But haven't you heard?? If you quadruple charge with Bullseye you will blow up your gun!!
357 magum reloading
- Thread starter kd5exp
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But haven't you heard?? If you quadruple charge with Bullseye you will blow up your gun!!
Try higher charges. I started with 9 of 2400 as that was the data I found...that also listed 11.5 as max and I kept coming across posts and articles shoting 15, 15.5 and a few even higher and thought that was nuts - till I got a couple of older reloading books.
There is no easy answer - the 'best advice' is to use 'published data' of course, but it's also 'use the most recent book' and we've all seen many of them have much lower max loads than books from 20,30 40 years ago.
The additional challenges I'm facing is I want to load for a rifle...very little 357 or 38 info out there for rifles. And using a lead bullet...can you push them to 1500, 1800 FPS? No solid answers to that one. And I have no desire to try and delead a 16 inch lever gun barrel!
There is no easy answer - the 'best advice' is to use 'published data' of course, but it's also 'use the most recent book' and we've all seen many of them have much lower max loads than books from 20,30 40 years ago.
The additional challenges I'm facing is I want to load for a rifle...very little 357 or 38 info out there for rifles. And using a lead bullet...can you push them to 1500, 1800 FPS? No solid answers to that one. And I have no desire to try and delead a 16 inch lever gun barrel!
Thanks, Prof, I've already cooked next batch with 14 gr of 2400. BTW your challenge is partially addressed in Lyman (I have 49th edition) they have 357 loads specifically for rifle. There are quite a few combos for 1700+ fps with jacketed bullets, for casted they only have recipes for 155 & 170 gr bullets. Max load with H110 exceed 1700 fps for both of them. I can list loads here but you would have to verify it anyway 
EDIT: Just checked Lee's manual - also quite a few recipes for 357 rifle. H110 at max pushes 150 cast bullet to 1807 according to it.
EDIT: Just checked Lee's manual - also quite a few recipes for 357 rifle. H110 at max pushes 150 cast bullet to 1807 according to it.
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Maximumbob54
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But haven't you heard?? If you quadruple charge with Bullseye you will blow up your gun!!
Yeeeeeeaaaaaah.... I try not to do that....
Later on down the road if you start to load regular JHP bullets
for the magnum , you might want to look at the Hornady 140gr . It is a favorite bullet for high velositys and gets good accuracy in a lot of .357 revolvers in our area and for those that shoot at the local range,here.
It is also easier on the gun than the full load 110 and 125gr bullets at 1450 fps plus and works with a lot of powders. Works great on paper and every now and then on a Nevada "Yote" that gets too close.
for the magnum , you might want to look at the Hornady 140gr . It is a favorite bullet for high velositys and gets good accuracy in a lot of .357 revolvers in our area and for those that shoot at the local range,here.
It is also easier on the gun than the full load 110 and 125gr bullets at 1450 fps plus and works with a lot of powders. Works great on paper and every now and then on a Nevada "Yote" that gets too close.
Did another batch today with 14 gr of 2400. That load did feel like 357, however I think it was still lower than factory loads, but paper was just as dead and no unburned powder left in cases. Have my "is it normal" question of the day though While cleaning I've noticed speckles of lead from the barrel (nothing around forcing cone), so is it normal to have some lead coming out of barrel during cleaning (as I've said just few speckles, but could notice some "shine" on patches) ?
While cleaning I've noticed speckles of lead from the barrel (nothing around forcing cone), so is it normal to have some lead coming out of barrel during cleaning (as I've said just few speckles, but could notice some "shine" on patches) ?
Maximumbob54
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You have leading in your barrel.
Figured that much
I guess I could be more specific. Is this leading preventable ? Should I be concerned about small amounts of leading ? Hoppe's Premium should take care of that stuff, right ?doc540
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Lewis Lead Remover kit is handy
Maximumbob54
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Too hard bullets at too low pressure, too soft bullets at too high pressure, too hard lube at low pressure, too soft lube at too high pressure, just not enough lube, bullets too skinny for cylinder throats/forcing cone/bore, base of bullets uneven, bullets damaged during reloading process, or probably a combo or a few other things are all possible.
Let the bore soak for at least thirty minutes with the Hoppes and then use a bronze bore brush and that should get it. You can also buy pure copper Chore Boy scrubbers and cut bits of copper mesh to wrap around the bronze brush and that will really get it out. That's kind of a poor man's Lewis Lead Remover but the real kit is pretty nice. A tight fitting jag with a cloth soaked in CLP will also get a lot of lead out. There are any number of tricks but those are mine that I use.
Let the bore soak for at least thirty minutes with the Hoppes and then use a bronze bore brush and that should get it. You can also buy pure copper Chore Boy scrubbers and cut bits of copper mesh to wrap around the bronze brush and that will really get it out. That's kind of a poor man's Lewis Lead Remover but the real kit is pretty nice. A tight fitting jag with a cloth soaked in CLP will also get a lot of lead out. There are any number of tricks but those are mine that I use.
Fishslayer
US Veteran, Absent Comrade
Somebody told me that if a revolver didn't shoot well with that load there was something wrong with the gun. It's now my go to Big Dog with XTP or Nosler hollow points. It's not really close to maximum but is stout enough and pretty accurate.
I've gone as low as 12.6gr of 2400 under a 158gr bullet & wasn't overly happy. 2400 tolerates downloading but there are limits.
Figured that much
No, there really is no solvent short of an acid that will dissolve lead, Elbow grease and good brushes, chore boy or Lewis lead remover. Brush with a new bore brush dry and a lot of lead will come out.
Skip Sackett
US Veteran
I'm telling you, I KNOW an easier way!
all357mag
Member
GOOD LUCK! Looks like you're gonna' need it.
BruceM
Member
I'm trying to figure out why anybody would taper crimp full power .357 Magnum loads. .38 Special wadcutters or even wadcutters in .357 magnum cases are one thing but these. The roll crimp is needed to help prevent the bullets from jumping the crimp in full power ammo which would preclude the use of bullets with no cannelure or crimping groove in magnum ammunition. Also, there should be no problem loading .357 magnum cases with .38 Special dies. I wonder if the expander is long enough for these bullets and especially, do you have a seating plug which fits that bullets nose profile correctly?
The "speckles of lead" are probably speckles of unburned 2400. Barrel leading will be visible in streaks or smears and is usually caused by bullets that are not the correct size, not properly lubed or too soft. Hard bullets will not lead the bore if you get the other two things correct.
Bruce
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