I'm new and looking to get into reloading for my New Vaquero .357 and was wondering if anyone had experience reloading .38 Special rounds as well as .357 rounds. If you could point me in the right direction as to what type of powder, bullet, and primer you recommend for both loads I would greatly appreciate it. I am also looking for what your favorite load weight is for both rounds as well. Thank you.
38 Sp/357 reloading gear preferences
- Thread starter Huey86
- Start date
Pal Val
Buckeye
Not specifically for a Vaquero, but you bring up perhaps the most forgiving round to reload. Yoy can use just about any hardware, and there are hundreds of possible load combinations.
Instead of giving you a load, I would like to recommend that you get a couple reloading manuals and looked up the loads available. The list is huge.
Pardon me if I don't give you a load, but I believe in the old "Give a man a fish and he'll eat one day, teach him how to fish and he'll never go hungry".
One hint: The sights in that gun are regulated for 158 grain bullets. That's a good starting point.
Best of luck!
Instead of giving you a load, I would like to recommend that you get a couple reloading manuals and looked up the loads available. The list is huge.
Pardon me if I don't give you a load, but I believe in the old "Give a man a fish and he'll eat one day, teach him how to fish and he'll never go hungry".
One hint: The sights in that gun are regulated for 158 grain bullets. That's a good starting point.
Best of luck!
GP100man
Buckeye
I like Lees powder thru system for handgun ammo.
Mount a autodisc measure or pro measure on top of the flaring die & do 2 steps in 1
The factory crimp die is not needed for straight walled revolver loading .
For both 38&357 research WW231/HP-38 for powder , either 1 will do the same as there the same powder under different labels .
Those 2 powders will fill the bill except for the upper range 357 loads .
I concur with PalVal , reloading with out the "homework" & manuals is like diving head first into almost deep enuff water!
If it`s 1 peice of equipment that you really need it`s a good set of beam scales, the rest is just stuff!!
Have Fun , but Be Safe doing it !!!!
Mount a autodisc measure or pro measure on top of the flaring die & do 2 steps in 1
The factory crimp die is not needed for straight walled revolver loading .
For both 38&357 research WW231/HP-38 for powder , either 1 will do the same as there the same powder under different labels .
Those 2 powders will fill the bill except for the upper range 357 loads .
I concur with PalVal , reloading with out the "homework" & manuals is like diving head first into almost deep enuff water!
If it`s 1 peice of equipment that you really need it`s a good set of beam scales, the rest is just stuff!!
Have Fun , but Be Safe doing it !!!!
tiger955
Single-Sixer
+1 on the beam scale, I weigh every charge but am probably over cautious. You still need it to make sure whatever charge method you use is dropping the right amount. I use mostly Lee stuff, I like their dippers for powder but they don't always have the right size for the charge you want, got to weigh it to be sure.
I have a Lee and a Lyman scale, like the Lyman much better.
I also like Hodgdon HP-38 for 38 and 357 loads, except for real Magnum loads I like H-110 in the 357.
I have a Lee and a Lyman scale, like the Lyman much better.
I also like Hodgdon HP-38 for 38 and 357 loads, except for real Magnum loads I like H-110 in the 357.
Jimbo357mag
Hawkeye
Best advise: Read-up on as much as you can and get lots of recommendations here before you start buying. I think the starter re-loading kits with single stage presses is the way to go but you might have some other ideas as to what equipment you might ultimately like to have.
Reloading die sets will do both 38 special and 357 magnum with just some re-adjustment. The powder, bullets and primers are a personal choice like what is you favorite recipe for BBQ sauce.
I think there is a sticky at the top of this section of the forum on getting started in reloading. Good luck, keep us posted, we are here to help you.
A good internet sight to browse what is available in the reloading market is : http://www.midwayusa.com/ 8) 8)
Reloading die sets will do both 38 special and 357 magnum with just some re-adjustment. The powder, bullets and primers are a personal choice like what is you favorite recipe for BBQ sauce.
I think there is a sticky at the top of this section of the forum on getting started in reloading. Good luck, keep us posted, we are here to help you.
A good internet sight to browse what is available in the reloading market is : http://www.midwayusa.com/ 8) 8)
Lost Sheep
Single-Sixer
You have received all good advice so far. The best thing I can add is to advise you to do what I have done. None of my .357 guns have ever seen a single round of 38 special brass(except for the one box of 50 in 1976). They have seen 80-90% of those .357 cartridge cases loaded to 38 special pressures and velocities, but these were all in .357 casesHuey86 said:
As long as I label my boxes, it keeps things simpler. One size brass, one setting for my dies, the powder charge varies.
Lost Sheep
I know it has been said and pointed out several time, but it is very important - you can never have too many reloading manuals - start low and work up. The more data you have, the better. I will also +1 with Lost Sheep - my 357's never see 38 special brass. I know there are a lot that shoot 38's from their 357, but the brass cost the same, bullets cost the same and reduced 357 loadds with light bullets take about the same amount of powder. I know if you shoot 22 shorts in a 22 long rifle, eventually you will wear down the chamber and a 22 lr case will get stuck in the gun - I do not know if the same is true with a 357 shooting 38 loads, but I do not want to take that chance when it cost no more to load light 357 rounds.
Lee Martin
Hunter
I shoot a lot of Green Dot in 357. 6.5 grains with a 168 grain Keith and 5.5 under a 200 grain hardcast.
Welcome to the forum.
I shoot mostly mid range lead loads in .357 with velocities around 900 fps.
.357 brass only. Hodgdon's Universal is my main powder for .357 and other calibers.
I use 158 grain Hornady swaged lead bullets, they are excellent for mid range loads.
Primers don't seem to make much difference, I use CCI 500 small pistol primers (non-magnum).
As far as charges, I would recommend getting at least two load books. The Lyman reloading manual should be one, exellent intructions and data. The Hodgdon annual reloading manual in the magazine rack is the one I get most of my data from.
I shoot mostly mid range lead loads in .357 with velocities around 900 fps.
.357 brass only. Hodgdon's Universal is my main powder for .357 and other calibers.
I use 158 grain Hornady swaged lead bullets, they are excellent for mid range loads.
Primers don't seem to make much difference, I use CCI 500 small pistol primers (non-magnum).
As far as charges, I would recommend getting at least two load books. The Lyman reloading manual should be one, exellent intructions and data. The Hodgdon annual reloading manual in the magazine rack is the one I get most of my data from.
Bucks Owin
Hunter
Lee Martin said:
10X...I like GD in a variety of calibers for less than full tilt, clean burning (and accurate!) loads....
The fast stuff is powered by W296...(H110) :wink:
WESHOOT2
Hunter
-LEE Carbide 3-die set.
-Redding Profile Crimp Die.
-CCI550 for Magnum loads; Federal for everything else.
-Hodgdon Universal for everything from soft-recoiling 'Cowboy'-data ammo to 38 Special/357 high-performance ammo.
-H110 for Magnum high-performance ammo, or AA9.
-Hornady XTP-HP bullets for hunting; bigger animals get heavier bullets; all-around weight 140g.
-Remington 125g S-JHP for people.
Safety glasses when touching anything other than paper; no exceptions.
-Redding Profile Crimp Die.
-CCI550 for Magnum loads; Federal for everything else.
-Hodgdon Universal for everything from soft-recoiling 'Cowboy'-data ammo to 38 Special/357 high-performance ammo.
-H110 for Magnum high-performance ammo, or AA9.
-Hornady XTP-HP bullets for hunting; bigger animals get heavier bullets; all-around weight 140g.
-Remington 125g S-JHP for people.
Safety glasses when touching anything other than paper; no exceptions.
