357 target load

[deadear dan]

Got a 586 no dash I want to work up loads for. I know I can use my 38 spl 148gr HBWC/2.7 BE load but I want to only use 357 brass. Don't want to muck up the cylinder as this has only fired 357 brass. Anyone have a target load or can I just increase the 2.7 BE 10% to accommodate a larger volume? thanks.

 

[colt_saa]

That will be a VERY soft shooting load in the 586

I also only load into 357 cases.

I keep my soft swagged HBWCs for my model 14s and 52s.

For the magnum revolvers I like my target load to have a bit more recoil

I load hard cast 158 SWCs over 5.5 grains of Unique or 5.1 grains of 231.

 

[rwsmith]

I load .38 level.....

I load .38 level loads in .357 brass. For target I mainly use soft swaged bullets, WCs, hollow base and regular, and SWCs. I use hard cast for the rest and jacketed bullets only in defense training nowadays.

That's a great aspect of reloading. You can make anything bunny poot loads to the 1/4 stick of dynamite jobs and everything in between.

 

[alwslate]

These days I mostly just shoot my 38 spl plinking loads in my 357s
for light loads. But back when I used 357 brass for all loads in 357
revolvers I worked up a very accurate load consisting of a 158 gr cast
RN over 4.0 grs of 700X.

 

[JoeReed]

That will be a VERY soft shooting load in the 586

I also only load into 357 cases.

I keep my soft swagged HBWCs for my model 14s and 52s.

For the magnum revolvers I like my target load to have a bit more recoil

I load hard cast 158 SWCs over 5.5 grains of Unique or 5.1 grains of 231.

This, or 5.2 of WSF. 15 BHN lead. I'll dial it up just a tad for 180s.

 

[BLUEDOT37]

I know I can use my 38 spl 148gr HBWC/2.7 BE load but I want to only use 357 brass.

Speer #9 listed their swaged 148gr HBWC with B-E in a 357 case at:
3.0gr = 773fps
3.3gr = 806fps, from a 6" bbl.

.

 

[Rule3]

What powders do you have other than BE?

 

[STORMINORMAN]

Well, I'll jump in here and ask...

...the following question:

In the HODGDON's reloading website they show 2 loads using WIN 231 and the 140GR Hornady "Cowboy" (LFN?) for .38 S&W Special & .357 Magnum.

.38 &W Special shows MIN of 4.1 GR (@ 861 fps) and a MAX 4.6 GR (@ 980 fps)

.357 Magnum shows MIN of 2.9 GR (@ 718 fps) and a MAX OF ONLY 3.7 GR (@ 897 fps)

WHY ???????????????????

I actually sent them a question on their CONTACT US page and was told the following:

"Yes the data is low velocity with that bullet, that is what we intended to produce for the lead bullet and Cowboy ACtion was to keep it under 900 in that cartridge. I am sure it can be loaded to a higher velocity but why do that and lead your barrel up, Hornady recommends a velocity between 650 and 1100 fps with that bullet."

I was looking for info as to the SAFE MAX of WIN 231 for the .357 Magnum loading: as if it is going to "lead up" LESS in the 38 S&W Special load of 4.6 GR (@ an estimated 980 fps) than it would in a .357 Magnum loading of 3.7 GR (@ their estimated 897 fps)? What I'm really looking for is the data for a SAFE MAX load for the .357 Magnum at 1000-1050 fps. I can't believe that 3.7 is MAX published for .357 Magnum when they show 4.6 for the .38 S&W Special?

Any suggestions: I don't have a chrono yet, BTW?

 

[tjpopkin]

...the following question:

I can't believe that 3.7 is MAX published for .357 Magnum when they show 4.6 for the .38 S&W Special?

Any suggestions: I don't have a chrono yet, BTW?

It may very well be that the additional volume of the .357 brass contributes to increased pressure. I am not sure. I know that the manufacturers have done their homework….even different brass and primers will contribute to dangerous conditions.

