parabarbarian
Member
Your load sounds about right. My "mid-range" 357 load is 8.0 gr of Power Pistol under 158 gr FP or SWC.
Mid Range .357
- Thread starter Snapping Twig
- Start date
harleydrivinglawnerd
Member
- Joined
- Jan 15, 2012
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Do you use magnum primers with that much unique?
Do you get any lead fouling at that speed?
I had some 38 spl. 158 grain LSWC loaded with 4.8 grains Unique and it seems I was getting some leading at those loads.
Love to load some 357 magnum but have been worried about leading.
Thanks
Do you get any lead fouling at that speed?
I had some 38 spl. 158 grain LSWC loaded with 4.8 grains Unique and it seems I was getting some leading at those loads.
Love to load some 357 magnum but have been worried about leading.
Thanks
ruger-p94
Member
I'm loading for the first time tomorrow and using the 158 LSWC I cast and the Lee book says the starting load for it is 5.2 and max is 6.0. for Unique. I figure I will start off around 5.5 and get a good base line on what the light load is and then work up till I find a nice accurate target load for my 13-3
Harley guy,
I'd suggest you try the hotter .357 loads.
I have been using the same Space Coast cast 158 grain LSWC in both .38 special and .357 loads.
At the modest .38 special loadings with these hard cast bullets, I get heavy leading in a several different .38 special revolvers. When I go to the hotter .357 loads with the same bullets, the leading problem completely goes away.
This phenomenon has been frequently discussed on the reloading board.
I'd suggest you try the hotter .357 loads.
I have been using the same Space Coast cast 158 grain LSWC in both .38 special and .357 loads.
At the modest .38 special loadings with these hard cast bullets, I get heavy leading in a several different .38 special revolvers. When I go to the hotter .357 loads with the same bullets, the leading problem completely goes away.
This phenomenon has been frequently discussed on the reloading board.
OP
Snapping Twig
Member
Amazing how different various books can be.
My data shows 6 ~ 8.4g.... Wait, I think I know what's up...
The data for LEAD is lower and the data for jacketed is higher.
I have been loading for 30 years, so I have had experience, therefore I suggest you gain yours in the safest way possible - through caution and good records.
I used the jacketed data as weight is MOST important. Construction is too, but here's where experience pays dividends and allows deviation from the data. If you understand that jacketed bullets have more resistance than lead, you realize that pressure is lower for a given bullet weight - jacket vs lead.
You also gain velocity with lead over jacketed for the same powder charge.
With that in mind, I used the jacketed data for my loads in both the 65-5 and today, the 13-3 - just like yours.
I found that the 7g Unique load with a cast 160g SWC shot to POA in the 13.3 and it is accurate indeed.
Work your way up to it and let us know what you think of that load, which is not a maximum load in any event.
ruger-p94
Member
I also noticed in the book that the oal is 1.570. I understand you can not go below this or you will increase the pressure quite a bit. I am using a Lee tumble lub bullet and there is a groove for a crimp around the 1.65 mark. My understanding is going to that mark will only lower the pressure of the bullet and it will still fit in the revolver with lots to spare. I was planning to make 15 rounds like that and try them out and if the round "felt" slow then I could put a few more grains in but keep it at the larger oal.
OP
Snapping Twig
Member
Lead bullets have a crimp groove for a reason - use it.
You get a good crimping spot to prevent bullet set-back (increased pressure surprise) and OAL is right for that bullet when loaded according to Mfg's. SAAMI data.
Here again, the exception and experience shows up with a combination like the Lyman 359429 (long) and the N frame cylinder (short). You have a long cylinder on the 13, so no worries, but that bullet needs to be crimped in a "different" location and the powder charge modified to accomodate this condition.
Welcome to the reloading world.
I have been using 4.0 grains of American Select with a 158 gr. lead semi-wadcutter in my .357 mag. Rossi Ranch Hand. It is a great load for that pistol.
squarles67
Member
6 grains of Unique aka "Flaming Dirt" in a 357 case with a 158g lead RNFP gives me 1100 fps put of a 6" model 66-2
ruger-p94
Member
Got back from the range after testing my first load. I used 5.2 grains of Unique with the 158 grain lead WC. I was able to get a nice tight 2 1/2 grouping with not much recoil. I think I will add three grains and round it off at 5.5 with the oal at 1.580. Very happy with the load....
fredj338
Member
If I could only have one pistol powder, it would be Unique. A 6.5-7gr charge under a 158gr LSWC is an easy shooting accurate load in most 357mags.
I have had my fill of Unique had it's poor metering characteristics, I guess its not a big deal at mid range loadings but when I load at the upper end I can not get Unique to meter consistently enough to feel comfortable with the charge.
My next candidate for a Unique replacement will likely be Universal.
5.5 gr. Unique/150 gr. RCBS mould= 860 fps/std primer/ 357 brass 4" bbl. Good load!
jerry52
Member
5.5 Unique with 158 swc speer or hornady light recoil very accurate. six oclock hold full power load are dead on (146 1/2 jacket swc 17.0 grains 296
I've switched from Unique to Universal as well. Cleaner and meters much better in my Dillon 650 and I find it a very accurate mid range powder.
LoboGunLeather
US Veteran
Nearly all of my .357 magnum shooting is done with K-frame revolvers (Model 19, Model 66, etc). I use two cast bullets, one is a 158SWC, the other is a 145RN-HP. Both do very well using 7.0 grains Unique, standard primers. Accurate, controllable, comfortable to shoot. I have not chronographed these, but I suspect velocities in the 1100-1150FPS range; a significant boost over .38+P levels, but not hard on guns or shooters at all.
I've been using Unique in several handgun calibers for over 40 years. I find it to be consistent and reliable. I see others commenting on metering problems, which I've never experienced with my Lachmiller powder measure. I see others commenting on dirty guns, which I have never noticed to any degree (even when shooting 200 rounds or more), I just clean as usual with no great difficulty.
I've been using Unique in several handgun calibers for over 40 years. I find it to be consistent and reliable. I see others commenting on metering problems, which I've never experienced with my Lachmiller powder measure. I see others commenting on dirty guns, which I have never noticed to any degree (even when shooting 200 rounds or more), I just clean as usual with no great difficulty.
Qc Pistolero
Member
I use 6.9 under a 154gr swc.Good for a little over 1000fps
