarely use cast lead bullets since I shoot a lot at indoor ranges where they are discouraged.
Gman56
Member
+1 I shoot xtp dont want to clean lead out of the bore. The cost of jacketed bullets wont brake the bank!
Bottom line is that both work well, but for some of us there is an undeniable happy-factor in knowing that, if you can find the metal, you are not beholding to a far-away manufacturer for your bullets. 
David LaPell
Member
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Cast lead bullets from wheel weights are my favorite. I just whipped up a bunch of 358156 SWC's last week and yesterday some 357446 160 grain SWC's. I also have some 125 grain Hornady XTP's I loaded. I prefer lead overall. My 27-2's favorite load is those 358156 SWC's and 13.0 grains of 2400.
Am using jacketed in the 357 exclusively, as i have other calibers i use for alot more frequently for pleasure/practice. The loads are mid range 125 grainers (smaller revolvers) or full bore loads that are for the larger pistols/lever carbine.
Easier to clean barrels from jacketed, and don't have to worry about readjusting sights when switching from lower velocity lead to higher velocity jacketed.
Easier to clean barrels from jacketed, and don't have to worry about readjusting sights when switching from lower velocity lead to higher velocity jacketed.
Snapping Twig
Member
Because they work and the fact that I can make them better and customize the load, I use cast.
Monolithic solids penetrate best. A large metplat does the work.
I can do more on game and SD with a heavy cast bullet with a big metplat than I can with a JHP.
That and the fact that they're cheap.
Like me.
Oh yeah... I don't have to order them, I warm up the furnace and pop out a few hundred.
Just remembered... they're also easier on the barrel.
Monolithic solids penetrate best. A large metplat does the work.
I can do more on game and SD with a heavy cast bullet with a big metplat than I can with a JHP.
That and the fact that they're cheap.
Like me.Oh yeah... I don't have to order them, I warm up the furnace and pop out a few hundred.
Just remembered... they're also easier on the barrel.
gwpercle
Member
I go with recyled wheel-weights , in loads over 900 f.p.s. I use Lyman mould #358156, with gas check. This is a 155 gr. semi-wadcutter. Good for magnum velocites.
Why- can,t afford to buy expensive factory jacketed bullets. But I can cast them for next to nothing. Gas check solves any leading issues and I like being in control of my bullet supply.
Why- can,t afford to buy expensive factory jacketed bullets. But I can cast them for next to nothing. Gas check solves any leading issues and I like being in control of my bullet supply.
Lyman 358429 and 2400
Whether or not that combination is a match made in heaven is open to discussion. That Elmer found it to be a pretty good one in Idaho is good enough for me. It does everything I need a .357 to do. That big grease groove and making sure the bullets fit right keep it from leading. If the chamber throats are undersize, pure Linotype will lead!
Recycled wheelweights because I am also cheap. Here is a batch of # 358429 I poured last week.
Whether or not that combination is a match made in heaven is open to discussion. That Elmer found it to be a pretty good one in Idaho is good enough for me. It does everything I need a .357 to do. That big grease groove and making sure the bullets fit right keep it from leading. If the chamber throats are undersize, pure Linotype will lead!
Springfield Bob
Member
When I was shooting steel silhouette(3/8 thick) steel rams at 600 feet & had to knock the ram over I used 15 grs of 2400 pushing a Keith cast swc design bullet # 358429 wgt was 170 grs. Because of the weight of the hard cast bullet it was a tad hotter load than BLUJAXOI'S.
Mine was a RED line load but like BLUJAXOI my model 28(6in) did the job for me. I made the mistake of shooting that bullet in my model 19.
I had to use my shoe heel to pound out the empties before I ended up taking my gun to S&W ( Right down the road ) and have a new cylinder installed. Live and learn.
Bob
Mine was a RED line load but like BLUJAXOI my model 28(6in) did the job for me. I made the mistake of shooting that bullet in my model 19.
I had to use my shoe heel to pound out the empties before I ended up taking my gun to S&W ( Right down the road ) and have a new cylinder installed. Live and learn.
Bob
EdF702
Member
Check these guys out... Good prices and they have different bullets for different uses.
Missouri Bullet Company
I have used their "soft" 158 gr LSWC for .38 special and Trail Boss for light loads with no leading. I have used their .357 "action" bullets in 158 gr LSWC .358 at magnum loads with also no leading.
I hope to one day cast my own, until then, Missouri Bullet Co gets my money.
Missouri Bullet Company
I have used their "soft" 158 gr LSWC for .38 special and Trail Boss for light loads with no leading. I have used their .357 "action" bullets in 158 gr LSWC .358 at magnum loads with also no leading.
I hope to one day cast my own, until then, Missouri Bullet Co gets my money.
moonshine44
Member
Plus 1 for Missouri Bullet's "action" 158 grain LSWC. Price is right and they're accurate as well. My son uses their 125 grain truncated cone bullets for cowboy action shooting, too.