 

[alwslate]

...the following question:



I was looking for info as to the SAFE MAX of WIN 231 for the .357 Magnum loading: as if it is going to "lead up" LESS in the 38 S&W Special load of 4.6 GR (@ an estimated 980 fps) than it would in a .357 Magnum loading of 3.7 GR (@ their estimated 897 fps)? What I'm really looking for is the data for a SAFE MAX load for the .357 Magnum at 1000-1050 fps. I can't believe that 3.7 is MAX published for .357 Magnum when they show 4.6 for the .38 S&W Special?

Any suggestions: I don't have a chrono yet, BTW?

I'll give you a suggestion, to be blunt, don't try to make
sense of the contradictions you see in Hodgdon's handgun
load data. Look elsewhere for the kind of data you seek.
It may be difficult to find a tested maximum load with 231
for a cast 140 gr SWC but I can tell you what I would do
and you make your own decision. In general powder charges
listed with jacketed bullets can be presumed to be safe with
a cast bullet of same weight and loaded to similar OAL and
give higher velocity at a bit less pressure. Speer #13 lists
a max charge of 7.1grs 231 with their 140 gr JHP in the 357
mag. I would look at that as a reasonable max charge and
choose a load accordingly. Also spend $99 on a Pro Digital
chronograph as soon as you are able to do so.

 

[M3Stuart]

I load a 158gr berry's or LSWC with 5.0gr of Titegroup or WIN231.

Not too hot, not too weak. like the story with the bears.

 

[Calliope]

Yeah, your basic 158 LSWC over 5 to 5.5 grains of medium speed powder (Universal, Unique, HP38/W231....) in magnum brass is a pleasant load in any full size .357.

If you really want a powder puff, 3.0 Bullseye under a 148 wadcutter (DEWC, HBWC) in magnum brass is fine.

I use magnum brass only in my .357s. No switching back and forth with the dies and no carbon rings in the chambers.

 

[Nevada Ed]

Both the 148gr wc and the 158gr wc make a great paper killer.
Nice clean round holes that are easy to see.....RN lead is ok.

The little 110 jacket can also ne a nice target load if you can find them........... or the plated bullets.

Any powder at starting amount will work for your needs...
have fun.

 

[OKFC05]

Any suggestions: I don't have a chrono yet, BTW?

Yes, get away from bullets and load charts made for Cowboy Action . SASS rules require soft slow bullets because they shoot steel at distances that would be considered dangerous for jacketed USPSA bullets on steel.
I do mid range loads with HP38/WIN 231 using all sorts of lead and jacketed bullets in .357 cases, and data are available. Just use regular data, not SASS loads. Lyman and Hornady books are on my shelf.

 

[STORMINORMAN]

THANKS!

I'll give you a suggestion, to be blunt, don't try to make
sense of the contradictions you see in Hodgdon's handgun
load data. Look elsewhere for the kind of data you seek.
It may be difficult to find a tested maximum load with 231
for a cast 140 gr SWC but I can tell you what I would do
and you make your own decision. In general powder charges
listed with jacketed bullets can be presumed to be safe with
a cast bullet of same weight and loaded to similar OAL and
give higher velocity at a bit less pressure. Speer #13 lists
a max charge of 7.1grs 231 with their 140 gr JHP in the 357
mag. I would look at that as a reasonable max charge and
choose a load accordingly. Also spend $99 on a Pro Digital
chronograph as soon as you are able to do so.

Thanks, exactly the info I was looking for vis-a-vis a "reasonable" & SAFE suggestion for a MAX in the .357 Magnum Loading. I'll be way down from that...

 

[sophie]

My best results shooting .357 magnum loads are with WW 296 powder.

#1---15 gr. WW 296--CCI small pistol (magnum) primers---Hornady 160 gr. FMJ---or with RCBS 162 gr. LCSWC---both loads are very accurate.

#2---16 gr. WW 296---CCI small pistol (magnum) primers---Lyman 150 gr. LCSWC bullet #358477

Mostly I favored the 162 gr. load but both were very accurate in my M27.

WW 296 is much cleaner then 2400 powder.

These are loads I worked up over 35 years ago and I haven't used any of the more modern powders for my magnum loads. I still use the WW 296 for my magnum loads.

 

[Granddad]

With mild 357 loads, I tend to get leading with swaged bullets-cast work much better for me. I use a mid 5 gr charge of 231 with 158 gr LRN to make a very mild in my old M27.