.357 Reduced Pressure Loads.

[clayshooter]

I'm planning on shooting IDPA PRACTICE with a newly acquired 627-5 PC (8) shot, .357. I've thought of shooting 38's but am turned off by the carbon ring buildup and what may develop. After reviewing reloading manuals I find certain loads develop substantially less pressure/velocity. Anyone have any +/- comments on the pressure reduced loads.

 

[Dale53]

I have shot and will continue to shoot a lot of .38's and .357's. If you really want to shoot .38 level loads in your .357's and don't wish to "fight the carbon" you can just simply load slightly more powder in the .357 case to the velocity level you desire. I would use a chronograph to match the velocity of my .38 Special load. If you don't have access to a chronograph, then just use a good loading manual (or three) and pick a load.

My favorite source for these kinds of loads is Hodgdon Powder Co.:

Cartridge Loads - Hodgdon Reloading Data Center - data.hodgdon.com

They even have 148 gr Hollow base wadcutter loads. Just keep in mind that the velocities that Hodgdon shows are taken in pressure barrels which typically give higher velocities than you will obtain in a revolver with the barrel-cylinder gap. The upside is that they have complete pressure data. It is best to observe their minimum loads as well as their maximum loads.

Good luck and good shooting!
Dale53

 

[TSQUARED]

I'm planning on shooting IDPA PRACTICE with a newly acquired 627-5 PC (8) shot, .357. I've thought of shooting 38's but am turned off by the carbon ring buildup and what may develop. After reviewing reloading manuals I find certain loads develop substantially less pressure/velocity. Anyone have any +/- comments on the pressure reduced loads.

I use Trail Boss with 158 gr. lead or plated bullets. Data on Hodgdon's website - Hodgdon - The Gun Powder People.

 

[OKFC05]

After reviewing reloading manuals I find certain loads develop substantially less pressure/velocity. Anyone have any +/- comments on the pressure reduced loads.

Take it from a long-time IDPA revolver shooter, you do NOT want to try to use "low pressure" loads with slow powder for IDPA. Better to keep the pressure up around a .38 +P level.
Get you some HP38/231 or Titegroup and load to about 130 PF from your gun. I use plated .38 Berry 158gr to avoid the smoke from lead bullet lube. I suggest you use .38 cases to make reloads less of a cussing session, but that's up to you. A Brownells "tornado brush" easily removes the lead/carbon ring from the chambers, especially if used as part of regular cleaning.
You realize you can only legally load 6 in IDPA, of course?

 

[Missionary]

Good morning
I have shot 158SWC with 4 grains Unique for near all my reloading life. I still do. It is as mild as any 38 Special load. It will thump bunnies! I have used many cast bullets with this loading. JUST be sure NOT to use HARD cast and be sure your bullets are at least .001 MORE than the cylinder throat diameters to get a good seal. I cast my own .002over throat of near pure lead.

 

[valkyriekl]

I've recently tested 3.9gr AA#2 and 4.1gr W231 behind a swaged 158gr LSWC flat-base bullet in .357 Magnum cases and found their felt-recoil and accuracy to be comparable to my usual .38 Special: 3.6gr AA#2 behind the same swaged 158gr LSWC flat-base bullet in .38 Special cases.

 

[Titegroups]

I shoot a lot of .357 cases with 5 grains of titegroup in them under a 122g LFP bullets, about 1000 fps from 6" barrel from chronograph. They are a bit smokey, bullet lube on lead bullets burns up upon firing, titegroup generates a lot of heat when fired because of high nitroglycerin ratio I believe. The cases come out very hot. Plated bullets may be a good solution. Berry's makes some good quality plated bullets, I've used them in the past. I would stick with light bullets to keep the recoil down for faster recovery time shot to shot. Trail boss may be helpful also, bit more expensive, sold in 9oz. containers that are the size of 1lbs. bottles.

 

[buck460XVR]

I shoot bulk 158JHPs loaded with 7.2 grains of Unique outta both the .357 M92 Carbine and my 686. Accurate and mild. Shooting them in the carbine is like shooting a .22 mag.

 

[ArchAngelCD]

I've found over the years if you use the MAX .38 Special load data in a .357 Magnum case you get a easy shooting round. BUT, like said above, if you're practicing for IDPA you'll want to keep the loads up near those you will shoot in the match. I suggest starting with the load data you usually use in your .38 Special cases and increasing the charge in the .357 Magnum case until you achieve the same velocities... I also agree W231/HP-38 would be a good powder choice.