Help building first 357 handload

Blue Duck357 · July 14, 2002, 07:00 PM

Finally after all these years got the SDB ordered

now I guess it's time to pick up the actual materials to roll my own. What I'm looking for is a good "plinking/practice/all around" loads for my two 357s a 4" Model 19 and a 3" Model 65.

Off hand I was thinking about a 158/160 Grain semi-wadcutter at somwhere from 900-1100 FPS from my 4" gun (although I'm open to other suggestions). I know I could make cheaper loads but am thinking that with proper powders these loads would be light enough to not stress the K-frames that much but still make me feel I'm taking advantage of the "357" on the side as opposed to "38" if that makes sense.

Powder wise I've read good things about 296,231,universal clays, and VV-350. Looking for something clean and that meters well mainly I guess. Any suggestions for what I'm trying to do???

Bullet wise I'm a little short on choices at this time. Laser Cast offers the shape and weight, but not many post on them any ideas there too???

Any and all help appreciated,

Blueduck

stans · July 14, 2002, 09:16 PM

The loads that you are considering sound good for plinking loads. I might suggest shooting for 900 fps with 158 gr bullets. This equates to a 38 Special +P+ load and should not harm a K frame Smith & Wesson. I can't give you any specifics on loads since all my stuff is packed up and ready to move to my new house. I recently worked up loads using 148gr lead DEWC over 3.6 gr of W-231, WSP primers and Federal 357 Magnum cases. Very accurate and pleasant to shoot.

claypigeon · July 14, 2002, 09:55 PM

Blueduck

My experience with mag loads are that you would want to use a powder that fills the case at least half way. (slow burning powders) 296 fits the bill even though I havent used it thru my S&Ws. I use h110 . I would stay away from anything with a burning rate faster than unique or universal clays. Dont know about V V powders. With the universal you would get a clean burning powder, it also has a little more versitility,( use it for more handguns).
I have shot thousands of laser casts over the years,no complaints. I have started to shoot west coast jacketed more just to reduce my exposure to lead. They make a good product.
Just remember safety first when reloading, and stick to published data. Start on the low side and work up till there are signs of pressure or a max load is reached. ENJOY!!

Claypigeon

Gewehr98 · July 14, 2002, 10:05 PM

For my .357 Desert Eagle. I mean serious - close to 1600fps. I played with a bunch of the .357 Magnum recommended powders, to include WW296, H110, AA#7, Alliant 2400, and then came back to WW296 - it's the cleanest burning and fills the case nicely.

For the Magnum K-Frame, (Model 19), I use WW296, too, just nowhere near as much of it as when I load for the Desert Eagle. The Model 19's a good gun, arguably one of the best in the revolver world, but it's just not set up for a steady diet of hot .357 fodder.

LAH · July 15, 2002, 04:55 AM

A load I've used for years in my K frame .357's is the 170 grain Keith and 5.5 grains of 231. This is a low pressure load that gives 1000-1050 fps in most 4" barrels. I've never shot a .357 that didn't like this load. While no were near full power it does however take the 100 yard ram down with with ease.

braindead0 · July 15, 2002, 07:15 AM

For practice and IDPA I'm using 4.3gr Bullseye behind 158 SWC and RN. Clocks at 850fps from my 2" and about 900fps from 4" ported tracker.

sundog · July 15, 2002, 10:08 AM

Blue Duck, one of my all time favorite .357 loads is a 156 gr SWC (Lyman 358156) and HS-7. Excellent general purpose load, accurate, and clean. sundog

cheygriz · July 15, 2002, 11:48 AM

Try the hodgdon manual "starting load" with HS-6 for those 158-170 lead bullets. A good stout load, but it won't beat up your K-Frame. HS-7 is also excellent, but you'll need more of it. Herco is another good possibility.

I would not personally use Bullseye, 231, HP38 or anything else in that burning range for what you seek.

BTW, if you ever decide you want a full power defense load, try the Remington 125 JHP, and work up to 1500FPS (four inch barrel) with AAC#9. This is a spitfire!!! My six inch Ruger Security Six gives me over 1600 FPs with this combo, and the empties fall out of the cylinder, so pressure is well below max.

Good luck!!!!

Blue Duck357 · July 16, 2002, 09:51 PM

Thanks for all the help, much appreciated

LAH, If you don't mind me asking are you casting your own 170 grain SWC's or ordering them somwhere?? I've tried to find some heaver than 158, but the only thing I run into are the 180 grain hunting loads.

Chief Jones · July 16, 2002, 10:18 PM

My usual load for 158 LSWHP's is 6 grains of Universal.

