Load for .357 SD rounds using Speer Gold Dot 158 grain bullets

[joshearl]

I'm looking to work up a .357 load using the following components:


Speer Gold Dot 158 grain JHP bullet
CCI small pistol primer
Hodgdon Titegroup


The Hodgdon web loading data application only lists powder ranges for 158 grain Hornady XTP JHP bullets, with a powder range of 5.4 grains to 6.1 grains of powder.

Should I start at the low end of this range and load a few test rounds to check for pressure signs, then work up?

Links to online resources would be appreciated.

Josh

[zxcvbob]

The bullets are close enough in a large-capacity case like .357MAG. (That's one of the reasons they give you a range rather than a single number)

Why do you want to use Titegroup? Are you loading for a snubbie?

[grymster2007]

My understanding is that Speer Gold Dots and Hornady XTPs, both having the deep and large hollow, thereby increasing the overall bullet length, are treated the same.

[joshearl]

Titegroup is what I have right now. My two revolvers are a S&W Model 60 with a 2" barrel and a S&W Model 66 with a 4" barrel. I bought the Titegroup when I was just reloading for the snubbie.

I'm relatively new to reloading and wanted to get comfortable with one powder before I started experimenting with others.

I'd be interested in alternative powders that would perform better in my longer-barreled .357 while also being a.) relatively easy to get and b.) not position sensitive.

Suggestions?

Josh

[joshearl]

Is it normal to get flattened primers near the top end of the load range? I found that 6.0 and 5.8 grains of powder produced flattened primers, so I backed it off to 5.7. (I have also seen flattened primers on hot commercial hollowpoint ammo, so I'm thinking this might be normal for SD loads.)

Josh

[zxcvbob]

It's normal to get flattened primers in any revolver. The case head slams against the back of the frame. If it bothers you, use small rifle primers.

Bullseye, Unique, and Herco are also good powder choices if you're loading to .357 Magnum pressures. Probably 231 and AA#5 too, but I haven't tried those. Bullseye would be my first choice with a snubbie because it doesn't get squirrelly at the top end like most fast-burning powders, plus it will give you an extra 100+ fps compared to 231 or Titegroup, with lower pressure and about the same amount of powder.

[.45 COLT]

If you want some snap, I'd suggest Hodgdon LIL'GUN. 158 Grain Gold Dot, WSPM Primer and 17.5 Grains of LIL'GUN, I get 1,360 FPS from a Ruger Blackhawk, 4 5/8" Barrel. LIL'GUN is a little faster than W296/H110, produces MUCH less muzzle flash.

DC

[AlaskaMike]

I think you may be making a mistake going with a very fast burning powder like Titegroup for self defense ammo. Barrel length is irrelevant to the choice of powder burn rate--the slow burners will always give much higher velocity, even in short barrels.

You should look at powders like 2400 and others of similar burn rate. .45 Colt's suggestion of Lil' Gun is a good one.

Mike

[joshearl]

Wow, just compared the data on Hodgdon's site for Lil'Gun vs. TiteGroup. The max pressure is a lot lower on the Lil'Gun and the velocity is significantly higher.

Good call, guys. Thanks!

Josh

[zxcvbob]

Wow, just compared the data on Hodgdon's site for Lil'Gun vs. TiteGroup. The max pressure is a lot lower on the Lil'Gun and the velocity is significantly higher. This is true, the powder that give the highest velocity in a long barrel will also give the highest velocity in very short barrel. But as the barrel gets shorter, the difference in muzzle velocities gets smaller, and it's at the cost of much more flash and muzzle-blast from spewing out lots of unburnt powder. I think the mid-range powders provide the best compromise (Unique, Herco, WSF, #5, etc) Bullseye is a special case; it's a fast-burning powder that behaves more like a mid-slow powder.