.357 - 158gr lswc load

[Warren Sear]

Since 1965. 158 gr. SWC, 15 grs. 2400. Not at home and don't have fps but thinking it's over 1400 fps in a 6 in. barrel. Over 1200 with a 2 1/2 in. barrel. Larry

15.0 grains of 2400, which I consider absolute maximum, and for N frame use only, provides 1435 fps in my Model 27-2 with 6" barrel, and 1390 fps in my Model 28-2 with 4" barrel.

I drop the powder charge to 13.0 grains for K frame use.

 

[ArchAngelCD]

15.0 grains of 2400, which I consider absolute maximum, and for N frame use only, provides 1435 fps in my Model 27-2 with 6" barrel, and 1390 fps in my Model 28-2 with 4" barrel.

I drop the powder charge to 13.0 grains for K frame use.

I didn't check that load BUT, if that load is considered safe it can be shot in any .357 Magnum which is in good operating condition. It doesn't matter which frame.

 

[rwsmith]

I'll give you MY thoughts.....

Whether the old or new data is more or less accurate, I really don't care. These loads were used without problems in strong modern guns. I have a Sierra book that lists truly HOT loads. I don't go higher now than modern published data, but I used to experiment with some hotter, but not max loads and I never had a problem. Therefore, if I had a reason, I would use older loads without qualms. Plus P ammo isn't as distinctly different as it used to be and 10mm owners are complaining that their ammo is being loaded closer to .40 mm levels. There are some old loads that are known to be dangerous, such as those in Speer 10, I wouldn't use those. Safety is everything, but I don't think old load date that was widely used is unsafe.

 

[ArchAngelCD]

Whether the old or new data is more or less accurate, I really don't care. These loads were used without problems in strong modern guns. I have a Sierra book that lists truly HOT loads. I don't go higher now than modern published data, but I used to experiment with some hotter, but not max loads and I never had a problem. Therefore, if I had a reason, I would use older loads without qualms. Plus P ammo isn't as distinctly different as it used to be and 10mm owners are complaining that their ammo is being loaded closer to .40 mm levels. There are some old loads that are known to be dangerous, such as those in Speer 10, I wouldn't use those. Safety is everything, but I don't think old load date that was widely used is unsafe.

Actually, that was Speer #8 and I agree, that book has some really hot data inside those pages.

 

[rwsmith]

That's a comfortable and.....

Back in my reloading days a 158 SWC over 13.5 grains of 2400 was the "standard" load, the equivalent of a 148 gr WC over 2.7 of Bullseye.

...'fun' shooting load, but nowhere near the potential of a .357 magnum. I got a .357 magnum because it was more powerful than a .38.

 

[rwsmith]

Speer explained in the old days.......

Could it be that some of the newer guns will not take the pressures that the N Frames will. So they dumb it down for all?

...that factory loads have to account for the 'clunkers' that are out there but the magic of reloading is that you can get the full potential from strong, modern guns and cartidges.

 

[tinkerer]

Thanks for the replies.

BTW - I shoot a Ruger OM Blackhawk & Ruger SP101 snub.

 

[AJ]

Thanks for the replies.

BTW - I shoot a Ruger OM Blackhawk & Ruger SP101 snub.

Your mention of the SP101 made me think a bit. Below is a group that I shot 14 years ago with a friends SP101. He was not doing to well with it and was blaming the snubbie for it. I shot the group below with it using .357 mag ammo, wish I could remember factory or reloads. Heck, wish I had bought the gun from him. I tend to keep good groups and this one has hung on a cork board in my home office ever since.

 

[Model19man]

Have been reloading for a 15+ years.
.357 - 158 lswc - Missouri bullet 18 brinell. Unique powder.
Lee loading manual, 2nd edition lists max load @ 6.8gr.
Newer Lee manual lists max load @ 6.0gr.
Speer manual lists max load @ 6.0gr.
Unique online load data lists max load @ 6.0gr.

Thoughts???

Here's what Hercules said in 1987. All of my Unique predates that year so the data is applicable for me.

 

[AJ]

I just looked in my "Complete Guide To Handloading" by Phillip Sharpe. He gives a loading for the .357 mag of Unique of 6.5 Grains with the 158 Grain bullet. Copyright dates from 1937 to 1953. He was in on the development of the .357 mag. in the 30's.

 

[rockquarry]

I just looked in my "Complete Guide To Handloading" by Phillip Sharpe. He gives a loading for the .357 mag of Unique of 6.5 Grains with the 158 Grain bullet. Copyright dates from 1937 to 1953. He was in on the development of the .357 mag. in the 30's.

Yes, he designed or co-designed the H&G #51, the original .357 Magnum bullet.

 

[tinkerer]

AJ - I couldn't shoot that group at point blank range...!!!

Good shooting...

 

[rosewood]

I just looked in my "Complete Guide To Handloading" by Phillip Sharpe. He gives a loading for the .357 mag of Unique of 6.5 Grains with the 158 Grain bullet. Copyright dates from 1937 to 1953. He was in on the development of the .357 mag. in the 30's.

Wow, Unique has been around that long? I had no idea.

 

[rosewood]

Your mention of the SP101 made me think a bit. Below is a group that I shot 14 years ago with a friends SP101. He was not doing to well with it and was blaming the snubbie for it. I shot the group below with it using .357 mag ammo, wish I could remember factory or reloads. Heck, wish I had bought the gun from him. I tend to keep good groups and this one has hung on a cork board in my home office ever since.

I have heard stories of someone shooting someone else's gun really well, buying it and then never being able to do it again.

Heard same thing with golf clubs.

I think there is a mental process involved. Probably a term for it too.

Rosewood

 

[AJ]

Wow, Unique has been around that long? I had no idea.

Unique was introduced in 1900.

 

[AJ]

AJ - I couldn't shoot that group at point blank range...!!!

Good shooting...

I was 58 when I fired that group. Now at 72, I find the groups opening up a bit. Thank you.

AJ

 

[raljr1]

14.5 grains of W296, a mild 357 load

 

[Warren Sear]

I didn't check that load BUT, if that load is considered safe it can be shot in any .357 Magnum which is in good operating condition. It doesn't matter which frame.

If you want to shoot that load in your K frame .357 Magnum, be my guest. I won't.

 

[ArchAngelCD]

If you want to shoot that load in your K frame .357 Magnum, be my guest. I won't.

Well then, thank you for your permission.