.357 Mag load?

[dynamike]

trying to find a load with Power Pistol. I have some Missouri Bullet 158gr. lswc and would like to load some PP. I'm thinking somewhere in the area of 6.0gr of PP. Just for some fun shootin'.

 

[Treeman]

What little .357 mag data I have for Power pistol says you could go up to 8.5 grains. 6.0 with 158 grain SWC is a .38 spl +P -----in .357 mag cases it should be a good plinker-about like a healthy .38 spl standard loading.

 

[dynamike]

that's what i was thinking treeman. just wanted to keep velocity down due to the soft lead bullet and leading. right now, i've got the same bullet loaded with 8.5 gr. aa#5 but been sorta reluctant to shoot them (possibly too hot for this bullet...brinell 12).

 

[canoeguy]

Missouri Bullet Company also offers a harder (Brinnell 18) .358 diameter bullet, their #1 Ranger, a 158 grain lead round nose flat point, made for use in lever action rifles. I shoot them through my Marlin .357 lever rifle and my Model 66, with loads that are advertised at 1000 FPS according to my loading manual. No leading, and they are very accurate. Shot some yesterday through my Model 64 at 50 yards, from a seated position I was getting 3-4" groups.

They are the same price as the softer Cowboy #11 (which is awesomely accurate in my Model 64). They are listed on their website under "Rifle Bullets"....

 

[dynamike]

thanks conoe. do you think those .357's with 8.5 gr of aa #5 will make a mess outa my m65 4"? i got 50 already loaded...would like to get rid of them the old fashioned way!

 

[Treeman]

Mike , FWIW- I can drive 12 BH bullets to 1300 fps in my Ruger Security Six with minimal leading. Every gun is something of a law unto itself in this regard.

 

[canoeguy]

Dyna-Mike...

The only load data that I have with AA powder and a 158 grain bullet is for a jacketed bullet (.357 case and loading data) show maximum at 10.0 grains with 1152 FPS. Your load at 8.5 grains would probably be around 1000 FPS or so, maybe too much velocity for a steady diet of Missouri Bullet Company #11, made for cowboy velocitys, but only you can tell by firing a few and seeing if there is leading. If there is leading, it should be removed easily by a vigourous brushing if you only fire 50 rounds.

I asked Missouri Bullet Company what velocity their soft cowboy bullets (Cowboy #11, Brinnell 12) could be pushed, they reccomended no more than 800 FPS. I have heard others use them regularly with velocity of 900 FPS or so.

That being said, I have found the MBC Cowboy #11 bullet gives the greatest accuracy I have ever found in my 4" Model 64. I further clarify, this revolver and bullet combination gives the greatest accuracy I have ever found, in any handgun, period! I load them to around 750 FPS or so with 3.2 grains Trail Boss powder in a .38 Special case., it is an accurate and easy recoiling load.

I have just started experimenting with the Missouri Bullet Company #1 Ranger, 158 grain lead round nose flat point. In .357 cases I use 5.7 grains Unique for 1000 FPS which works good, very accurate in my 4" Model 66 and my Marlin lever rifle. I find this load is flat shooting out to 100 yards, no drop in my rifle, just aim dead on. Rifle group sizes about 2" at 100 yards with iron sights.

In .38 Special cases from my 4" Model 64 I use 4.3 grains Unique for a published 853 FPS, again very accurate, 50 yard 3-4" groups shot from a rested, sitting position, arms on the knees.

No leading at all in the rifle, Model 66 .357 or Model 64 with the MBC #1 "Ranger" bullets....

 

[8Ring]

Alliant Powder's 2004 loading manual does not list any .357 mag lead bullets loads for Power Pistol However, it states that the maximum load for a 158gr jacketed soft point is 8.0 gr at 33,800 psi.

That said, reducing the charge to 6.0 grains (25%) for a lead bullet is probably safe Call Alliant and see if they have any suggestions.

BTW, for .38spl +P, Alliant lists 4.9gr Power Pistol under a 160gr jacketed soft point as the maximum load. (17,300 psi).

Chris

 

[Treeman]

8 ring, Alliant's old data for .38 special is some of the most ridiculous, non-performing data ever published. I remain mystified as to how they ever got the pressure readings they show with the charges and components listed, and the velocities had nothing in common with real revolvers. If you check Alliant's current data you will find that it matchs Speer data(They are both now owned by the same parent company) and it shows 6 grains of Power Pistol as max 38+P with a 158 grain lead bullet. I have loaded that,(technically I actually loaded 5.9 grains) miked case expansion and chronographed that load. Everything reads as expected. A real load that delivers advertised performance.

 

[dynamike]

i think that i may just shoot those .357s i have loaded. i haven't had any lead issues in the past with that m65...or any handgun i own. and i know that i've some rounds really cooking down the barrell! in fact, i have more of a leading problem with cheap bulk store bought .22lr ammo. i think my next batch of .357s and this bullet will be loaded with pp.