.357 Mag SWC/WC loads

[acl864]

I'm trying to get a little better with my M19 w 2.5" barrel. Looking for some loads on the medium to warm side for double action self defense/combat shooting. I'll be using Tennessee Valley Bullets 148 gr. BBWC or 158 gr. SWC (both about 12 bhn)- magnum primers and either Bullseye, SR7526, Unique or W231 powders. Any pet loads out there you're willing to share.

 

[acl864]

I'm trying to get a little better with my M19 w 2.5" barrel. Looking for some loads on the medium to warm side for double action self defense/combat shooting. I'll be using Tennessee Valley Bullets 148 gr. BBWC or 158 gr. SWC (both about 12 bhn)- magnum primers and either Bullseye, SR7526, Unique or W231 powders. Any pet loads out there you're willing to share.

 

[musicmanbass]

I like Bullseye in the medium-warm range of 357, but most folks I hear like Unique. HP38/W231.

Check your load manuals (I don't have mine at hand) but I think I settled on something like 6.3gr of Bulleseye under a 158gr lswc. Nothing fancy, just a nice load. Definitely not as hot as most factory magnum stuff, but hotter than 38+ps.

I don't know that I've ever really tried to push 148gr wadcutters beyond 38+p levels really.

 

[duckloads]

I like TVB's. I use them in .45colt with 5gr Trailboss and 8 gr unique. I get very little if any leading, but my velocities are around 700-850fps.

Now, I tried 10 gr unique under the 255gr SWC's to shoot out of my 460XVR. I coated the muzzel brake with lead. I'm talking a thick coating, not just plating. The bullets keyholed WHEN they hit the target at 25 yds. They were all over the place.

The moral of the story is be carefull trying to drive those bullets to fast. Load up a few at a time and see what happens. I loaded a freaking box /50. Now I have 30 left to pull apart. but then again, it might just be my gun.

peace

 

[mike from st pete]

My pet load is 158LSWC in R-P magnum brass filled with 5.2 grains of WIN231 set off by Winchester small STANDARD pistol primers. Not too hot not too soft.

 

[acl864]

Thanks guys. Those loads look like some good ones to try. I'll hopefully get some good weather this weekend to work some of those up.

You know, I don't think I've ever really tried to heat up a WC beyond 38+P either. I've got plenty of WC's in stock and there is load data available. Might be a good summer project. I'd think a 148 gr. DEWC at about 900-1000 fps would be a fun thing to shoot.

I hear you loud and clear Duckloads. My reloading shop and my 50' pistol range are both in my backyard. When I'm trying new loads I usually load 7 at a time- go shoot 1 inspect for pressure signs if OK shoot the other 6- then either load more or make changes and repeat the process. I love living in the country.

 

[jibjab]

I like Bullseye behind 158gr LSWC with stnd. primers, for my Ruger Sec. Six w/a 2.75" barrel. A BHN of 12 may limit how hard you can push them.

 

[acl864]

Good point jibjab- the bullets I've got on the shelf might not be well suited for the hotter loads. Might have to get some harder WC's for my project.

 

[musicmanbass]

Originally posted by mike from st pete:
My pet load is 158LSWC in R-P magnum brass filled with 5.2 grains of WIN231 set off by Winchester small STANDARD pistol primers. Not too hot not too soft.

I like the sound of that load, so I loaded up 100 mag cases with 5.2gr 231 under a 158gr Hornady LSWHCP last night. It'll probably be next week until I can try them, but I'm excited!

 

[acl864]

I loaded and shot some test loads today. I used the 6.3 gr.Bullseye load and the 5.2 gr. W231 load that were posted. I also loaded 6.0 gr. Unique and 5.4 gr. SR7625. All were loaded with Winchester brass ,CCI Magnum SP primers and TVB 158 gr. LSWC- OAL 1.605"- moderate crimp (1/3 turn after first contact with a Lee FCD).
What I was looking for were loads that shot lead bullets accurately and had some recoil to more closely approximate my SD jacketed bullet loads. All of these loads filled that bill. I liked the SR7625 load the best, the Bullseye and W231 loads shot a little low, and the Unique load was a little less accurate, but I've decided I REALLY need a chronograph. It's sort of a subjective opinion without any data. All of these loads worked well enough that I may come back and try them again with a different gun or a different SWC or RN 158 gr. bullet.

 

[David LaPell]

I use 6.0 grains of Unique under my 170 grain (#358429) bullets. Great load, averages about 1,050 fps. A piece of advice, make sure your brass is at trim length so your loads won't be too long for your cylinder. Haven't tried lighter bullets yet, these work so well.

 

[terrier]

Have shot a lot of 6.0 grs Unique under 158gr swc. Good stout load. I did find shooting indoors it is real smokey so I have some W231 now. My partner shoots that right beside me and it is a lot less smokey. Both shoot good.

 

[acl864]

I think the 6.0 Unique load may work better for me in my M19 with the 6" barrel. I didn't get the accuracy I was looking for with the 2 1/2" barrel- or maybe it was just me- due to the cold weather I haven't had much practice lately. I have a chronograph coming in from Midway so I plan to try all four loads again at some point and record some velocities for them.

 

[mike from st pete]

Musicman,
I hope you have the same luck with the load as I do. My wife even shoots that load in my 686 and finds it to be acceptable. She usually uses the 60 in range sessions. This also keeps the grime ring down in the magnum revolver and clean up is a snap.

 

[zercool]

158LSWC over 13.0gr of 2400 with small pistol primers (not mag).

Definitely has some zip but doesn't kick too hard. Haven't chrono'd. No pressure signs.