Powder load for lee 105 gr- 357 magnum

[adanac]

I'm using the lee 105 grain swc for 9mm, 38 spl. I want to use the same bullet in my 357 magnum. Lyman lists 7.9 grain of Win 231 as a starting load for this bullet. On another forum a poster stated he was using 4.5 gr of
Win 231 for the 105 gr bullet. I'm new at reloading and the 4.5 gr appeals to me for a light load but I'm a bit leery to try it. Is it possible that the bullet could get lodged in the barrel with that small amount of powder? I tried contacting the poster to see if it was a typo but I haven't received a response. What do you guys think?

 

[contender]

Welcome to the Forum!
Such a light powder charge could cause other problems besides a lodged bullet. In fact, when you load such a light charge, and when there is so much space in the case, the powder will lay in the bottom of the length of the case. That creates a large area for the primer spark to jump across all the powder at once, which could POSSIBLY cause a overpressure spike. If you go with such light loads, may I suggest you either use just 38 spl cases, AND use a case filler such as poly fiber fill. (Read crafter pillow stuffing. A small ball of it inserted on top of the powder allows the powder to rest against the flash hole as it should.)
As always, follow all safety rules and published reloading data.

 

[Jimbo357mag]

The Hodgdon online website shows a start load of 4.6gr of W231/HP-38 for a 125gr lead bullet so you should be good with that.

http://data.hodgdon.com/cartridge_load.asp

125 GR. CAST LRNFP Winchester 231 .358" 1.580" 4.6gr 1052fps 13,800 CUP - 5.5gr 1185fps 18,800 CUP

Although what contender said is generally true, W231/HP-38 can be used with light loads in the 357mag without problems. You might notice some powder position sensitivity but not enough to cause you problems. I would not go lower than 4.6gr. I shoot 5.0gr with a 158gr bullet all the time for a light load around 1000fps. 8) 8)

...Jimbo

 

[WESHOOT2]

I would not start so low with that 105g in a 357 case.
I would start higher. Like 6.0g W231, standard primer.

 

[triker]

Jimbo, I would like to load up some 357 loads with your data here. 5 gr. W231 and 158 gr SWC. Would I be ok using non-magnum primers with it? All I have at moment is the standard small pistol primers and don't plan to load to magnum levels anyway. Harry

 

[Jimbo357mag]

Jimbo, I would like to load up some 357 loads with your data here. 5 gr. W231 and 158 gr SWC. Would I be ok using non-magnum primers with it? All I have at moment is the standard small pistol primers and don't plan to load to magnum levels anyway. Harry

Yep, 'Standard Small Pistol' primers are fine for all loads of W231/HP-38. In fact there are only a few Max loads of very slow powder that require 'Magnum' primers as noted in the other thread. 8)

...Jimbo

 

[adanac]

Thanks for all the replies. I'll try a starting load of 6 gr. with the 105 grain
SWC. I don't think that will get me in any trouble.

 

[GP100man]

Hodgdons CLAYS was made for this (not really) but it is the most position insensitive powder I`ve used , bar none !!

I`ve been as low as 3gr. behind a 158 gr rnfp no problems except it was a bit sooty , cleaned up at 3.5 gr.

That tells me I was very close to the low point of it working with that particular revolver & boolit .

If I were to try low weights of powder under the little 105 I`d crimp it till it squealed !!!

 

[Flash]

I've found a load of 3.5 grains of 231 in a 38 special case below a 110 grain cast bullet. This produces around 850 FPS so 4.5 grains in a 357 should produce around the same thing or a little less. Most published data attempts to keep the cartridge on the upper end of it's potential, unless you find data specifically intended for light cast loads. HP38/231 has a fast burn rate that is pretty consistent with reduced loads. It's faster than Unique and reduced loads of Unique are safe in the 357 mag. To lodge a cast bullet in the barrel of a handgun, you have to be way down below 400 fps. I chronographed loads in my handguns at 300 fps before and they had power to spare after zipping down 6" of barrel.

 

[Mobuck]

IF I was going to use this bullet in the 357 case, I'd use Titegroup. It is designed to work well with small amounts in a large case and is not position sensitive.

 

[JustsayMo]

W231 has been an excellent reduced load powder for me. Recently I've been using it in 308 and getting good results out of my Gunsite Scout Rifle.



The bullets are the Lyman 311284 (210gr) and 311041 (170gr). A smaller charge than what has been discussed is used and the velocity is very consistent (SD between 10-20). Average velocity is 560 fps. Makes for a fun, reduced report, no recoil, training/plinking/vermin load that shoots POA out to 25 yards. It is still accurate beyond that but requires hold over or sight adjustment.

I haven't used it in 357 but it works great in 45 ACP, 38 spl and especially good in 32 H&R Mag at published starting load levels on up.

 

[Chief 101]

I have had success with light loads of 231. IMOGM serves me fairly a 38special case with 125g lead and 3.3g 231 kicks like 22short and has been a good tool for breaking in new shooters to larger bore revolvers. MEO.
Chief aka Maxx Load

IMOGM=if my old guy memory
MEO=my experience only

 

[MidLife]

Is there a reason for the "deemed" light for caliber bullet?

 

[GP100man]

Midlife

Some cast lite boolits to conserve lead , some use lite boolits to shoot small game & some use lite boolits because there easier to get out the barrel with lite powder loads thus less noise .

I have a round ball load that`s quieter than a 22short !!