357 Mag 158 gr SWC & 2400 - 1,200 fps load

[38SPL HV]

Thank you forestwin, I misread who posted the great data, my apologies ("senior" moment for me!)

You have some excellent information!

Thank you

 

[forestswin]

You're welcome. Hope it helps. Please post your findings when done.

Actually, some thanks should go to Rule, he helped me tremendously as I started out.,so did many others here.

But Rule hates making spreadsheets and charts and the like.
They're Indiana's snakes and Henry's rats to him.

 

[Alk8944]

Trying to develop an "entry" level 357 Mag load at 1,200 fps with 158 gr SWC and 2400 in 6 inch barrel. Absent chronograph and using some Speer data, I come up with approximately 12.5-13.0 grs of 2400.

Eric

Eric,

I don't have any loads that match just what you are looking for, but using some data I have chronographed, and doing a bit of interpolation, I would expect to get 1200 +/- FPS from a 6" .357 with 12.9-13.1 gr. 2400. Naturally this can vary a bit gun-to-gun. This result was averaged from three different trials of three slightly differing loads shot in a 6" Highway Patrolman, all with a 158 gr. LSWC.

And for who posted: "For the 158 SWC, 1200 fps is a bit much," Maybe you should stick to commenting on a subject you know something about! 1200 FPS from a 6" .357, with this load combination, is really a fairly moderate load!

 

[Roy W.]

13.5 gr of 2400 with a Oregon Trail 158 gr LSWC using magnum primers gave me 1150 fps in a 4 inch model 66. It's all I'd want to shoot !!

 

[moxie]

"And for who posted: "For the 158 SWC, 1200 fps is a bit much," Maybe you should stick to commenting on a subject you know something about! 1200 FPS from a 6" .357, with this load combination, is really a fairly moderate load!"

Why the attitude?

 

[alwslate]

Well here we go again, same old stuff, different day. The 38 spl or
357 mag, opinions, fears etc and lots handloaders who think they want
full 357 loads until they try them and then quickly change their minds.
Why doesn't every handloader own a chronograph? Anyway here is
some data from my chronographing of the 357 in my back yard where
I don't have to deal with range rules, all with 158 gr cast SWCs.
All loads chronographed from a 4" S&W 28-2. With 2400 powder,
12.0 grs, Win mag primer vel=1228 fps ES=13 fps, 13.0 grs, Win std
primer vel=1144 fps ES=130 fps, 14.2 grs Win std primer vel=1208 fps
ES=34 fps and this is why I use mag primers with 2400 in the 357 and
now have decided to use mag primers with all 357 loads. 1200 fps is
easily reached with 158 gr cast SWCs without pushing the loads in
a 4" barrel. Try this load, 7.9 grs Longshot, 158gr SWC, Win mag
primer vel=1200 fps, same with small rifle primer vel=1198 fps. This
is from a 4" barrel and it's been awhile since I have chronographed
from my 6" mod 28-2 but loads with around 15.0 grs 2400 and a mag
primer = over 1400 fps. Yes 1200 fps with a cast SWC from a 6"
barrel is a fairly mild load. It's just that many handloaders
these days aren't used to full 357 magnum loads.

 

[ArchAngelCD]

Just two final comments:

- For the 158 SWC, 1200 fps is a bit much.

- But if you must, then Unique is a better choice than 2400. It's in the 6 + gr. range vs. 13+ gr. Half as much powder for the same zip. Save the 2400 for real magnum loads.

Actually, HS-6 will work better than both those powders but the OP specifically asked about 2400. That's why I posted the data from the Lyman Cast Bullet Handbook.

Anywhere between 9.5gr to 10.0gr HS-6 will get you there depending on the bullet you're using. I use HS-6 for middle to middle hit .357 Magnum loads especially with lead bullets.

 

[Tim357]

Using Ideal #357446 SWC, crimped in middle groove, 12.5gr 2400 in .38Spl WCC +P+ brass, I recorded 1158 fps from 3" sp101, and 1219fps in 4" 686. Now then, the air space under the bullet seated long is pretty close to the space under the same bullet seated to crimp groove in a 357 case, so results should be similar. This load is one that Skeeter Skelton used many winters ago.

As an aside, ES was 16, SD was 5.

 

[rwsmith]

Somebody mentioned 1200 fps was pushing it...

I'm assuming the OP is using hard cast bullets, not the swaged variety that are very soft.

 

[38SPL HV]

Thank you all!

 

[bluetopper]

12gr of 2400 with a cast 158gr swc is a most accurate and satisfying 357 load, especially out of a model 19 snub.

 

[Qc Pistolero]

13.5 gr of 2400 with a Oregon Trail 158 gr LSWC using magnum primers gave me 1150 fps in a 4 inch model 66. It's all I'd want to shoot !!

Sometimes,little things make a big difference.While I shoot full bore 265gr .44 Mag acurately for 50rds(offhand at 20yds in a 4 1/2 '' black with aprox 45shots in it)I must admit that a K frame .357 with full house load is also a handfull.I've had a custom grip made for my DW.44 and,if I could affford it,I'd have the same done for some of my .357.A grip that fits makes a world of a difference.
I've shot the load you describe and let me tell you Sir,in a K frame,yes it gets your full attention when you touch one off!