Range report...Plated boolits, and a couple ???

[Fishslayer]

I've found I enjoy everything about touching off a healthy charge of 2400 under a 158gr .357 with my M28-2... except the co$t of launching those jhp.

I've learned just enough about loading cast lead to know that it is a mysterious black art involving alchemy and entrails read by the light of the moon.

So I decided to try out the Xtreme plated 158gr SWC. I was a bit apprehensive since plated are not known to get along real well with high velocity.

They worked fine. I loaded batches of well below minimum up to 14.6gr of 2400 and what I guess would be "maximum crimp?" I screwed the die down till the crimp started to flatten out & backed it out a bit.

Best grouping was with 13.6gr right at POA @ 10yds. Not tack driving but the gun/load is more accurate than I am. Like to get it better, tho.

So would it be worthwhile to futz about with crimp strength? Maybe try backing it off a little?
Or should I tweak around with the powder charge? I now have the adjustable charge bar for my Lee auto disc so I'm not limited by what hole's in the disc anymore.

 

[colt_saa]

The entrails can be read in sunlight. Who told you otherwise?

Plated bullets should be kept below 1250 or so. These will be below maximum loadings.

DO NOT, I repeat Do Not use a heavy crimp. A heavy crimp can/will break through the plating. This will cause plating to come off the projectile thus decreasing accuracy.

If you feel that you must use truly max loads, you need to be shooting Jacketed projectiles. Hand Loading will still allow you to shoot more than factory ammo.

 

[Bruce51]

economy loads

I personally have never used 2400 powder being introduced to H110 from the start of my reloading days.
Recently I realized shooting the higher cost 158JHP at targets really no longer made any sense at all.
I purchased the Rainier .357 158gr plated flat points and tried charges of six and seven grains of Unique. I found seven grains to be accurate enough for targets in both a 686 and a Marlin 1894.
Recoil from seven grains feels less than a full power .357 but more than a .38. Of course that load could be increased as well.
My point is if you are trying to save some money on bullets why not use a different powder as well. At seven grains you will get twice as many loads and you can save the 2400 for the JHP's.

As far as crimping plated bullets I squeeze them until I can only see one half of the case mouth. It's easy to scrape off the plating when you seat them but when fired the case expands releasing the bullet. So under those conditions I doubt the plating is damaged. You can always chamfer the inside of the case mouth just to insure there are no inside sharp edges as well.
That's my .02 FWIW

Bruce

 

[Milton]

If you like 2400 in a .357 (I do) and you want something that will get your attention in that 28 and still not lead the bore get some cast 170 or 180 grain bullets and load 2400 accordingly.You will need to check the throat diameters of the revolver and buy a bullet 0.001 inch over that and you should be plenty happy with the results!!

 

[Fishslayer]

My point is if you are trying to save some money on bullets why not use a different powder as well.

Bruce

I'm working with Green Dot & Bullseye for 125gr loads.

I just like the blast from the 2400.

You will need to check the throat diameters of the revolver and buy a bullet 0.001 inch over that and you should be plenty happy with the results!!

Looking over my targets I have noticed that a good portion (most) of the time I have 3 rounds in a ragged hole, one round 1" high & one round 1.5" low. One is generally around the ragged hole. Happens way to regularly to be a coincidence.

Definitely gonna stick a gauge in those throats. Maybe check the CB gap at each chamber.

 

[Hawker Man]

Keep an eye on your primers.
I collected these flattened ones from a friend who said he liked to "Load em HOT"
They just don't get any flatter than the one on the left.

Tom

 

[sourdough44]

I'm not sure what your after but I seldom load/use max loads unless called for. Why not push that plated bullet with a faster, easier to download powder? I agree with the often stated 1200-1250fps max with plated bullets. Unless your gearing up for the outing to the deep bush or a bear hunt I'd back off for everyday plinkers, easier on the gun & you.