What 357 range load are you using for practice?

[kingarthur]

Currently my LCR is at Ruger for service but in the meanwhile I would like to get some test loads ready for its return. I would like some suggestions for light range loads for enjoyment. Here's what i was thinking...

12.7gn 2400 powder 158gr LSWC regular SP primers

6.0gn W231 Powder 158gr LSWC regular SP primers

Please chime in if this seems wrong for light loads. I am willing to buy new powder for a easy load.

 

[kingarthur]

I just found a thread talking about the this subject. Member name Hammerdown77 had this to say:

5 grains of W231/HP38 under a 158 gr. LSWC is a great target load for .357. I actually had a little better accuracy using 4.5 grains.

For a more mid-level 357 load, 6.5 grains under that same bullet shoots GREAT out of my Smith 686 and Ruger Blackhawk flat top.

Standard small pistol primers used for both.

I would like to still hear from others

 

[Nowata]

4 gr. of Trail Boss and a 158gr. DEWC

 

[WESHOOT2]

I use mostly Universal.

 

[Jimbo357mag]

Agree: 5.0gr-6.0gr of Universal, HP-38, or W231 and a 158gr bullet.

Two more of my favorite sport shooters, better in longer barrels:

9.6gr of Blue Dot and a 158gr copper plated bullet.

13.0gr of Accurate #9 and a 158gr copper plated bullet.

all WSP primers, 1.575" COL. 8) 8)

...Jimbo

 

[Cholo]

7 grs. of that nasty Unique :wink: with a FB 160 gr. SWC.

 

[pps]

16.4 grains of H-110 with Zero 158 grain SJHP

14.0 of 2400 (14.5 in my Ruger...this is beyond published load data) with a HARD cast 358156 boolit.

OR my 38-44HD loading for .357 guns only, in 38 brass with 12.5 of 2400 with the 358156 bullet crimped on the lower groove. (DONT load these in a standard...or even a +p 38...these are for the 38-44 guns or .357 only)

And lastly, for a medium load in .357 I use 13 grains of 2400 with any 158 grain bullet.

 

[pps]

What's nasty about unique?

 

[Cholo]

What's nasty about unique?

There's a recent thread where someone mentioned how dirty Unique is. It does make your hands kinda black and the cylinder of the Colt SA .44 Special looked like I'd been shooting black powder. I still think it's a fine powder within its limitations.

 

[kingarthur]

I have a question. Should I use a crimp on a lighter load?

 

[Cholo]

Absolutely!

 

[8emem]

9.0 gr HS6, 158gr JHP, standard primers. Moderate recoil and very accurate.

 

[pps]

I used "nasty" because others did. It cleans up easy as falling off a bar stool. Don't ask how I know...

CDFingers

OK. I don't use Unique often, but have never had any issues when I did use it. I just got an 8# can of the stuff GIVEN to me, so I'll start using it for 38, .40cal for my dad, and MAYBE in .380 (have not decided on whether or not I'll bother with reloading this caliber for my CZ yet)

 

[Wyandot Jim]

I have a question. Should I use a crimp on a lighter load?

Yea lighter the load/bullet the more ya want to crimp makes all the powder burn.
I don't know what practice loads mean to a lot of members or an easy load. When I practice I shoot 400-500 rounds :wink: So I don't want beat to crap. I shoot for speed.
So here is my CAS load. 3.5 grs. of 700X or 4.0 of 231 with a 125 gr. bullet.
That will get ya about 775FPS out of a 51/2" Ruger and a joy to shoot. Add a .5 gr. and you will get 875. Have shot many thousands of them like in 30-40K. Cheap to load.
Jim

 

[kingarthur]

I have a question. Should I use a crimp on a lighter load?

Yea lighter the load/bullet the more ya want to crimp makes all the powder burn.
I don't know what practice loads mean to a lot of members or an easy load. When I practice I shoot 400-500 rounds :wink: So I don't want beat to crap. I shoot for speed.
So here is my CAS load. 3.5 grs. of 700X or 4.0 of 231 with a 125 gr. bullet.
That will get ya about 775FPS out of a 51/2" Ruger and a joy to shoot. Add a .5 gr. and you will get 875. Have shot many thousands of them like in 30-40K. Cheap to load.
Jim

4.0 of 231 sounds good at 775fps. I have 158 bullet, I may try 4.5 or would 4.0 work fine with 158?

 

[Wyandot Jim]

I have a question. Should I use a crimp on a lighter load?

