need some .357 loading advice

mtinner · May 13, 2015, 05:50 PM

I just got me some alliant 2400 for loading up some .357 using 158 gr. swc. I'm reading some conflicting information, so I wanted to come to the experts. What would be the starting and max. load for this? I'm thinking I want to start with 13 gr.
Thanks
I also have some Remington no.1 1/2 small pistol primers. Will they work or do I need magnum primers?

skizzums · May 13, 2015, 06:05 PM

I have hodgdons manual, it would be the same as you get from their website at hodgdons.com.

joneb · May 13, 2015, 10:59 PM

What are you shooting these from? What is the BHN of the bullet?
I use SPP or Federal gm-200 with 2400 in 357 mag, a mag primer is not necessary. I would think 13gr of 2400 would be a good start, I would try 12.8 first.

Gadawg88 · May 13, 2015, 11:20 PM

12.8 gn is my load for 158gn LSWC with 2400, small pistol primer. Magnum primers are not called for with 2400.

reddog81 · May 13, 2015, 11:24 PM

What conflicting info are you seeing? What kind of bullets are you using - plated, lead, jacketed, other?

I'd trust reloading manuals over Internet advice. If the manuals have wildly conflicting info there should be other published sources you can consult. If the info is just slightly different it's probably OK to consider one load conservative and the other load on the hot side.

mtinner · May 14, 2015, 06:52 AM

Those sound like the numbers that I was thinking of using. I'm shooting them thru a Ruger Gp100 with 158 gr lswc. I loaded up 6 rounds and I'll be taking them out to the range this morning. I guess I was a little concerned because I didn't see my specific bullet listed or I somehow missed it.
Thanks for the info.

madmo44mag · May 14, 2015, 07:13 AM

13.0 gr 2400 under a 158gr SWC is a good load.
No mag primer needed and a good roll crimp and you will be good to go.

TimSr · May 14, 2015, 07:26 AM

The conflicting data on "lead" bullets is because they vary so much in hardness. Lyman load data is based on their hard cast alloy. Most other sources are based on cold swaged bullets. The max load will highly depend on what specific 158gr SWC you are using.

mtinner · May 14, 2015, 08:43 AM

Just got back from the range and things went well. Seems that 13 grains is right where I want to be with these bullets. These are the same bullets that I use loading .38 special with 700x powder and I would like to keep things. Okay, off to town to get me some more bullets. Thanks for all of the replies guys, this is a great forum with a lot of knowledgeable people.

mmb713 · May 14, 2015, 11:00 PM

Magnum primers are not called for with 2400 but the Remington 1 1/2 should NOT be used to load 357 Magnum, especially high pressure loads of 2400. The primer cup of the Remington 1 1/2 is too soft for this application and Remington specifically advises against this and this caveat is printed on the packaging. Their 5 1/2 primer has the same chemical composition as the 1 1/2 but has a harder cup and is the Remington primer recommended for 357 Magnum. I've had pierced 1 1/2 primers in 357 using Universal. I quickly switched to the 5 1/2 but prefer the CCI500.

mtinner · May 15, 2015, 07:45 AM

What happened when the primer was pierced? Is it a big safety issue?

mmb713 · May 15, 2015, 07:29 PM

There was fouling around the firing pin. Over time hot gases escaping from the primer could cause erosion and damage the gun. Remington warns not to use their 1 1/2 primer in 357 Magnum. I believe them.

mtinner · May 16, 2015, 07:07 AM

thanks for the reply. I guess I'm off to get me some different primers.

May 13, 2015, 05:50 PM	#1
mtinner Member Join Date: April 10, 2015 Posts: 29	need some .357 loading advice I just got me some alliant 2400 for loading up some .357 using 158 gr. swc. I'm reading some conflicting information, so I wanted to come to the experts. What would be the starting and max. load for this? I'm thinking I want to start with 13 gr. Thanks I also have some Remington no.1 1/2 small pistol primers. Will they work or do I need magnum primers? Last edited by mtinner; May 13, 2015 at 06:06 PM. Reason: and a primer question.

