.357 Load Data?

[chemistbert]

I just got a 158gr RNFP mould from Lee for my 357 Mag but all the load data I can find isn't for this bullet and is rather pathetic. Anybody out there have data for THIS bullet?

Thanks

[ January 16, 2006, 02:42 PM: Message edited by: chemistbert ]

[Michael Bush]

Most any 158gr lead load listed for a .357 should work. Are you saying you don't have 158gr lead bullet load or that you don't have one for that specific shape? I don't have my manuals handy right now.

You're not going to able to push a lead bullet nearly as fast as a jacketed bullet because you'll strip out the lead in the rifling and before that, you'll get a lot of lead fouling. But it's a nice bullet for moderate loads and plinking.

What are you going to use for lead? 50/50? #2? Wheel weights? Linotype?

Beeswax makes nice flux, but makes a nice flame too. smile.gif

[chemistbert]

I'm using wheel weights with tin mixed in for a #2 clone right now. I want to get about 1200fps and really think I can. I'll probably just have to venture out on my own and use the books to keep me from killing myself.
I found that out about beeswax the other day. The pot was a tad too hot and made a lovely fire. No issues though. Thanks

[Michael Bush]

#2 is a pretty good plan if you want some velocity. I also dump the hot bullet directly out of the mold into cold water. This does make it harder. Unfortunately resizing it undoes most of that. How oversized is the mold? Have you slugged your barrel? If the cast bullet and the grooves on the barrel are within a thousandth or so, you could probably buy an oversized sizing die from Lyman and just use it to lube but not resize. Then the quenched ones will keep their hardness. If you really want some velocity, buy a mold that's 6 or 7 thousandths undersized and paper patch them.

I'll try to check my books one of these nights and post what I find. There's some cast info in quite a few of them and the Lyman cast bullet manual has a lot of them.

[chemistbert]

I kinda like the undersize paper patch idea.

Anyway, the mold drops bullets that are oversize to my bore by about 3 or 4 thousands. That's fine and they exhibit good accuracy. I slugged the bore but can't remember what it came to I just rember the difference. I lube using liquid alox so I shoot them as cast.

[george dilley]

http://www.handloads.com/loaddata/default.asp?Caliber=357%20Magnum&Weight=All&type=Handgun&Order=Powder&Source= this link may help

[Michael Bush]

Heres a few of what I think are still common powders. I haven't bought any in years. I know some of the ones listed in the book are obsolete.

Lyman Cast Bullet Handbook Third Edition Pg 271

158gr Linotype Bullet # 358311 (Linotype is significantly harder than #2)
IMR4227 Start 11.8gr 977fps max 17.0gr 1345fps 40,600cup
Blue Dot Start 8.2gr 888fps max 10.9gr 1316fps 39,200cup
H110 Start 13.0gr 1115fps max 18.3gr 1460fps 40,100cup

The Lyman Reloading Handbook 46th edition lists the same loads.

Hodgdon Data Manual Twenty-Fifth Edition pg 393

158gr-160gr Lead
H4227 start 13.0gr 1233fps max 15.0gr 1396 32,600cup

I skipped the rest as they tended to be around the 800 to 1000 fps range and I'm tired of typing. smile.gif

[carbide]

I melt down the lead collected at a local firing range. After a good rain the slugs from everybody firing at the target are usually washed out of the ground and are just laying on the top of the soil behind the target mounting rack.

I load the IMR4227 at 13.7gr. and normally go through the chronograph at 1200-1250 fps.

[carbide]

oops, double post

[ January 18, 2006, 11:14 AM: Message edited by: carbide ]

[uncletom]

Is the bullet capable of accepting a gas check? I shoot my .44's with a gas check on them. Very stiff load and little fouling. I have found, for my puposes that the hornidy gas checks work the best. Sorry, I cant help with the 357 load. My 20 year old single six has barly been fired. My .44 on the other hand is well broken in, like a comfortable shoe.

happy shooting.

ut

[chemistbert]

Nope. Plain base. I just need to spend more time with it and try different loads. Was hoping for a fast track is all.
Thanks everyone!

[Mitch]

bert just hear off to the gun shop with papre and pen.I think it is a lyman cast bullet reloading book this has all you need i am sure.You may want to keep it under 1200fps been there done that with lead bullets in my 357's to much leading the barrel for me.I shoot all jacketed stuff now buy them bulk and keep the price down a bit.Happy casting.
Bob