158 grain 357 commercial cast bullets

[dogdoc]

Anybody have any suggestion for some accurate loads with the standard coated commercial cast 158 grain bevel base bullets that most of the bullet makers sell? I cast my own flat base and gas check 357 bullets and have no problems getting those to shoot 1.5 inch 6 shot groups at 25 yards but for the life of me I cannot find a good load with that bevel base bullet in 357 or 38 special for that matter. I run out of time to cast with my work and find myself buying those bullets. I tried some midrange loads with #5 and power pistol this afternoon but got patterns at 25 yards with a 27-2 and a 686. I am looking for 2 inches or less at 25 yard. Anybody done that with that bullet? Interestly, I got great accuracy in my 57 41 mag with a coated bevel base bullet with unique. Thanks

Dogdoc


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[fredj338]

If the bullets are a good fit for your revo, load some over Unique. If they wont shoot, someting isnt right. Most commercial cast are far too hard for light to midrange loads. I think flat base have a slight accuracy edge but it is slight,

 

[ArchAngelCD]

I get good accuracy with 4.0gr W231 under a 158gr LSWC bullet using a CCI-500 primer. These are shot in several revolvers including a 4" M686, 4" M10, 2" M36 and a few others. The M10 just loves this load!

The bullets are ~12 BHN.

 

[dogdoc]

If the bullets are a good fit for your revo, load some over Unique. If they wont shoot, someting isnt right. Most commercial cast are far too hard for light to midrange loads. I think flat base have a slight accuracy edge but it is slight,

I think you are correct. Unique just seems to produce accurate loads across the spectrum in spite of its less than stellar metering. Same with 2400.


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[dogdoc]

I get good accuracy with 4.0gr W231 under a 158gr LSWC bullet using a CCI-500 primer. These are shot in several revolvers including a 4" M686, 4" M10, 2" M36 and a few others. The M10 just loves this load!

The bullets are ~12 BHN.

Is that in 38 special brass?


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[cowboy4evr]

For years I shot 5.0 grs of Unique using a commercial cast 158 gr bullet loaded in 38spl brass , usually bevel base with complete satisfaction . Give it a try , I think it will give you what you are looking for . If it don't , there's a problem with your gun , cylinder throats too tight , barrel to frame junction has a tight spot etc . Good Luck , Paul

 

[LoboGunLeather]

Ditto on the 5.0 grains Unique, standard primer, 158SWC, .38 Special case. Excellent performer in every revolver I've used over the past 46 years of reloading.

For .357 magnum case (and revolver) I like 6.5 grains Unique. Accurate and controllable.

 

[dogdoc]

Ditto on the 5.0 grains Unique, standard primer, 158SWC, .38 Special case. Excellent performer in every revolver I've used over the past 46 years of reloading.

For .357 magnum case (and revolver) I like 6.5 grains Unique. Accurate and controllable.

Will load some tonight with unique and group this weekend

 

[Nevada Ed]

I have used several brands of 158 gr lwc style factory bullets over
the years in my M19 and 686, both with a 6" tube.

I did not have any trouble getting them to group and with may powders, even with the bevel base and blue lube band, out of the long 357 case.

Bullsey at 918fps
Red Dot with a max load..... no chrony back then.
Trail Boss at 788fps
Green Dot at 1281fps
CFE at 1173fps
Unique at 1133 & 1320fps
HS6 at 1108fps
SR4756 at 1151fps
IMR4227 at 976fps.

You just need to find out at what fps a powder runs, for your revolver
to like it's speed for an accurate loading.

My 686 did not do well with w231, Universal, 800x or Blue Dot.

Don't give up, just go shoot MORE !!

 

[BLUEDOT37]

I tried Acme's 158gr L-SWC-NLG-HT (no lube groove, Hi-Tek coated), with a BHN:16. The base wasn't beveled, but it wasn't totally square, slightly rounded IIRC.

They shot good in my M686 & M327TRR8, both 5" bbls. using:

Unique @ 6.6 & 7.0grs

CFE-P @ 6.3 & 6.5grs.

Green Dot @ 6.3grs

all in 357 cases with CCI-500 primers & 1.615" COAL

Your results may be different.

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Nice wooden boxes too.
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[dogdoc]

Thanks

I will try some of these this weekend


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[ArchAngelCD]

Is that in 38 special brass?


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I'm sorry, yes, .38 Special brass.

 

[rwsmith]

Heavy, soft bullet...

I get good accuracy with 4.0gr W231 under a 158gr LSWC bullet using a CCI-500 primer. These are shot in several revolvers including a 4" M686, 4" M10, 2" M36 and a few others. The M10 just loves this load!

The bullets are ~12 BHN.

A heavy, soft bullet seems to be the place to start for target loads. And a light charge of powder worked up to the magic load.