Original .357 Magnum load (1935)

[Doug.38PR]

Well, today I loaded 15 grains of 2400 with a magnum pistol Winchester primer and stuck it in my Highway Patrolman cylinder along with 5 other rounds loaded with 14.5 grains of 2400 in standard pistol primers. I haven't had a chance to stand up my chronograph to clock it, I just stepped outside and tried to see how different the sound and recoil was...oddly the 15 grain with the magnum primer actually felt and sounded like a slightly weaker load. I also notice upon looking down the barrel after shooting all 6 that there seemed to be a bit of excess powder residue.

Any thoughts on this? (I do plan in the next day or so to see what happens on the chronograph and I'll let y'all know)

 

[alwslate]

The powder residue is likely mostly from your 14.5 grs, std primer
loads. The subjective feeling that the 15 gr, mag primer load was
weaker was probably due to difference in muzzle blast; sharper crack
rather than boom and less smoke and blow back. Compare them over
a chrono and you'll see.

 

[Collo Rosso]

I was loading 2400 with 158gr. LSWC's and standard primers working up. With 12 grains or so of powder I was finding un-burnt flakes on the shooting table. It was suggested I firm up the crimp and that did help. I've got a nice plinking load now at 14.5 grains and with that firm crimp I have no un-burnt powder.
As far as leading goes I had no problem with a bullets I bought from Georgia arms. I bought some at a gun show locally cast and these will show some leading after 50+ rounds from my 686 but cleans easily. Most tell you leading is a bullet size problem. The Georgia arms bullets were .358 and the locals .3575. My 686 looks to prefer .358 bullets.

 

[Simson-Suhl]

Speer Reloading Manual #14, Cartridge 357 Magnum, page 892,
"Do not use magnum primers with 2400 or VihtaVuori110 loads shown here or high pressures will result.

 

[Stan O]

Load data

Great thread! Thanks to everyone who posted. Never too old to learn something new.

 

[shawn mccarver]

They have a sort of blue ring down towards the base...not sure what that's for.

That is lube, isn't it?

 

[Rule3]

Speer Reloading Manual #14, Cartridge 357 Magnum, page 892,
"Do not use magnum primers with 2400 or VihtaVuori110 loads shown here or high pressures will result.

Interesting, All the hours spent using that manual, I had never seen that before.

 

[rwsmith]

Powder residue.......

No matter what my load with 2400, after shooting there is a fine,yellow-gold residue on me and my gun. Since it's a different color I'd think it was ash.

 

[Doug.38PR]

Wonder if it would be abusive to step down a gun size and use the "original" .357 Magnum load in a Python.

I know, all .357 mag guns are SAAMI rated, blah blah blah. Gun's not going to blow up. But would it be more wear and tear on the gun as opposed to the Highway Patrolman S&W

 

[rwsmith]

Well, it's known...

Wonder if it would be abusive to step down a gun size and use the "original" .357 Magnum load in a Python.

I know, all .357 mag guns are SAAMI rated, blah blah blah. Gun's not going to blow up. But would it be more wear and tear on the gun as opposed to the Highway Patrolman S&W

Well, it's known that a model 19 K frame will fire these loads but will shorten the life of the gun. This is to the point that full loads are not recommended except in necessary situations. (read police duty) Practice with lesser loads.

 

[m657]

Touching lightly upon this old thread, it brings to mind my early days circa 1980 naively attempting to make 'max' loads with 357 to knock down the 200 yard steel ram for IHMSA, my fascination at the time.

New to both shooting and reloading at the time, it took months to realize the abysmal accuracy, dreaded recoil, and continual leading/copper fouling of the barrel might somehow all be related.

 

[Nevada Ed]

Since my first 357 was just a K frame I stayed away from the super hot loads and was happy hitting the 100 yard Ram with 158 lead with open sights.

Now that I have a almost magnum in a L frame I will be adding a little more powder to see what I can muster up.
With the 158 lead, Unique only got 1320 fps so 2400 powder is next to see if 1400 fps is possible.....
plus I may need to buy two brass brushes in case the barrel leads up a little.

later.

 

[Alk8944]

Speer Reloading Manual #14, Cartridge 357 Magnum, page 892,
"Do not use magnum primers with 2400 or VihtaVuori110 loads shown here or high pressures will result.

Yeah, interesting! Especially since now it is Speer being concerned about pressures after some of the absolutely horrendous loads they published in #8!!!!!!!!!

Also interesting is how Hercules/Alliant published loads for over 30 years, PRESSURE TESTED MIND YOU(!), recommended the Federal 200 SPM primer in .357 Magnum with 2400 and didn't find any pressure issues! And now that Speer and ATK/Alliant are related by marriage it is suddenly an issue????? I don't think so.

Something to keep in mind when reading loading manuals, and that is, "It ain't necessarily gospel just because it's in print!" Especially if printed in a Speer manual.