True Blue load data missing for 357 Magnum

ike1518 · Oct 8, 2022

I recently discovered True Blue powder for the 38 Special and I wanted to load 158 SWC bullets for the 357 Magnum. Though there is no data for 357 Magnum loading True Blue on the Hodgdon website I have True Blue 357 load data from Western Powder Loading Guide 8.0.

Now that Hodgdon owns Ramshot powders are they no longer recommending loading 357 Magnum with True Blue for some reason?

John Patrick · Oct 8, 2022

I found it in Western Powders guide googling “true blue powder load data.”

https://accuratepowder.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/09/WesternLoadGuide1-2016_Web-1.pdf

And in this one, which is the current version, I think.

https://ramshot.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/08/WesternPowdersHandloadingGuide8.0_WEB.pdf

Nemo288 · Oct 9, 2022

Here's the extracted data from that last source:

Ramshot Trueblue 357 Magnum 6" bbl WSPM Win brass

.....bullet...........start..vel...stop..vel.....psi.....COAL
110 HDY XTP .....11.3 1475 12.5 1639 33160 1.570
125 HDY XTP .....10.4 1325 11.5 1472 30750 1.580
125 BARNES XPB .7.0 1109 ..7.8 1232 33500 1.585
125(L) LC FP .......7.7 1246 ..9.1 1414 34872 1.575
140 SIERRA JHC ..9.3 1250 .10.3 1389 33580 1.575
158 HDY XTP .......8.6 1132 ..9.5 1258 34700 1.590
158(L) LC SWC ....8.8 1176 ..9.8 1307 32210 1.590
180(L) CP WFNGC 7.6 1046 ..8.4 1162 33000 1.550
187(L) CP FNGC ...6.3 .929 ...7.4 1063 34387 1.600

Sorry for all the ....
The forum interface suppresses extra spaces making it hard to duplicate tables.

ike1518 · Oct 9, 2022

Thanks all for the data, but what I would really like to know is why Hodgdon does not list True Blue under their 357 Magnum reloading data.

ArchAngelCD · Oct 9, 2022

ike1518 said:
Thanks all for the data, but what I would really like to know is why Hodgdon does not list True Blue under their 357 Magnum reloading data.

With all the data available from Hodgdon, Winchester, IMR, Accurate Arms and Ramshot it's very hard for them to list it all on their site.

It's not that Hodgdon doesn't recommend True Blue any longer, they just make the choice to list the powders that will give what most reloaders are looking for, high velocity. They have so much data now they don't need to list all the faster powders in Magnum cartridges unlike when Ramshot listed their data. Ramshot had only a few powders and they wanted you to have all the options available for their limited product line of only 4 handgun powders much like when Winchester was separate from Hodgdon.

Of course this is just my take on it because I have no inside information. It sounds like it's a good reason and probably correct.

ike1518 · Oct 9, 2022

ArchAngelCD said:
With all the data available from Hodgdon, Winchester, IMR, Accurate Arms and Ramshot it's very hard for them to list it all on their site.

It's not that Hodgdon doesn't recommend True Blue any longer, they just make the choice to list the powders that will give what most reloaders are looking for, high velocity. They have so much data now they don't need to list all the faster powders in Magnum cartridges unlike when Ramshot listed their data. Ramshot had only a few powders and they wanted you to have all the options available for their limited product line of only 4 handgun powders much like when Winchester was separate from Hodgdon.

Of course this is just my take on it because I have no inside information. It sounds like it's a good reason and probably correct.

Thanks ArchangleCD,

Your response seems reasonable and I appreciate your input!

Cheers.

mtgianni · Oct 9, 2022

I have the Western Powders manual. There are several loads in it that the powders are not on Hornaday's site for that cartridge. One of the stories is that the powder engineer retired from Western when the company was bought and Hornaday no longer supports that data. It isn't that it isn't safe just not a trail they can follow back to their sources.

ArchAngelCD · Oct 10, 2022

I posted this a while back but I think I should repeat it in this thread.

On the Hodgdon site they have a page named "Branded Merchandise" under Products. On that page they are selling the Western Powders Guide which is a full size load manual that used to go for $34/$35 if I can remember correctly. They still have them for only $4.99 and it's real because I bought one a while back. If you want the original Ramshot load data that is the book for you. It is the one and only Western Powders Manual ever put out. (the $4.99 manual, not the 99¢ booklet)

mtgianni · Oct 10, 2022

ArchAngelCD said:
I posted this a while back but I think I should repeat it in this thread.

On the Hodgdon site they have a page named "Branded Merchandise" under Products. On that page they are selling the Western Powders Guide which is a full size load manual that used to go for $34/$35 if I can remember correctly. They still have them for only $4.99 and it's real because I bought one a while back. If you want the original Ramshot load data that is the book for you. It is the one and only Western Powders Manual ever put out. (the $4.99 manual, not the 99¢ booklet)

This is a quality manual that might have been worth the $35 if you shoot any of the old Western Powders; AA, or their own brands.

ike1518 · Oct 10, 2022

ArchAngelCD said:
I posted this a while back but I think I should repeat it in this thread.

