Help with .357mag/.38sp

[lrrifleman]

There is not really much to add to the really good advice here, but I will try!

Spacers are a good idea, but if you are patient and diligent, there is another avenue available to you. Every now and then, there is a seller on a popular auction site that sells a custom machined tool head for Dillons, I picked one up. The raised portion of the tool head that engages the press is offset and comes with a spacer. Cost was about $30. Place the spacer above the projection, then set your dies for 38 Specials. When you want to load 357s, just put the spacer below the projection. All you will have to adjust is your powder charge. I tend to use Bullseye for my 38 wadcutters, 231 for my 38 SWC, and looking at Unique for my cast gas checked SWC in 357.

 

[SixGunSancho]

Happy New Year Tensaw,

Here's what I've figured out too late: go with simplicity. The only max loads I load now are for big game cartridges. All three of my big game rifles perform best at or near max loads.

Since 99.9% of my handgun shooting is strictly target ranges and plugging holes in recyclables, I load at the low end. I do not need a lot of velocity to punch holes in paper and aluminum cans. For semis, the trick is figuring out least powder charge that will cycle slide. Low end loading = less stress on guns, and they're a lot more fun for kids to shoot.

The .357 Mag, in my opinion, is our most versatile handgun cartridge. .38 Special reloading drops the cost of shooting to close to the cost of .22 LR.

Just about any powder short to talcum will work in the .38 Special. I love Unique. I still do. But I'm sold on Titegroup. It's a lot cleaner, and a few grains goes a long way. BTW, from what I've read, Titegroup seems to have displaced Bullseye among competition shooters.

I bought the last 500 180 grain Partitions I could find. When Nosler DC'd that bullet, I was able to pick them up at a price too good to pass up. I knew I'd never use more than 50. My son's childhood friend has a Model 1894 .357 Mag. He wanted to start his deer hunting adventures with it. My intent was to introduce him to the fabulous hobby of hand loading with the added satisfaction of taking game with loads he crafted. It didn't work out. I still have all 500 180 grain Partitions. 50 would last me the rest of my days fishing in bear country. The point is max loading requires tedious attention to detail. I have to weigh every individual powder charge. That takes far too long. I'd rather stay at low ends with a thrower. It's far easier for me to buy a box of .357 Mag hunting ammo than load it.

That brings me to my last point. Should you decide, the .357 Mag with 180 grain bullets will kill any deer species in North America provided you're using the right bullet. Your 686 would be a perfect deer handgun provided you can destroy a deer's oxygenated blood pumping apparatus at a handgun-appropriate range. Your range time should build confidence necessary to hunt big game with your 686.

I wish you the best of luck.