Longshot Powder 38/357 cast bullets

[38SPL HV]

I have an opportunity to pick up Longshot powder, but cannot locate cast load data for 38 Spl +P or 357 Mag.

I may pass and just go with Unique or PP.

Any experiences out there with Longshot and cast bullets in these rounds?

Appreciate your inputs

 

[OKFC05]

IMHO Longshot is too slow for 38 spl and inferior to 296 in .357mag. I got a lb free off a prize table and don't recommend it. YMMV

 

[ddixie884]

Hodgdon lists it in .38+P...........

158gr, 5.5gr, 965fps, 17,000psi...........

 

[Alk8944]

Eric,

You don't need "cast bullet" data for cast bullets. For any revolver cartridge, including the Magnums, there is no issue in using jacketed bullet data with cast bullets of reasonable hardness, ca. 12-15 Brinnell. If you study older data from reliable sources, the powder manufacturer, you will often see that their cast bullet data is equal to, sometimes slightly higher, than their jacketed bullet data!

In this case Hodgdon lists a Long Shot load for .38 Spl. +P for the Hornady 158 gr. XTP at 5.5 grains L.S. Listed pressure is 17,000 PSI, NOT 17,000 CUP! Regardless what they call it this is SAAMI MAP for standard pressure .38 Special. Velocity shown is 965 FPS from a 7.7" barrel. Vented is not specified.

Unique, CFE-P, and WSF may be a bit more efficient, but Long Shot definitely seems to have a place in the equation, all "Humble opinions" notwithstanding. If you aren't going to be just a bit adventurous you have missed a large portion of the fun of reloading!

 

[BuckeyeS&W]

357 Magnum loads

The first loads are from June 2016 Handloader .Brian Pearce did a write up in the Pet Loads section with over 200 loads for the 357 Magnum. Here are some from article.

Bullet 155 gr. Lyman 358477
6-7grains Longshot
990-1,112fps.

Bullet 160 gr. Lyman 35815 HP
7-8 grains Longshot
1,186-1,236 fps.

Hodgdon 2016 manual
158 gr. HDY XTP
7.3gr.-8.4gr. Longshot
1,258fps-1,394 fps

I tried loading
158 grain MBC .38 Match Hi-Tek LSWC
7.2 gr. Longshot
Fed 200 primer
Starline brass
It was mid magnum load with a lot of flash and noise and groups were decent but there are a lot better powders out there for 357 magnum. It was the first load to fire cut my top strap on my 66-8 ,not even my WW 296 loads did that. I bought the Longshot back in 2010 for some 45 ACP loads and they were fast and loud with a lot of flash. I'm not big fan.

 

[38SPL HV]

Thank you gentlemen!