May 13, 2015, 06:05 PM	#2
skizzums Senior Member Join Date: July 1, 2013 Location: Douglasville, Ga Posts: 4,615	I have hodgdons manual, it would be the same as you get from their website at hodgdons.com. __________________ My head is bloody, but unbowed

May 14, 2015, 07:13 AM	#7
madmo44mag Senior Member Join Date: December 29, 2008 Location: Ft.Worth, Texas Posts: 1,522	13.0 gr 2400 under a 158gr SWC is a good load. No mag primer needed and a good roll crimp and you will be good to go. __________________ Texas - Not just a state but an attitude! For monthly shooting events in DFW visit http://www.meetup.com/TexasGunOwner-DFW

May 13, 2015, 10:59 PM	#3
joneb Senior Member Join Date: December 10, 2005 Location: Central , OR Posts: 1,888	What are you shooting these from? What is the BHN of the bullet? I use SPP or Federal gm-200 with 2400 in 357 mag, a mag primer is not necessary. I would think 13gr of 2400 would be a good start, I would try 12.8 first.

May 13, 2015, 11:20 PM	#4
Gadawg88 Senior Member Join Date: March 2, 2013 Location: Georgia Posts: 241	12.8 gn is my load for 158gn LSWC with 2400, small pistol primer. Magnum primers are not called for with 2400.

May 13, 2015, 11:24 PM	#5
reddog81 Senior Member Join Date: October 16, 2014 Location: Iowa Posts: 1,634	What conflicting info are you seeing? What kind of bullets are you using - plated, lead, jacketed, other? I'd trust reloading manuals over Internet advice. If the manuals have wildly conflicting info there should be other published sources you can consult. If the info is just slightly different it's probably OK to consider one load conservative and the other load on the hot side.

May 14, 2015, 06:52 AM	#6
mtinner Member Join Date: April 10, 2015 Posts: 29	Those sound like the numbers that I was thinking of using. I'm shooting them thru a Ruger Gp100 with 158 gr lswc. I loaded up 6 rounds and I'll be taking them out to the range this morning. I guess I was a little concerned because I didn't see my specific bullet listed or I somehow missed it. Thanks for the info.

May 14, 2015, 07:26 AM	#8
TimSr Senior Member Join Date: March 8, 2013 Location: Rittman, Ohio Posts: 2,074	The conflicting data on "lead" bullets is because they vary so much in hardness. Lyman load data is based on their hard cast alloy. Most other sources are based on cold swaged bullets. The max load will highly depend on what specific 158gr SWC you are using.

May 14, 2015, 08:43 AM	#9
mtinner Member Join Date: April 10, 2015 Posts: 29	Just got back from the range and things went well. Seems that 13 grains is right where I want to be with these bullets. These are the same bullets that I use loading .38 special with 700x powder and I would like to keep things. Okay, off to town to get me some more bullets. Thanks for all of the replies guys, this is a great forum with a lot of knowledgeable people.

May 14, 2015, 11:00 PM	#10
mmb713 Senior Member Join Date: March 15, 2011 Location: Salt Lake City, UT Posts: 421	Magnum primers are not called for with 2400 but the Remington 1 1/2 should NOT be used to load 357 Magnum, especially high pressure loads of 2400. The primer cup of the Remington 1 1/2 is too soft for this application and Remington specifically advises against this and this caveat is printed on the packaging. Their 5 1/2 primer has the same chemical composition as the 1 1/2 but has a harder cup and is the Remington primer recommended for 357 Magnum. I've had pierced 1 1/2 primers in 357 using Universal. I quickly switched to the 5 1/2 but prefer the CCI500.

May 15, 2015, 07:45 AM	#11
mtinner Member Join Date: April 10, 2015 Posts: 29	What happened when the primer was pierced? Is it a big safety issue?

May 15, 2015, 07:29 PM	#12
mmb713 Senior Member Join Date: March 15, 2011 Location: Salt Lake City, UT Posts: 421	There was fouling around the firing pin. Over time hot gases escaping from the primer could cause erosion and damage the gun. Remington warns not to use their 1 1/2 primer in 357 Magnum. I believe them.

May 16, 2015, 07:07 AM	#13
mtinner Member Join Date: April 10, 2015 Posts: 29	thanks for the reply. I guess I'm off to get me some different primers.