357Mag First Time Loader - Advice Needed...

[Osprey_2012]

I will be reloading for my SW 686P 6" and 2.5" barrels.

Since I just completed building my reloading bench, got Hornady AP press setup for .357 mag and (I think) I am ready to start reloading for the very first time.

So I stopped by Bass Pro Shop and picked up a pack (x100) of WSP primer, a box (x100) of Hornady .38 Cal 125 Gr XTP, and one pound of 2400 powder. I will be bulk ordering online later.

Data from Alliant site shows: 17.5 Gr of 2400 @1409fps out of 10 in barrel. This is full load data, correct?
Alliant Powder - Reloader's Guide

I plan to load about 10 rounds and like to start with very light 357 Mag (or hot 38special equivalent).

Will 13.0 gr of 2400 work for me? If yes, can I jump to 15gr for the next 10 rounds, or is that a bit of a jump from 13.0? I am assuming 13.0 is the minimum.

Any advice and/or guidance is much appreciated. Thanks.

 

[colt_saa]

2400 is not a good choice for 38 Special performance levels, especially when loaded into 357 Magnum cases.

I probably would not load less than 14 grains of 2400 with any Jacketed 125 in a 357 Magnum case.

You will find more consistent performance right around 15.5 grains and above when using this powder/projectile weight combination. 15.5 grains will be well above 38 Special +P+ levels of performance

 

[treerat]

when you say very light loads, I dont think you want to do this with 2400, not sure how low you can go with 2400, some one else I am sure will answer that. if you want light loads a faster powder like unique, universal, red dot ect. woud make better light loads. BUT as a new loader you should wait to make light loads until you have some experience. for now just start with a starting load of 2400, just my opinion.

 

[Osprey_2012]

Thanks for quick reply. So I will start with 15.0 then. Basically, at this stage for me I am not really concern about accuracy or velocity at all. I just want to go through my very first batch of reloading and want to hear it go 'Bang' at the range then I will be happy.

Good thing you mentioned 2400 not a good choice for 38/357mag, I was just about to order 5 lbs of it online plus 3 lbs of Red Dots.

I will be reloading 44 Mag as well after this. Which powder should I get that will work for 38 special/357Mag/44mag? Thank you.

 

[Osprey_2012]

when you say very light loads, I dont think you want to do this with 2400, not sure how low you can go with 2400, some one else I am sure will answer that. if you want light loads a faster powder like unique, universal, red dot ect. woud make better light loads. BUT as a new loader you should wait to make light loads until you have some experience. for now just start with a starting load of 2400, just my opinion.

2400 is all I have now and Bass Pro Shop is an hour away.
My "light loads' means starting loads. I just want to be able to shoot 10" dia target at 7 yards at the range - this is all I care about at this point.

So what is the "starting load" of 2400? Thanks.

 

[colt_saa]

I will be reloading 44 Mag as well after this. Which powder should I get that will work for 38 special/357Mag/44mag? Thank you.

That depends on your performance requirements.

I Personally load Win 231 for LSWC target loads and H110 for full power Jacketed Magnums.

There are several powders that will work at either end of the performance spectrum but if you try and get one powder to do both, it will do neither very well.

 

[treerat]

2400 IS a good choice for 357 and 44 just not light loads, it makes good moderate to hot loads, when you what them hotter h110, win 296 are good choices. my favorite for light loads is unique, from mouse fart loads to warm 38 feeling 357's

 

[dazlin]

It sounds like you may not have studied a loading manual for this load. If not, STOP! and go do some reading. You need to understand the concept of a starting load and a maximum load for a given powder/bullet combination and how to work up a safe load for your gun.

2400 is a good powder, if you understand its benefits and limitations.

Start safe and stay safe. Do your homework first. Review what you are going to do before you do it. Then, when you have the process well laid out in your mind, go through it step by step, and check each step twice before going to the next.

What we want to see is a successful range report when you shoot your first reloads.

Good luck.
Dan

 

[Titegroups]

You need to read up on powder burn rates, from the questions you're asking we can tell you haven't. For light loads use faster burning powders, for full power loads use slower powders. Buy a faster powder and start with light loads.

 

[Osprey_2012]

As for power, I will go ahead and order 2400, H110 and W296 about 2 lbs each? I read a lot about Unique but concerned of 'smokey'. Though I might just a pound of it.

I am a bit rush into this I guess. Will step back and do some manual reading first. Really good advice dazlin and Titegroups. Thanks.

I actually have done a lot of reading on reloading data from various sites on internet and seen conflicting info eventhough the info came right from manuals - I was overwhelmed with that. I just want to get a reload recipe from those who have actually done that and wanted to stay on the starting/safe end and work my way up. Either way, I should read the manuals first.

 

[treerat]

h110 and win 296 are basically the same powder you don't need both!

 

[Osprey_2012]

h110 and win 296 are basically the same powder you don't need both!

Thanks for pointing that out.

For 9mm caliber for target shooting on 1911 pistol, which power do you recommend? Can I use 2400 or Win 296? Or should I buy another kind?

 

[ArchAngelCD]

Thanks for pointing that out.

