38/357 questions

[rickn1]

Howdy all. I need some advice. I have successfully re-loaded long guns in the past with no issues but the pistol scene is new to me. I currently own a 38/357 S&W 13-2 with a custom 6 inch heavy barrel. Nice shooting little gun, with factory ammo.
I mainly just do indoor range shooting, and was wondering about some nice start-up loads, here's what I have.

Powders, Bullseye and HS-6
Primers, Small pistol
Bullets, 125 grain Remington SJHP ( lots of them)

I'm not finding much data on the REM. SJHP bullet.
Should I treat it the same as a jacketed bullet??

The .38 should not be a problem, but in .357 I'm kind of stumped, should I be looking at fast or slow burning for the big boy or what?

Would the small pistol primers be OK for reduced loads in the .357 given the powders I have on hand.

Looking for some input here folks. Thanks. ...Rick...

 

[arjay]

No experience with that bullet,but if its jacketed,use jacketed data for a bullet of the same weight and you'll be very close.Magnum primers only need to be used where the "recipe" actually calls for one.The majority of my magnum loads use standard primers.

 

[thomasinaz]

Greetings Rickn1; Bullseye is a faster burning powder and HS6 is medium burning. There should be load data listed on Alliant's and Hodgdon's web sites for a 125 gr JHP bullet. The bullets you have listed are pretty standard for JHPs in 125 grain. For magnum loads I would go with the medium burning HS6, you already have, or a slower burning powder. I've had good results with Alliant 2400, if you use a good tight crimp it will burn more completely with the light bullets you have.

 

[TAROMAN]

HS6, being a "ball powder" is harder to ignite than other types.
Many shooters report better results loading it with magnum primers.
That has been my experience with HS6, but in 9MM rather than .357.

 

[scooter123]

I recently shot a box of Speer 125 grain SJHP 357 Magnum loaded at 1150 fps in the Blazer Brass line at a 50 foot indoor range and was PELTED by debris from the bullets. That same session I was testing some hand loads featuring a 125 grain Hornady XTP FP at about 1350 fps and didn't get hit by anything. Note, there is an distinctly obvious difference in the appearance of the 2 bullets and it's visually obvious that the Hornady bullets have a much thicker jacket. In fact the Speer bullets look a lot like the copper washed bullets found with many brands of 22LR ammunition. IMO the Speer bullets really aren't suitable for use in a Magnum load and this is probably why the Blazer Brass ammo featuring this bullet is loaded so mildly.

I've never been real impressed by Remington's bullets and suspect that what you have are likely similar to Speer's 125 grain "Plinkers", which is how they are labeled in Speer's loose bullet lineup. I would advise you load them really lightly and if you are shooting at a 50 foot or shorter range you should probably think about using a face shield. Because even with safety glasses on getting smacked with a fragment square in the forhead does sting a bit and does draw a bit of blood. BTW, I was shooting all by myself when this took place so I can't blame the debris on anyone besides myself and my choice of ammo for "feed" cases.

BTW, I have four 100 count boxes of the Speer Plinkers and since shooting the same bullet in that Blazer Brass I now consider these plinkers as 38 special only bullets. I was hoping they would prove to be a less expensive option to the Hornady bullets and was wrong. Right now if I'm going to load a Magnum round I'll spend the money for either Hornady or Nosler.

Final note, while I don't hold Remington's bullets in high regard that isn't the case for Remington Brass. In fact with every caliber I reload I've found the Remington brass to be the easiest of any brand I've used to work with and the most consistent.

 

[Steve in Vermont]

I've loaded many of those Rem 125 gr SJHP with BE powder. I loaded 4.5 gr but would not go any lower. The max is 5.3 for +P so anywhere in that range should work. Obviously SPP. I switched to 231 with 4.8 gr and that works as well, and is not as dirty. Never tried either powder for .357.

 

[Will2]

It looks like you're all set for 38. Since you have plenty of 125 jacketed bullets, I'd just concentrate there.

2400 is an excellent powder for 357s. Can load mild to wild, and uses SPPs. It's available, but still hard to find (recently bought a couple of pounds at Cabalas). When you start loading the 357 at the mild side, you might find your 125 bullets will take you as fast as you want to go. Otherwise, just use them for your 38s.

For your next bullet purchase, consider 158 plated. My 357s/38s do better with 158s than 125s... but, I'd the 125s might just be your cup of tea.

Enjoy !!!

 

[Nevada Ed]

I would use the Bullseye with the 38 spl. brass and the slower burning HS6 for the .357 cases.

4.5 Bull will get around 860 fps for a nice target load depending on the length of barrel.

A medium load of HS6 in the mag with the 125 SJ should be around 1285 fps for a nice target load......most agree that it does better with a magnum primer but you never know.
Nothing wrong with a few test with standard primers to see what happens. They may shoot ok for you?
In my area, primers are starting to show up again in some of the stores......
Good loading.

 

[rickn1]

Thanks guys, getting a lot of good info here. I think I have the 38 figured now. The only reason I was asking about the 357 is I have about 250 rnds. of empties and thought about light-loading them for the magnum. ...Rick...

 

[lipripper]

thanks for the suggestions

 

[blujax01]

I load a ton of the Remmy's in both 125 and 158 grain and that scalloped SJHP is a wonderful thang! They were a staple for Law Enforcement for many a moon.

http://www.midwayusa.com/product/16...diameter-125-grain-semi-jacketed-hollow-point

Although I usually use Alliant 2400, Hodgdon shows a pretty stout load with HS-6.

1.590 COL...

9.8 grains to 10.9 grains...

1493-1629 FPS.

34,400-42,100 CUP

However the recipe does call for a Magnum primer.

 

[colt_saa]

I have loaded and fired many thousands of the projectile. It has always been a personal favorite.

SJHP stands for Semi Jacketed Hollow Point, so yes it is jacketed

I have never sent one down range as a light load. All of mine have been over 21.6 gains of H110.

 

[colt_saa]

I recently shot a box of Speer 125 grain SJHP 357 Magnum loaded at 1150 fps in the Blazer Brass line at a 50 foot indoor range and was PELTED by debris from the bullets.

While different projectiles will react differently when hitting a steel plate, this is truly a range issue. The plates that form the backstop of most bullet trap designs are intended to be oiled.

We put discarded motor oil on them once a week. This allows to bullet to slide along to curve of the plate easier and dispatch it's energy in the trap.

Dry plates make it harder for the projectile to sharply change direction and follow the plate so ricochets occur instead.

 

[rwsmith]

There are other....

There are other medium/slow powders for .357 that don't require a magnum primer. Unique is good from light up to around 3/4 of a full power load. Like said before, 2400 doesn't require a magnum primer and has a great range from medium to full power, almost as powerful as the slowest magnum powders like 110 and 296 (which do require magnum primers).