357 with CFE

[Hylander]

Anyone use CFE with 158gr. For the 357.
I tried 5.8 but at 25yds it was about 4" groups if that. Tomorrow going to try 6.0 and 6.2

 

[NC FNS]

FWIW, just loaded 125 gr 38 spec with CFE and Silhouette. CFE didn’t group as well for me as the Silhouette.

 

[Wvfarrier]

I did not care for cfe in my magnums.

 

[Rclark]

I liked 6.0gr (1045fps, ES 26, shots 15) and 6.5gr CFE (1097fps, ES 34, shots 15) under 158gr SWC from my test notes. If using CFE Pistol, I'd go with 6.5gr in my guns. Tested in BH 6 1/2" barrel. Standard CCI primer is what I use. A 'magnum' revolver is nothing more than a .38 that you can load hot, so load to the velocity 'you' prefer (from 500fps to 1xxxfps ) . Tested from 5.0gr to 7.5gr. YMMV of course. Don't use 'light' bullets so can't help with 125gr 'ers.

 

[greenmtnguy]

I gave had good results with 45ACP, 45 Colt in my Blackhawks and Charter Arms, and 38 Spl, but haven't tried 357 loads yet. Seems to do best for me either at max, or just .1 to .2 grains below max with lead bullets. Pretty consistent

 

[Hylander]

Tried up to 6.4 but still not good.
Guess I should go a bit higher.
I tried some BE86 today, 7.3 and 7.4
In a BH. Did pretty good, under 2" except for one chamber throwing a flyer left from 2-6 inches. Checked it several times, yep same chamber.

 

[Rclark]

All guns are different. What works for me, may not work for others . Hope you run onto a load that works well. I never tested BE-86 in .357. I did in .44s and .45s though and liked it.