Loads for mid-level 357 using 125 gr. lead and Bullseye?

[Hammerdown77]

My brother bought a GP100 recently and has been shooting mostly factory ammo through it. Yesterday he gave me 50 cases to try reloading for him. I have a box of Missouri Bullet 125 gr. truncated cone lead bullets, BHN 12, that I bought for practice loads in my J frame. Also have a jug of Bullseye that I need to finish off.

He's looking for mid-level loads. Not purely paper punching, but not full bore screamers either (which I couldn't use these softer bullets for anyway).

I see jacketed 125 gr. data for Bullseye (7.6 gr. start load), and was thinking about starting a grain and a half below that. I'm thinking start at 6.0 grains.

Does this sound reasonable? Anyone else have good luck using Bullseye with similar bullets in the .357?

 

[ArchAngelCD]

IMO Bullseye is too fast a powder for loading mid-level .357 Magnum ammo. You really want a slower powder for that job if you want to keep the pressures down and make them pleasant to shoot. I suggest a slower powder, something like W231/HP-38, Green Dot, Unique or even better, HS-6. I load a lot of lead for my .357 Magnum using HS-6 when looking for a mid-level load.

Please do your own checking but 8.0gr HS-6 under a 125gr lead bullet makes a great .357 Magnum load IMO. Use that data at your own risk and don't blame anyone if things go wrong. (but it's not a hot load at all) For a 158gr LSWC bullet I charge 7.2gr HS-6. Use a Magnum primer if you have them, the results are better...

 

[Hammerdown77]

I do have HS-6, but no magnum primers.

Totally forgot about the pound of Trailboss I still have. Granted, the velocity won't be much to write home about, but it might be fun to see how it does with these softer bullets.

 

[dave b]

Try 4-5 grains, and see how you like it. Do a few with different amounts in each group. Bullseye is a really fast low to medium power. best suited to non magnum fps.