900 fps .357 Magnum data?

[donbouquet]

I would like to find load data to get about 900 fps in my .357 magnums (5.5" bbl) using Starline .357 brass, 158 gr LSWC, CCI small pistol primer, and HP-38 powder. I have searched to no avail. Going to use for cowboy action shooting - don't like the slow "cat-sneeze" loads and must stay under 1000 fps per rules.
Any help would be highly appreciated!
Tex Brushpopper

[Calliope]

If you look at the Hodgdon site Set your sights on pistol reloading data | Hodgdon Reloading, they have data. Keep in mind they use a 10" test barrel, so your velocities will be lower than what they show. They also use magnum primers for their data, but with HP-38 it shouldn't matter. Looks like 4.5 grains should be safely under 1,000 fps in your revolver.

[Calliope]

Also any data for Winchester 231 applies, same exact powder.

[Magload]

Can a 900 fps load in a 357 really be called magnum? If I was the gun I would be looking for a corner to hide in or trying to find a owner that shot IDPA. Don

[edward hogan]

Why not splurge and buy a loading manual?

Lee's 2nd volume has a lot of info and includes cast bullet loading data, all for a very good price. Speer and Hornady include data for their swaged lead bullets which are very good. Then there is Lyman's Cast Bullet Guide...

Owning several good references puts you in control of your situation, always a good thing...

[clang444]

I think what you want is a stout 38 Special load, or maybe 38 Special +P.

[MichiganScott]

Hodgdon lists a starting load of 3.4gr for 796 fps and a max load of 5.0gr for 1109 fps in a 10" barrel. I'd bet that if you were willing to spend some time behind the gun yourself instead of being spoon fed the information you could find what you are looking for.

[tops]

A gun just like yours, shooting the same loads won't shoot the same feet per second. What you need is a chronograph. Larry

[Nevada Ed]

Trail Boss will only kick out around 788 fps with a 158 lead in my 6" barrel.

Bullseye will do 918 fps with no problem as well as IMR 4227.

Just a matter of getting the mix just right, with the powders that you have.
Green Dot will work for Cowboy loads also, my light load at 984 fps put 6 at 1.41" at 15 yards of a rest.

Good luck.

[growr]

Many times SASS shooters are using ,357 casings because ,38 special don;t cycle in the rifle. They also then use the very same load in the handguns so as not to have problems with which ammo for which gun.

This is not a case of trying to be wimpy, it is a case of finding what works in both rifle and handguns that is below the maximum threshold allowed for SASS.

I know many that will use that same bullet and powder combination in both rifle & handguns using 4.0-4.5 grains of powder. Works well , is plenty accurate and WILL knock down most knockdown targets.

Randy
AKA Bugler

[swamprabbit]

Using HP38 and the max charge weight for 158 gr. LSWC listed on the Hodgdon load data website I got an average of 906 fps from an 18 round string out of a 4" barrel. YMMV

[Blowncar]

I load my wife's 38/357 with 38+p's
5.4 gr of Longshot (easy to find and measures well) 158gr Berrys bullet = approx 950 fps

[alwslate]

Speer uses guns for developing load data rather than long test barrels
like some other companies do so their data is much more realistic.
Looking at data in my Speer #13 suggests that 5.0 grs HP-38 with a
158 gr SWC in 357 brass should get you very close to 900 fps out of
your revolver. I agree with the others, buy some manuals and a $99
C.E. Pro Digital chronograph.

[Biggfoot44]

I get it that OP wishes to use .357 brass , and sub 1,000 fps. 231 can do that. Probably somewhere in 4.5-5.0 range. Fine tune with chronograph ( and acceptable accuracy ). The included hint is that you need a chrono.

[STORMINORMAN]

That Hornady 160 GR Cowboy LRNFP load shown on the Hodgdon site for .357 Magnum made no sense to me, either: it shows the MAX for .357 Magnum LOWER THAN THE MAX FOR THE .38 S&W Special, and at a lower velocity!

When I contacted them I got some comment about "why would you want to lead your barrel?", but no answer to the specific inquiry re: the SAFE MAX for .357 Magnum.

I suggest you search this forum with Cowboy, Hornady, WIN 231, etc. as there are quite a few threads here about your very topic.

Working up to the desired velocity is great advice, 5.0- 6 GR ought to be SAFELY in the ballpark.