Super-X 357 Velocity?

[Retired W4]

I can usually google the product code and find specifications on ammo, but no luck on these. Winchester Super-X .357 Magnum, 158 GR. Lead. It is nickel plated case with copper coated lead SWC. Code: X3571P. The reason I am asking is I shot some through my 28-2 and it seemed to be pretty hot for SWC's. It has Olin on the bottom right corner of the box. I'm wondering what the velocity is and also when was it discontinued?

 

[ddixie884]

I don't know when they were discontinued, but I shot some about 1970. They were a standard load of that time. They were very loud, recoiled a good bit, and 12 leaded up a Ruger Blackhawk the worst I have ever seen. I believe the published velocity was approximately 1500fps, but that would have been from an 8 3/8" barrel. I don't know if it would be vented or not. That was the WW-Olin standard load, and if you fire them use good ear protection, as they will make your ears ring for a while........

 

[OFT II]

That's the old Lubaloy load that was the mainstay load for 357 made by Winchester-Western up to the 1970s. It kicked and cracked and a few rounds would lead your barrel like crazy. After two or three cylinders you wondered why you didn't stick with 38 specials.

 

[David LaPell]

I dug out my copy of Bill Jordan's No Second Place Winner which was written in 1964, back when these loads were the norm for .357 shooters. According to his info the 158 grain lead load was moving along at 1,400 fps from an 8 3/8 inch barrel, which was down from the 1,500 fps of the stuff from the late 1930's but this is more than the 1,235 fps advertised from the current 158 grain factory loads. I have handloaded some loads to this velocity and I don't mind shooting them in my Model 27 but I bet in a K-frame snubbie or a j-frame they would be a bit interesting. I have shot them out of a Model 19 4-inch before and they were a bit warm to say the least.