What Exactly Is a "Hot Load"?

[LadySmithShooter]

If you want some 158 gr 357 loads that aren't full power, but are in 357 cases (no scrubbing the carbon ring like a 38 sp round), look for 357 ammo loaded with lead bullets instead of jacketed bullets..

There are factory lead loads that clock about 1,000 fps, which is at or just above 38 sp +P level. Should work great in your gun and be pleasant to shoot.

Really......humm. Someone told me not to shoot lead bullets cuz you have to clean even more. Wow this ammo stuff is really confusing....maybe I misunderstood. Maybe I confused it with more copper build up in the barrel and more cleaning....does that sound right?

Brenda

 

[P&R Fan]

Brenda, the Cowboy Loads are usually Lead Flat Nosed loads that are loaded to very modest velocities. They were intended for use in cowboy matches and won't usually have the recoil that full power loads do. Check the ammunition companies out online and you can find them, or in a well stocked gun store.
For cleaning I'm a dinosaur and still use Hoppes #9 solvent. It works good, plus the smell alone is worth it. Ask anybody who was raised around guns, especially if they're middle aged or older, and they will tell you that smell brings back memories. For me it reminds me of my Dad and Grandpa. There are lots of cleaners on the market, but this is my favorite.
Stick around and you'll learn a bunch of stuff. We're glad you're here.

 

[m1gunner]

Really......humm. Someone told me not to shoot lead bullets cuz you have to clean even more. Wow this ammo stuff is really confusing....maybe I misunderstood. Maybe I confused it with more copper build up in the barrel and more cleaning....does that sound right?

Brenda

You might get some leading, but it isn't difficult or expensive to clean up. A pad of "chore boy" copper pot scrubber will clean your revolver barrels for several thousand rounds. You just wrap some around an old bore brush, add some solvent , and the lead comes right out with a few passes.

To me, the biggest plus in shooting lead loads is less wear and tear on the barrel. It is near impossible to wear out a barrel shooting lead. Copper jacketed bullets are much harder on the gun. The second benifit is lower cost to shoot.

 

[JohnnieB]

...........
What exactly is a cowboy load? I recently bought some .357 Mag 158 Grain to shoot cuz I really dont like the cleaning....and speaking of cleaning....what do you have to use to get your gun clean after those +P rounds. I tried the traditional stuff. Gun store gave me some stuff that smells like WD-40....it helped but man.....what a pain.....I spent 4 hours trying to get it clean and it still has rings.....they're lighter....but they're still there.

Brenda

Like P&R Fan said, Cowboy Loads are loaded with less powder, so they have less recoil. They aren't much good for distance shooting, but neither is a snub nosed revolver and under 25 yards they have about the same accuracy as full power rounds.

If you cannot find any locally, this is what my wife used before I figured out how to reload them for her.
.357 Magnum 158gr Rd. Nose Flat Pt. 1000pk
(They come in quantities 50 and 100 also.)

As for cleaning, I'll probably get yelled at by other forum members, but I finish a range session by running a few FMJs through the guns I've been shooting lead through, give them a squirt of Kroil, CLP, or something similar and then I run a Bore-Snake though them while they're still warm followed by a wipe down with an oiled rag. At home I'll give them more thorough cleaning if they need it, but only if they need it.

Both lead and jacketed bullets can leave residue behind, but there are solvent for both and the clean up is fairly easy if you don't let the build-up to get too bad. A quick cleaning after each range session usually takes care of it. The Chore Boy trick mentioned by m1gunner will take care of a heavier build up, but let me add that running a bore mop soaked in solvent and letting it set for several minutes before running the strands of a Chore Boy pad wrapped around a bore mop helps. Also make sure it is copper, some of the scrub pads are copper coated steel, which could scratch your bore.

As for the rings of powder residue that form right before the cylinder diameter reduces down to the throat diameter when you shoot .38spl in a .357mag, they aren't a problem unless they are thick enough to hamper loading and extracting .357mag ammo. I use oversized bore mops and brushes to keep the rings in my .357mag revolvers to a mild roar, but I never use steel bore brushes.

John

 

[38-44HD45]

Yes, kinda. To me even the hottest 357 load isn't unmanageable, but I shoot 44 magnum a lot. In 357, a 158 gr load will have a stronger felt recoil in the hand. A 125gr under the right powder will have less felt recoil, but a whole lot of flash and a very loud report.

Both can put down some serious energy on target, again with the right load. The 158gr bullet will have the edge on penetration.

If you get a bullet of any weight under the powder, you're going to get a bullet stuck in the barrel and a mess of loose powder.

 

[Hovnnes]

A bore snake while the barrel is still warm will take care of most leading. IMHO if your barrel is leading more than what a bore snake can handle there are other issues you need to deal with (bullet size, composition, velocity etc...)

 

[LadySmithShooter]

Like P&R Fan said, Cowboy Loads are loaded with less powder, so they have less recoil. They aren't much good for distance shooting, but neither is a snub nosed revolver and under 25 yards they have about the same accuracy as full power rounds.

If you cannot find any locally, this is what my wife used before I figured out how to reload them for her.
.357 Magnum 158gr Rd. Nose Flat Pt. 1000pk
(They come in quantities 50 and 100 also.) Great.....thanks for the info...will check it out.

As for cleaning, I'll probably get yelled at by other forum members, but I finish a range session by running a few FMJs through the guns I've been shooting lead through, give them a squirt of Kroil, CLP, or something similar and then I run a Bore-Snake though them while they're still warm followed by a wipe down with an oiled rag. At home I'll give them more thorough cleaning if they need it, but only if they need it.

As for the rings of powder residue that form right before the cylinder diameter reduces down to the throat diameter when you shoot .38spl in a .357mag, they aren't a problem unless they are thick enough to hamper loading and extracting .357mag ammo. I use oversized bore mops and brushes to keep the rings in my .357mag revolvers to a mild roar, but I never use steel bore brushes. I took my gun to the gun supply store and they said the rings were ware and if I shop a few .357s thru it then they would disappear. Did that today and the rings are still there even after a thorough cleaning. Shooting seemed fine but extracting seemed a bit stickey in one chamber in particular. I also bruised the heck out of my hand. Tightened up my grip and it really helped but by then it was too late.....space between my thumb and index finger is purple. Ha ha......learned a lesson there.

John

Thanks for all the information.

Brenda

 

[LadySmithShooter]

Brenda, the Cowboy Loads are usually Lead Flat Nosed loads that are loaded to very modest velocities. They were intended for use in cowboy matches and won't usually have the recoil that full power loads do. Check the ammunition companies out online and you can find them, or in a well stocked gun store.
For cleaning I'm a dinosaur and still use Hoppes #9 solvent. It works good, plus the smell alone is worth it. Ask anybody who was raised around guns, especially if they're middle aged or older, and they will tell you that smell brings back memories. For me it reminds me of my Dad and Grandpa. There are lots of cleaners on the market, but this is my favorite.
Stick around and you'll learn a bunch of stuff. We're glad you're here.

Brenda

Definitely going to check those out. The base of my thumb is purple. Ha Ha...what a loser. I just wouldnt give up.....shot 50 rounds.....thought it was just sore.....didn't know it was bruising. I wont be slack'n on that grip next time.