On the Hodgdon site they have a page named "Branded Merchandise" under Products. On that page they are selling the Western Powders Guide which is a full size load manual that used to go for $34/$35 if I can remember correctly. They still have them for only $4.99 and it's real because I bought one a while back. If you want the original Ramshot load data that is the book for you. It is the one and only Western Powders Manual ever put out. (the $4.99 manual, not the 99¢ booklet)

Thanks for the information - I ordered a Western Powders Guide this morning.

ArchAngelCD · Oct 10, 2022

I'm glad I could help and pass on the information.

Paul in Nevada · Oct 10, 2022

ArchAngelCD said:
I posted this a while back but I think I should repeat it in this thread.

On the Hodgdon site they have a page named "Branded Merchandise" under Products. On that page they are selling the Western Powders Guide which is a full size load manual that used to go for $34/$35 if I can remember correctly. They still have them for only $4.99 and it's real because I bought one a while back. If you want the original Ramshot load data that is the book for you. It is the one and only Western Powders Manual ever put out. (the $4.99 manual, not the 99¢ booklet)

I bought it based on one of your previous posts. Thanks.

Nemo288 · Oct 10, 2022

$5 for a full sized loading manual is the deal of the century.
The shipping is even free too!
I am picking one up too even though I think I have an electronic version.
Makes the library just that more impressive

Thanks for the tip!

Now if Hodgdon would accumulate and sell primers the way they do powder ...

STORMINORMAN · Oct 12, 2022

I certainly concur, for what THAT'S worth...?

Always can use a new good book: something to write in that doesn't get lost, misfiled, falls out on the floor with the other dozen (or so?) notes, etc.

Cheers!

gwpercle · Oct 12, 2022

ike1518 said:
Thanks all for the data, but what I would really like to know is why Hodgdon does not list True Blue under their 357 Magnum reloading data.

Use the data you have in your Western Powder Guide 8.0 .
True Blue is still a good powder and the data from Western is still viable .
Whoever writes / sets up Hodgons Reloading Data Center needs to go do something else for a living ... the site is terrible .
Limited data with Limited Powders and Limited bullets ...
they only give data on what they want you to see and ignore the rest ... I stopped going there for Data ...
Hang onto and use your Western Reloading & Data Guides ...
I managed to get Editions 5.0 , 6.0 and 7.0 before they were sold to Hodgdon's ... I wish I had edition 8.0 ... I ordered it but it hasn't arrived and I don't think it will ,,, Keep Yours and take care of it .
I much prefer the Westen Powders Loading Guides to Hodgdon's screwed up load data center ... it's messed up !
Gary

SMSgt · Oct 12, 2022

No source of reloading data covers everything.

38SPL HV · Oct 18, 2022

Spoke with Hodgdon again today…they still say that True Blue load data under 8.0 Western Manual for its 158 gr LC SWC is still valid. They also told me that a few months ago…they also advised that they are still “migrating” data from 8.0 to its on site reloading data center.

I’ve had success with True Blue in 357 Magnum, less so in 38 Spl…

ArchAngelCD · Oct 19, 2022

38SPL HV said:
Spoke with Hodgdon again today…they still say that True Blue load data under 8.0 Western Manual for its 158 gr LC SWC is still valid. They also told me that a few months ago…they also advised that they are still “migrating” data from 8.0 to its on site reloading data center.

I’ve had success with True Blue in 357 Magnum, less so in 38 Spl…

Yeah, as for the .38 Special and Ramshot powders, IMO Zip is much better suited for that cartridge. Actually, Zip is a lot like W231 in performance for the .38 Special.

MDF4 · Oct 19, 2022

ArchAngelCD said:
Yeah, as for the .38 Special and Ramshot powders, IMO Zip is much better suited for that cartridge. Actually, Zip is a lot like W231 in performance for the .38 Special.

Thanks ArchAngel, I've seen ZIP on the shelf years but never considered using it for 38 loads. I've been using TruBlue and W231 for 148g LCWC and LCSWC and no longer load +P and Magnum as these old wrists don't react well to the increased recoil. Certainly can't complain on the ZIP price... hundred bucks for four pound jug.

38SPL HV · Oct 19, 2022

ArchAngelCD said:
Yeah, as for the .38 Special and Ramshot powders, IMO Zip is much better suited for that cartridge. Actually, Zip is a lot like W231 in performance for the .38 Special.

W231 is still my go to powder for 148 gr DEWC and 158 gr SWC 38 Spl standard velocity loads (not +P)…I really only shoot standard velocity in my j frame…

I find that shooting a single action (ie Ruger Blackhawk) with its grip design helps with minimizing pain in my forearm as the recoil impulse rolls in my hand upon shooting as opposed to a straight line push back into the forearm as it does with double action revolvers. I always preferred single actions for my “bigger” loads….

True Blue load data missing for 357 Magnum

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