dewc in .357

[treerat]

I have a 3" 60 pro, and want to load some missouri bullet 148g dewc in .357 mag cases. I am wanting to get as close to 1,000 fps as posible out of the 3" barrel. I have unique, red dot, and universal. which powder would be best for this, anyone have a load like this they would share? can I get 1,000 fps like I want?

 

[Forrest r]

I used to shoot a DEWC in 357 with 4g of bulleye pushing it. I never chronographed that load but it was pretty stout. I used them for 50yd target loads & use the same powder charge and a buttoned nosed WC bullet in a T/C contender (1 in 14 twist).

I'm sure you'll find a load that will work for you with any of those powders you listed.

On a side note, let us know what you've found & came up with. Some of the short bbl'd revolvers (1 in 18 twist) have a hard time stabilizing the WC bullets. I've seen them skid/tumble in some short bbl'd revolvers.

 

[parabarbarian]

To get 1000 fps from a 3" bbl, you will probably have to work up to above 38 spl pressure level. The best help I can offer is to start with 38 spl loads and work up. The extra 0.135" of a 357 case will mean lower pressure (excepting certain powders) and I have read reports that an equivalent 357 load will be 10% to 15% greater than the 38 spl. YMMV.

AFAIK, none of the powders you list are dangerous to download. If any one is then consider a different powder.

 

[m1gunner]

For that bullet, Alliant has 357 loads (357 cases) listed for Unique. 6 grains is well under max and should be close to what you want.

I am using 4.7 of Bullseye in 357 cases and am close to what you are "shooting" for.

 

[Steve C]

Here is Alliants data for the .357 mag. Use the data for the 148gr LWC not the "target" listings which is light loads that would work with a HBLWC. Figure you'll loose 200 fps for the 3" barrel.

Like m1gunner suggested 6.0grs of Unique should work as should a start load (-10%) 4.1 t 4.2grs of Red Dot.

https://skydrive.live.com/redir.asp...9E5C14A97DD6FE!186&parid=449E5C14A97DD6FE!109

 

[parabarbarian]

Out of curiosity I checked loaddata.com. They list the following for 148 gr WC in 357 cases and the powders you mentioned.

<pre>
148  Wad Cutter  Alliant   Unique  5.8   1344
  Remarks: start load; min OAL: 1.330
148   Wad Cutter  Alliant   Unique  6.4   1465
  Remarks: NEVER EXCEED; min OAL: 1.330; 33,800 psi

148   Wad Cutter  Alliant   Red Dot   4.2   1204
  Remarks: start load; min OAL: 1.330
148   Wad Cutter  Alliant   Red Dot   4.6   1300
  Remarks: NEVER EXCEED; min OAL: 1.330; 33,600 psi

148   Wad Cutter  Hodgdon   Universal   3.5   882
  Remarks: start load; min OAL: 1.290
148   Wad Cutter  Hodgdon   Universal   4.0   989
  Remarks: NEVER EXCEED; min OAL: 1.290; 17,700 cup</pre>