Wadcutter target load in 357 brass?

[sjmjax]

Any favorite recipes for moderate target loads using specifically 357 brass and flush seated, plated DE 148g wad cutter bullets?

I know you can use 38 brass but I specifically want to use magnum cases.

Due to the case volume, I’d like to use a bulky powder. But unfortunately as everyone has probably experienced, choices are pretty limited right now.

I mostly have HP-38 available and Accurate #5 & 7. A small amount of Unique and Trailboss that could be used for initial load tests.

Suggestions appreciated!

 

[Troystat]

You can use the same loads as for a 38 special, to make up for the extra case length you can add an extra tenth of a grain. HP-38 works great for target loads.

 

[rwsmith]

Funny you should mention that...

I just made a couple batches of wadcutter .357s. tonight, not exactly target loads, but for target loads my first choice for a bulky powder would be HP-38/W231. And I've had great luck with Accurate #7. I've also used Red Dot

It seems the typical target powders are the high density ones, like Bullseye and Titegroup. Of course Unique is fairly bulky.

Oh, for the .38 truly target wadcutters I used 3.2 gr. of Red Dot. I'm trying to fine tune my 686 so I made a lot of them and have a screwdriver for my sights.

 

[STORMINORMAN]

If you are looking for a "target load" your 1st priority would be accuracy...?

So load up your WIN 231 and see which amount of powder YOU perceive to be the most accurate in YOUR firearm.

Cheers!

P.S. Using a Hodgdons data midpoint between their START & MAX would probably be a good place to begin: if accuracy goes down with more powder, load a bit less.

 

[sjmjax]

I agree with the “tuning” of loads to your firearm in concept.

But just in the .357 class, I regularly shoot about 10 different magnum (Colt & SW) revolvers. Firearm specific loads aren’t practical for me. With few exceptions, I need more versatile common load ran in bulk on the Dillion.

Thanks for all the suggestions. I’ll start tinkering with the 231-HP38 since I have an abundance of it.

 

[robertrwalsh]

I use about 2.9-3.0 grains of bullseye or about 3.2-3.3 grains of 231 to push a 148 WC out of a .357 case. Works fine for me.

 

[stansdds]

I've loaded plenty of cast lead 148gr DEWC bullets in 357 Magnum cases. I used standard small pistol primers and 4.0 grains of Bullseye, which yielded and average of 949 fps measured 10 feet from the muzzle of my 6 inch barreled Ruger GP-100. With such low velocity loads, using a bulkier powder means using relatively small charges of slower burning powders. Powders burn more efficiently, cleanly, and completely the closer the charge is to the maximum safe pressure level. So slower burning powders in light target loads may result in excessive residue and erratic velocity.

My loads were with the bullets seated so the case mouth was very lightly roll crimped into the crimping groove. When loading the wadcutter so that it is flush with the case mouth you do not need as much powder as the bullet is seated deeper into the case. As a very general rule of thumb, you can use 38 Special load data and add up to 0.5 grains to the powder charge to duplicate a 38 Special load in 357 Magnum brass.

 

[gwpercle]

Since you mostly have HP38 lets take those 357 magnum cases , 148 gr. DEWC and standard small pistol primers ...

Starting Load - 3.1 grs HP38 @ 648 fps .

Maximum Load - 3.6 grs. HP38 @ 749 fps .

My notes show my Pet accuracy load is 3.3 grs. HP38 with a 148 gr. wadcutter @ 699 fps .
This load works well in 38 Special cases also .
A Lee 3 cc powder dipper (yellow plastic) will dip 3.3 grs of HP38 , using my dipping technique ... I like to dip my powder charges so this works well for my 38/357 - 148 WC loads !
Gary

 

[sjmjax]

Thanks for all the input and suggestions!
Forecast locally is for nice weekend weather.
Going to get busy and plan an interesting weekend at the range.

 

[shil]

Oh! Something new for me to play with! Are we talking here about solid wadcutters or hollow-base? I'm limited to commercial bullets.

 

[STORMINORMAN]

Oh! Something new for me to play with! Are we talking here about solid wadcutters or hollow-base? I'm limited to commercial bullets.

The "plated DE" in the OP's post indicates "double-ended" I believe (vs. an HB for "hollow-base")...?

Cheers!

 

[stansdds]

Oh! Something new for me to play with! Are we talking here about solid wadcutters or hollow-base? I'm limited to commercial bullets.

Solid. Mine were double ended (DEWC), so there was no hollow base (HBWC) nor was there a button nose (BNWC) on one end.

 

[besshoudini]

I use aa9 its for 357mag

 

[glenwolde]

Oh! Something new for me to play with! Are we talking here about solid wadcutters or hollow-base? I'm limited to commercial bullets.

Personally, I never had much luck with DEWC and prefer the button nose design. My favorite commercial bullet would be the ACME no-lube groove 148gr design. I think SNS casting dropped their Button Nose design.

 

[jem102]

Personally, I never had much luck with DEWC and prefer the button nose design. My favorite commercial bullet would be the ACME no-lube groove 148gr design. I think SNS casting dropped their Button Nose design.

Agree, I have always found the button nose to be most accurate.

 

[Garrett-J]

FWIW, I load HBWC bullets with the same load in both .38 and .357 cases.

OAL is set to 1.285" for both, which will be flush in a .357 case, and seated .125" beyond the case in the .38 Spl. In this way, the internal case volume is the same for either. You just have to adjust the crimp die for the case you are using. Or better yet, you can buy a .125" spacer. Set the dies for .38 Spl. case, and then use the spacer when loading the .357 case.

 

[sjmjax]

I expect to post the results of my tests soon.

Trying to figure out the best way to present the data in an easy to post and read format.

Will be a separate thread.