Found an accurate 357 lead target load

[Super Dave]

Hi guys,

I finally found a good lead target load for my 357 revolvers. I tested this in two 686's and on modern a 627 5".

In the past I tried Missouri Bullet Co and Bayou Bullets. I was never happy with the accuracy on these bullets.

I picked up some Zero lead 158s in SWC and RN. The SWCs were more accurate across the board compared to the RN.

4.8 HP38 is a standard published load with the 158 grain bullets.

The 686's shot better than the 627. I'm not sure why the 627 groups opened up a little. I inspected all the barrels for lead deposits and could not find any evidence of leading.

Distance was 50 yards.

Recoil is moderate. My OAL is a little longer than what Speer published but 1.590 worked just fine.

Jacketed Montana Gold HP 158's are still more accurate. But the extra powder required / bigger bang and recoil is not worth the increase in accuracy. I'm going to move to the Zero lead SWC for my standard range load.

It looks like the swaged lead shoots better in my guns than cast lead.

Thanks,
Dave

 

[indie_rocker]

Nice grouping @ 50 yards.

Seeing that load chart makes me get all nostalgic though... I'm really gonna miss my jug of SR-7625 once it's empty. Down to about 4lbs now.

 

[cowboy4evr]

My fav 357 magnum most accurate load is a 160 gr cast bullet with 7.5 grs. of Winchester Superfield. My cast bullet is a modified version of the Lyman 358156 w/o the gas check ( pb ) crimped in the upper groove using 357 magnum cases . It's a custom mold from Accurate Molds.
It is a very accurate combo in every 357 (S&W only ) I have tried it .

 

[rwsmith]

I agree...

Swaged bullets with a light load reigns supreme in my book. I have SWCs and HBWCs.

 

[mike campbell]

.....Jacketed Montana Gold HP 158's are still more accurate. But the extra powder required / bigger bang and recoil is not worth the increase in accuracy.

I'm curious why extra powder is :"required?"

Have you tried the jacketed bullet with the same 4.8 grains of HPP38?

IME, though premium jacketed bullets may be required for magnum loads (in lieu of hard cast, gas-checked lead), it is by no means necessary to load them to magnum specs. In fact, I have a couple thousand Hornady XTP HP's that I'll be shooting up in superbly accurate, mild plinking loads ....38 Spl performance in 357Mag cases.

 

[Super Dave]

Thanks guys.

Mike, here's my loads for the jacketed bullet. It's still a moderate load.

http://smith-wessonforum.com/reloading/444316-new-hp38-357-load.html

But, I'm somewhat recoil sensitive and lead gets me an even softer shooting load...so I just ordered a few thousand of the Zero 158 SWC.

Take care,
Dave

 

[muddocktor]

Super Dave, I've read somewhere (1911 forums maybe) that the Zero cast bullets are actually from Magnus bullets and Magnus's jacketed bullets are actually Zero bullets. Just a FYI in case you find better pricing from one or the other companies.

Here's the link to order the Magnus bullets for you to check them out. They have some decent pics of the bullets for you to examine. BTW, I'm not affiliated with either Magnus or Zero, so I'm not trying to peddle off my bullets.

 

[jaymoore]

I keep toying with cast bullets in the various .44 revolvers but I have also found swaged lead bullets more accurate. In fact, they're doing well at 200m.

I haven't yet found the "happy" long range bare lead bullet combo for the .357, though. Oddly, WW231 was the "go to" target powder for both calibers for years, but minor forcing cone leading and positional sensitivity have led toward using large quantities of IMR4198 and Reloder 7 in the past couple of years. Bullets don't go any faster, but the positional sensitivity and the leading are gone. In fact, these loads remove lead from fouled bores!

But, maybe it's time to revisit the .357 (again) for long range use. It sure would cut back on powder consumption! And about 80grs of lead per shot....

 

[Super Dave]

Interesting stuff. My testing has not gone past 50 yards. My range goes out to 100 yards and I generally shoot out to 75 yards...mostly 50. 200 yards would definitely raise the bar. It might overwhelm me.

I've heard good stuff about Magnus. The photos of the Zero and Magnus look a little different (maybe). Kind of hard to tell by the photos. The Zero's are a little cheaper.

Load testing is a fun challenge but I really prefer shooting. So, since the Zeros work fine I think I'll stick with them for a while.

Take care,
Dave

 

[varmint243]

I have tried all manner of commercial cast and swaged lead bullets.
I keep coming back to using my own cast bullets,
They are far more accurate than anything I have purchased in 38/357.
I am also a firm believer in flat base bullets for the 38/357.
Bevel base bullets just don't work for me.
Swaged HBWC seem to work ok, but you really have to load them light.
I was getting leading with the typical 2.8gr with the last ones I tried.
If your serious about using cast I suggest the cast boolit forum.
Lots of good information there.
I have noticed that commercial cast 45acp bullets seem to work ok.
I shoot 40 yards offhand.
YMMV

 

[Qc Pistolero]

I have tried all manner of commercial cast and swaged lead bullets.
I keep coming back to using my own cast bullets,
They are far more accurate than anything I have purchased in 38/357.
I am also a firm believer in flat base bullets for the 38/357.
Bevel base bullets just don't work for me.
Swaged HBWC seem to work ok, but you really have to load them light.
I was getting leading with the typical 2.8gr with the last ones I tried.
If your serious about using cast I suggest the cast boolit forum.
Lots of good information there.
I have noticed that commercial cast 45acp bullets seem to work ok.
I shoot 40 yards offhand.
YMMV

I agree 100%.With the .38Spl,I've been shooting ISU and used cast and swaged.At 25meters(roughly 27yds),I didn't find any difference,I geared myself with Corbin swaging press and dies for HBWC and again,at such distance,didn't find any difference(as long as bullet diam.is ok with the cylinder mouth diam.).Not trusting myself,I've had friends doing PPC(25 and 50 yds)testing them and still,same conclusion.

Casting is an art that can be mastered and then,will be rewarding good results.Nothing beat the grin of a guy looking at a good target while he knows that he's controlled every aspect of reloading,including fathering the projectile!
Well cast bullets are top notch!
Qc