For 9mm caliber for target shooting on 1911 pistol, which power do you recommend? Can I use 2400 or Win 296? Or should I buy another kind?

Neither!

W296/H110, 2400, AA#9, Lil'Gun and 4227 are all full powder Magnum powders. They really shouldn't be used in the 9mm.

For target 9mm loads "W231/HP-38 is a good powder. For something hotter Longshot, HS-6 and powder Pistol are all good choices.

For target .38 Special ammo W231/HP-38 is an excellent choice.

Many new reloaders make the same mistake, they try to use 1 powder to do a wide range of loading and usually end up with poor ammo because 1 powder can't do everything well. Read up on powder burn rates, pressure and velocity. That is important information you need to understand...

 

[TheTinMan]

Please get at least one printed loading manual. Lyman or Hornady would be my suggestion. You simply cannot safely rely on Internet chatter for safe load data.

Do you understand the importance of COAL in terms of pressure? Less interior case volume means higher pressure. Get COAL from the bullet manufacturer if possible because any 2 bullets with the same total weight and general description may have very different shapes or even density.

As far as safe steps for building a pistol load ladder, start at the bottom and work up in .2 grain increments. Make 5 or 10 at each step. Stop and carefully inspect the cases and primers after each step when you are at the range.

Hurry makes us worry!

 

[Whiskey_Sour]

Consider this; two conditions will really ruin your day.
1) Double charge of fast powder
2) No charge of powder (squib load)

So, what strategies can one use to avoid these? For #1, use a powder that fills the case half way or more. For #2, a RCBS lock out die like in this youtube video: RCBS Lockout Die saves my bacon - YouTube

Regardless what strategy you use, think things out very carefully and methodically, and pay attention! I'd recommend starting off with IMR TrailBoss powder and copper plated bullets like Berry's, Rainier, or X-Treme. Good low-velocity stuff that will really help out with the trigger finger flinch. That's the nice thing about reloading, you can come up with loads that are not available commercially.

 

[Osprey_2012]

Thanks Whiskey_Sour for the suggestion on lockout die. Was never aware of its existing so I'll order one.

@TheTinMan:
I purchased two manuals and just received them. Haven't a chance to read them yet.

I'll order W231/HP-38 for 9mm target loads.

Thanks all for all the invaluable advice and suggestions thus far for this newbie.

 

[Krogen]

I see lots of powder suggestions etc. You already have 2400. Try it! Don't bother buying pounds of this and that until you put a few handloads down range. A pound of 2400 will go a long way. It's quite OK to buy bullets and primers in lots of 100 until you get some experience.

But, do read some good loading manuals. Read up, my friend. If you've been firing factory .357, you won't find starting loads of 2400 objectionable. Start out with what you have. Oh, and please report back!

 

[BCDWYO]

I will be reloading 44 Mag as well after this. Which powder should I get that will work for 38 special/357Mag/44mag? Thank you.[/QUOTE]


I'm probably more of a novice than most reloaders on the forum, but I have loaded extensively for 357/38 and a few other handgun calibers...I've played around with quite a few different powders and I've settled on Unique as my go-to versatile powder that seems to perform well for my needs across a variety of calibers.

 

[Osprey_2012]

I see lots of powder suggestions etc. You already have 2400. Try it! Don't bother buying pounds of this and that until you put a few handloads down range. A pound of 2400 will go a long way. It's quite OK to buy bullets and primers in lots of 100 until you get some experience.

But, do read some good loading manuals. Read up, my friend. If you've been firing factory .357, you won't find starting loads of 2400 objectionable. Start out with what you have. Oh, and please report back!

Before seeing your post, I just now added to my Midway shopping cart based on input from this thread:

I currently have these powder (per suggestions from this thread) for pistol calibers 9mm, 38special, 357mag and 44mag)

- Win 296 4 lbs.
- Win 231 4 lbs.
- 2400 2 lbs. (already bought 1 lb yesterday)

Perhaps I should experiment with what I have on hand now before ordering these. But I feel that since I will need more different type of powders anyway for the calibers I have I might as well order them now and got this out of the way (at least was my thinking).

@BCDWYO: The reason I don't have Unique on my list was due to the report I've read about the level of smoke created from it (though I've never seen this in person) and decided not to mess with it.

 

[Neumann]

If you want light to medium loads (recoil wise), start with .38 SPL, cast bullets and a fast powder like Bullseye, Unique or W231. Do not put light loads under jacketed bullets!

2400 is a slower powder which gives excellent performance for mid to hot .357 magnum performance. It will not give consistent results in a light load.

The first time with any load, start low and work up no more than 0.5 grains at a time, and watch for signs of pressure. Do no use less than the minimum load on your chart, and do not exceed the maximum.

Don't EVER load .38 SPL cases to magnum levels! The pressure is unpredictable (usually high) compared to a larger case, and may blow up in a revolver designed for .38 SPL.

My advice - settle on a powder/bullet combination and a useful load and stick with it. If you see signs of excessive pressure, stop and pull the bullets or otherwise destroy those (and higher) loads. If you want the hottest loads for hunting or self defense, buy them from a reputable company with quality control and deep pockets.