reloading for a 13-1

[brian45auto]

i bought this thing to shoot 357's. now after finally getting started in reloading, i've been reading posts on forum across the net.
the stories go anywhere from stay with 38spls, the 357 are too hot for those k frames, to just stay away from the hot 110gr bullet loads and it'll be fine.

so i turn to the smith people to give me the best advice.
i'm not looking to shoot max loads every weekend. but i would like middle of the road loads on a very regular schedule.
and i have bullets from 110-158 and i think there are some 18something laying around. been shooting 140's,well 50 of them so far, and kinda like them.
so what's the scoop on them?
i love the feel of it, but a diet of 38spl seems like that would suck the fun right out of it.

[brian45auto]

i bought this thing to shoot 357's. now after finally getting started in reloading, i've been reading posts on forum across the net.
the stories go anywhere from stay with 38spls, the 357 are too hot for those k frames, to just stay away from the hot 110gr bullet loads and it'll be fine.

so i turn to the smith people to give me the best advice.
i'm not looking to shoot max loads every weekend. but i would like middle of the road loads on a very regular schedule.
and i have bullets from 110-158 and i think there are some 18something laying around. been shooting 140's,well 50 of them so far, and kinda like them.
so what's the scoop on them?
i love the feel of it, but a diet of 38spl seems like that would suck the fun right out of it.

[bmcgilvray]

For a general purpose range load in .357 Mangum I like to use the cast lead 158 grain bullet with 5.0 grains of Unique, loaded in .357 Magnum cases. Depending on barrel length it should give a muzzle velocity between 850 fps and 900 fps. This is a mild load for a .357 Magnum revolver but shoots close enough to point of aim in a revolver sighted in with full power 158 grain .357 Magnum ammunition. I don't utilize .38 Special cases in my .357 Magnum revolvers. Nothing wrong with using .38 Special cases but I have plenty of .357 cases.

[john traveler]

Your M13 shares the same frame size and barrel forcing cone dimensions as that on the M19/M66 /357 Magnum revolvers. Since the K frame magnum guns have a documented problem with cracked forcing cones when subjected to maximum loads using 110 grain and 125 grain bullets, it's probably best to limit the regular use of those cartridges. Besides, the sights are regulated to fire 158 grain .357 Magnum ammunition, and this is plenty hot if you like to fire magnums. It will handle the full spectrum of .35 Special ammo with no problems.

[growr]

my standard load for my model 66,19,13,28 and 65 is a 158 grn. SWC, 6 grn'sof Unique and a standard small pistol primer and a .357 Magnum casing.Point of aim and point of impact are the same as factory in my guns. Hope that helps...
Randy

[acl864]

I like 5.3 grains of Universal behind a 158 gr SWC bullet. In my M19-5 snubby it clocks an average of 904 fps. I use this load mostly for DA practice. A little warmer than a 38 special but comfortable to shoot for long practice sessions.

[brian45auto]

so my 140gr loads are cool?
i have 50rds loaded now, that can be called hot. i don't plan on loading hot loads on a regular basis. but it is a magnum after all.
i do not have have as many 158 projectiles as i do 140's.....have a butt load of 110's but will load them in 38spl for an m10....i love the K's.

fyi i've been using universal.