Yea lighter the load/bullet the more ya want to crimp makes all the powder burn.
I don't know what practice loads mean to a lot of members or an easy load. When I practice I shoot 400-500 rounds :wink: So I don't want beat to crap. I shoot for speed.
So here is my CAS load. 3.5 grs. of 700X or 4.0 of 231 with a 125 gr. bullet.
That will get ya about 775FPS out of a 51/2" Ruger and a joy to shoot. Add a .5 gr. and you will get 875. Have shot many thousands of them like in 30-40K. Cheap to load.
Jim

4.0 of 231 sounds good at 775fps. I have 158 bullet, I may try 4.5 or would 4.0 work fine with 158?

Yea 4.0 will work fine. With CAS you are trying to control muzzle flip so you can stay on target. Powder doesn't make as much difference as bullet weight does. My favorite was a 100 gr. bullet with 4.5 of 231 and a tight crimp at 1000fps no flip and a lot of energy for knock down targets
Jim

 

[kingarthur]

I will work up a load of 4.0 w231 tomorrow. Thank for the info. In the future I plan on buying 125gr LSWC to try to practice with my carry ammo weight. Then again that may not matter.

 

[Sam Summey]

I use Skeeter's Load 7.5gr Unique, Lyman 358156 cast from wheel weights and a Hornady .35 gascheck in a .357 Mag case. If you are going to load 38 Special power loads use 38 Special cases. Unique has been "cleaned up" some but Hogdon's Universal Clays will provide the same versitility.

 

[Lee Martin]

5.0 of Green Dot with a 168 grain Keith.

 

[Rclark]

For a plinking load, Trail Boss powder works very well. 5.0g under 125g lead TC/SWC is the load I use in both .38Spec and .357.

 

[kingarthur]

For a plinking load, Trail Boss powder works very well. 5.0g under 125g lead TC/SWC is the load I use in both .38Spec and .357.

Funny thing, I was just talking to a buddy here at work and he uses trail boss for 45 colt. He loves it and I should try it. He suggests that its good for long case with little powder but it smells funny.

 

[Rclark]

I've shot quite a bit of TB in .45 Colt too. Here is some reading of pro/con, concerns, data, etc. we had on the other forum... Trail Boss Discussion

 

[Iron Mike Golf]

I like 12.9 gr 2400, WSP primers, and a 158 gr XTP out of my M28-2.

 

[kingarthur]

I've shot quite a bit of TB in .45 Colt too. Here is some reading of pro/con, concerns, data, etc. we had on the other forum... Trail Boss Discussion

Good reading on the thread about the Trail Boss. I see you tested SP-101 357... was that 4.2gn of TB with 158gr LSWC? How was that load for shooting?

Also I noticed that the Trail Boss looks like little donuts. Will that meter good in a progessive press powder hopper?

 

[Hammerdown77]

Trail boss smells like smelling salts to me (salt peter, I'm guessing).

I have had issues with metering out of a Lee Pro Auto Disk at the lower charge weights. I tried some light loads of it in .38 Special with a 125 grain bullet and got wild velocity variations, leading me to believe I had significant variations in thrown charge weight. At the 5.8 grain loading I use for 45 Colt, I don't have those issues. Thrown charge weights do not vary by more than a tenth of a grain, plus or minus.

You might throw your chosen charge into ten cases, then weigh them all on the scale. If you are getting large variations, then you'll have to use another powder drop, or some other charging method.

 

[Rclark]

was that 4.2gn of TB with 158gr LSWC? How was that load for shooting?

I did all my testing with my .357 50th Flattop. When my dad was out one day, I ran the 125g load over the chrono with his SP-101. I don't remember anything bad about the 4.2g load. Was plenty 'light' however! If I have time, I'll check my notes to see if I have any 'comments'.

Can't help you with the metering.... Some have real problems with it, others don't. I did learn with my Hornady powder measure I have to use my larger insert (normally for rifle) in the powder measure. TB does not like small powder drops.

 

[revhigh]

Practice or real .... same load for me. Top of the scale 2400 158 grain JHP rounds.

REV

 

[phonejack]

I follow this advise given to me by an old "high master" competitor.
PRACTICE WITH WHAT YOU ARE GOING TO SHOOT
SHOOT WHAT YOU PRACTICE WITH

 

[Wyandot Jim]

I follow this advise given to me by an old "high master" competitor.
PRACTICE WITH WHAT YOU ARE GOING TO SHOOT
SHOOT WHAT YOU PRACTICE WITH

.Geeeeeeeeeeee I wonder why most LEOs shoot the wimpy loads like in 38 wad cutters to qualify??? Last I checked they carried full house loads.
Yea you are correct. Must be why I always quaified with a full house 44 Mag. :wink: Couldn't do a score of 300 but at least a 275 or so :wink:
Jim

 

[revhigh]

Most LEO's aren't gun guys, and they most likely wouldn't qualify with their full house duty ammo.

In my experience ... at least at my club .... you can count on LEOs being about the worst shot on the range on any given day.

Some are into it, but most consider a gun just something that they HAVE to carry.

REV