reloading .357 Mag with cast bullets

[GranDoug]

I want to construct some loads for my .357 using Missouri Bullets .357 "Zinger" cast bullets. They have a Brinell hardness rating of 18, and are 140 gr. TCFP.
Anybody got a recipe for this load? I shoot an S&W Mod. 19-4.

 

[cowboy4evr]

I saw your post on the other site . No apologies necessary as I have seen questions like that before and got answers there . Anyway , I understand that you are wanting to shoot a 140 gr TCFP bullet . The load data for 158 gr will work fine , just will be a little slower mv .
YOu didn't say what exactly you are wanting , target loads , mid range or full power ? I have shot 19's for yrs , they are NOT the " weak sister " revolvers some will try to have you believe . For yrs I used a lot of 180gr cast bullets with a max charge of W296 ( current load data ) . It is as tight as the day I bought it . Now I load my L-frames with that load . I choose to shoot a nice mid range load @ about 1100 fps in my K-frame 357's . What powders are you considering will really help too . Is it a snubby , or longer barrel ?

 

[colt_saa]

Welcome to the Forum

I have never loaded a Zinger

I cast my own 158 SWCs

As cowboy4evr states, you should do just fine with any load data for the 158 LSWCs

For a nice midrange load I would be looking at 5.5 grains of Unique or 5 grains of 231.

 

[DWalt]

Depends on your ballistic needs. For general fun shooting, keep the loads light, certainly under 1000 ft/sec. Unique or other powders in that class (HP-38/W231, Power Pistol, AA #2, or Universal) are ideal for such loads.

 

[Snapping Twig]

I've loaded cast magnums since 1983. Most important thing...

Go .001 oversize, IOW use a .358 bullet in a .357 load.

No leading at any speed so long as you stick to SAAMI.

Get some reloading manuals, read them all, see a pattern, work your way up.

 

[38SPL HV]

I second Dwalt - his knowledge and respectfulness with which he extends to many us is praiseworthy.

Personally, I use 158 gr Bayou coated cast bullets. I like 6.0 grs Universal in 357 Mag cases and Mag primers (std primers ok also) all in accordance with Hodgdon's reloading data.

Can't help you with 140 gr cast - but search Lyman or other published loading data, you're bound to arrive at something.

 

[GranDoug]

4 in barrel. To be used for target shooting, flat-nosed loads. I would like to use Bullseye, Unique or H110. I'd like to try some of the new Allient Sporting pistol, but i've not seen it locally, yet.

 

[growr]

I have used Unique (5 gr.) with the same bullet but different manufacturer for a long time and am VERY pleased with the results downrange and on paper. This is in 4" bbl K,L, & N frame guns.
Might work well for you also.

Randy

 

[GranDoug]

I've got Nosler, Hornady, and Lee manuals, but none address this particular bullet. I've ordered a cast bullets bible, so maybe it'll have some info.

 

[LoboGunLeather]

4 in barrel. To be used for target shooting, flat-nosed loads. I would like to use Bullseye, Unique or H110. I'd like to try some of the new Allient Sporting pistol, but i've not seen it locally, yet.

For the 4" medium-frame revolvers in .357 I have used both 158 LSWC and 142 LSWC-HP bullets with 6.5 grains Unique, standard primers, for about 40 years. No problems at all. Moderate recoil and muzzle blast. Good accuracy in my guns. Not a powder puff load; I have taken a Colorado mule deer with it at about 40 yards, but also not too stressful on gun or shooter for a trip to the range.

 

[GranDoug]

I have used Unique (5 gr.) with the same bullet but different manufacturer for a long time and am VERY pleased with the results downrange and on paper. This is in 4" bbl K,L, & N frame guns.
Might work well for you also.

Randy

Thanks, Randy. I like Unique, so maybe I can work up a load with that.

 

[GranDoug]

For the 4" medium-frame revolvers in .357 I have used both 158 LSWC and 142 LSWC-HP bullets with 6.5 grains Unique, standard primers, for about 40 years. No problems at all. Moderate recoil and muzzle blast. Good accuracy in my guns. Not a powder puff load; I have taken a Colorado mule deer with it at about 40 yards, but also not too stressful on gun or shooter for a trip to the range.

Thanks for that info, think that gets me on the right track...

 

[DWalt]

I checked the Lyman Cast Bullet Handbook for .357 loads. The only 140 (actually 141) grain bullet they show is a full wadcutter. Recommended starting load was 6.1 grains of Unique, ca. 1000 ft/sec. They also show a 133 grain RN bullet, with a starting load of 6.5 grains of Unique, MV of ca. 1100 ft/sec. But I never believe MVs from anyone's reloading handbooks. Start at 5.5 to 6 grains of Unique (or similar) and see what happens. It will certainly be safe.

 

[patrickd]

I start at the bottom of the scale and work my way up. I stop when it starts leading my barrel and then back down till it stops. That said, should I find a very accurate load up top I live with the leading. I'll do the work cleaning to trade for a great shot group.

 

[trapper9260]

I say use the data that is close to the weight of what you want to load and go from there.Start at the bottom of the data and work from there. Not all guns will shoot the same.What will work for one gun will not always work in another .

 

[Forrest r]

I want to construct some loads for my .357 using Missouri Bullets .357 "Zinger" cast bullets. They have a Brinell hardness rating of 18, and are 140 gr. TCFP.
Anybody got a recipe for this load? I shoot an S&W Mod. 19-4.

Congratulations on your choice of a modern bullet design. What you have is what's known as a "hybrid" bullet. It is in the weight range that can be used in the 38spl's/357's/9mm's/9 x21/38super's/etc. The bullet has a standard crimp groove and an extremely generous front drive band that will easily allow the bullet to be taper crimped/used in the semi-auto's.

You can use any of the lyman 358477 load data with that bullet.

I use a 140gr hybrid bullet myself for the 38spl/357/9mm. I cast my own and powder coat them. The bullet I use has no lube groove and the nose is shaped like the old "himmelwright" target bullet design from the early 1900's.

 

[cowboy4evr]

A real nice target load in 357 cases would be 4.0 - 4.2 grs of Bullseye powder. My Mid range load using Unique was 7.0 grs . Save your H110 for the full power loads .

 

[DWalt]

Yes, best to save H110 and 2400 for full house high-pressure loads. You can also brew up some fairly potent .357 loads with Unique.

 

[noylj]

1) If you can't find data for your weight bullet, use data for the next heavier bullet.
2) As velocity goes down, move to a faster powder. If you want light target loads, don't get such an excessively hard alloy and go with faster powders like TrailBoss, AA2, Bullseye, Red Dot, and 231/HP38.
3) Hornady makes a 140gn .38 bullet for cowboy action shooting. Their manuals must have load data or you can contact them.

 

[Nevada Ed]

With a hardness of 18, you are good to go for factory speeds.
Bullets at 8-10 are a soft target bullet for 950fps or less.

At the higher speeds, the dia. of that lead bullet is what counts.
Generally a .358 dia. is minimum for lead bullets for most weapons, to minimize leading.

Welcome and good shooting.