.357 Bullet questions

[Jeff423]

I was cleaning out a drawer and found some bullets I'd gotten with some vintage stuff a few years ago and forgotten.
First: 158 gr. gas checked bullets. Is there anything I need to do differently with these or just load them as normal cast bullets?
Second: 125gr JHP. It seems like I keep reading bad things about them and forcing cones. I plan on shooting them in my 28-2. I have Tite Group, 700x, 231, Bulls Eye and Universal. Are any of these preferred or should be avoided?
FWIW: I've got about 75-100 of each.
Thanks

 

[sjmjax]

I believe the issue with the 125 grain bullets applied to hot loads shot in an older K-frame.
Potential for cracking the forcing cone because of the undercut barrel in this model. Doesn’t apply to N-frame guns.

 

[Nevada Ed]

If you are worried about the revolver, just look up loads that push
the 125 gr bullet at around 1250 fps.

They work great for all my general shooting sessions.

 

[stansdds]

I'd treat the 158 grain gas checked bullets same as hard cast lead.
The issue with the 125 grain bullets is when driven to full power velocity using slow burning ball powders. For us reloaders, that means H-110 and W-296. Faster burning powders will not produce 1400+ fps velocity, but will not erode the forcing cone like H-110 and W-296.

 

[Yendor357]

Get a Marlin 1894 357, and you can shoot those 125 without a care. I’ve heard they’re devastating on vermin. There. I’ve given you a perfectly good reason to buy a new gun.

 

[Chuck Edwards]

I burned a nice trench across the top strap of my 27-3 using max loads of Titegroup with 125s. I'd go with a starting load of Universal in .357 brass for those bullets.

 

[Jeff423]

Thanks for the info.

 

[ACES&8s]

I know your concern has merit. I bought a whole reloading outfit from a friend a few of years ago during the ammo depression and he had got it from another guy, well it had about 1,500 = 357 and 38 calibers already loaded and looking at the specs per their loader they were loaded in 1986.
Mostly 158 grain gas check at what I best remember was maybe 950 fps.
I tried about 5 rounds, and they all sounded weak, then one only went like 50 yards, so I ended up pulling all of them.

 

[rwsmith]

If you are loading....

...target velocities I'd use the Bullseye, Titegroup or 700-X. Medium loads I'd use the 231 and for medium to warm I'd use the Universal.

 

[TIMETRIPPER]

I've used 158 gr gas check bullets at near max loads of 14.5 gr of 2400. Shot them out of a couple of model 28s and an 8" 27. They also worked great in a Rossi 92 lever gun.

John

 

[mtgianni]

Make sure that the cast bullets still have a good amount of lube in the groove. I have shot some with voids and they do OK but any major gaps could cause leading.

 

[gwpercle]

The gas checked cast bullets you can load just like plain base cast bullets ... the little copper cup on the bullet's butt simply offers some protection from hot gases ... you can load them +1000 fps if you want too but they work well at any velocity and keep the lead out the bore .

The 125 gr. JHP get a bad reputation when loaded with large amounts of hot burning powder at Maximum pressures ...
Load them at mid-range velocity and pressures and they will do no harm to the forcing cone .
Load Safe,
Gary