LAH · July 17, 2002, 04:40 AM

Blue Duck we cast our own. For years I shot the Lyman 358429 at 173 grains. This bullet with a big dose of 2400 or H-110 in a 6 1/2 inch Blackhawk gives new meaning to the name .357 Mag. I also use it for steel targets because it was accurate. I bought the mould new in 1973. This 4 cavity mould had a couple of the cavities that weren't what they should have been so I'm now using the NEI #146 mould. This is also a great bullet. The main difference is the lube groove is a little shallower on the latter. You can see this bullet on my site.

Johnny Guest · July 17, 2002, 11:38 AM

If you plan to load .357 cases, a very good load is the 160 LSWC and 7.0 gr. Unique. It runs out at about 1100-odd from a 4", a little warmer than +P .38s, but very pleasant to shoot, and is quite accurate in both my Colt and S&W. There's something about that weight bullet/powder combo that seems to leave very little leading, and most of the fouling is just soot.

If you use .38 Spl cases, same bullet with 5.0 gr. Unique is a +P level load--a mite warm for light frame revolvers but very nice in a K-frame.

Best of luck--
Johnny Guest

tonyz · July 18, 2002, 09:28 PM

Universal Clays
V V N340
W-231
Bullseye

These are all great powder for the 45ACP

Tony

Ala Dan · July 19, 2002, 04:13 AM

Greeting's Blue Duck 357,

May I recommend the use of UNIQUE powder. Nasty burning
as all get out; but very versatile. Do a search under "Load
Your Own" for the proper data for a 158 grain SWC design.

Have Fun, Stay Safe, and Shoot Straight-

Best Wishes,
Ala Dan, N.R.A. Life Member

WESHOOT2 · July 19, 2002, 04:56 AM

(Alan, we gotta move you...............to try UC.

)

Bullets: www.pennbullets.com

Case: any

Primer: any

Powder: Hodgdon Universal Clays, clean-burning, easy-metering alternative to Unique, but virtually the same performance. Accurate, versatile, just modern (forget Unique).

Suggest 5-6.0g Universal Clays, 158g LSWC, finish load using 'medium' crimp from Redding Profile Crimp die.

July 14, 2002, 09:55 PM	#3
claypigeon Member Join Date: August 26, 2001 Location: spokane wa Posts: 40	357 loads Blueduck My experience with mag loads are that you would want to use a powder that fills the case at least half way. (slow burning powders) 296 fits the bill even though I havent used it thru my S&Ws. I use h110 . I would stay away from anything with a burning rate faster than unique or universal clays. Dont know about V V powders. With the universal you would get a clean burning powder, it also has a little more versitility,( use it for more handguns). I have shot thousands of laser casts over the years,no complaints. I have started to shoot west coast jacketed more just to reduce my exposure to lead. They make a good product. Just remember safety first when reloading, and stick to published data. Start on the low side and work up till there are signs of pressure or a max load is reached. ENJOY!! Claypigeon

July 14, 2002, 10:05 PM	#4
Gewehr98 Senior Member Join Date: June 30, 2000 Location: Token Creek, WI Posts: 4,067	I'm running some serious 158gr stuff... For my .357 Desert Eagle. I mean serious - close to 1600fps. I played with a bunch of the .357 Magnum recommended powders, to include WW296, H110, AA#7, Alliant 2400, and then came back to WW296 - it's the cleanest burning and fills the case nicely. For the Magnum K-Frame, (Model 19), I use WW296, too, just nowhere near as much of it as when I load for the Desert Eagle. The Model 19's a good gun, arguably one of the best in the revolver world, but it's just not set up for a steady diet of hot .357 fodder. __________________ "Bother", said Pooh, as he chambered another round... Neural Misfires

July 15, 2002, 07:15 AM	#6
braindead0 Senior Member Join Date: February 28, 2002 Location: Canton, Oh Posts: 896	For practice and IDPA I'm using 4.3gr Bullseye behind 158 SWC and RN. Clocks at 850fps from my 2" and about 900fps from 4" ported tracker. __________________ DoD# 2223 Meum scapha volitare plenum anguillae

July 15, 2002, 11:48 AM	#8
cheygriz Senior Member Join Date: May 11, 2002 Location: high up in the rockies Posts: 2,289	Try the hodgdon manual "starting load" with HS-6 for those 158-170 lead bullets. A good stout load, but it won't beat up your K-Frame. HS-7 is also excellent, but you'll need more of it. Herco is another good possibility. I would not personally use Bullseye, 231, HP38 or anything else in that burning range for what you seek. BTW, if you ever decide you want a full power defense load, try the Remington 125 JHP, and work up to 1500FPS (four inch barrel) with AAC#9. This is a spitfire!!! My six inch Ruger Security Six gives me over 1600 FPs with this combo, and the empties fall out of the cylinder, so pressure is well below max. Good luck!!!! __________________ If you think a mighty military force is expensive, wait 'til you see what a weak one costs.

July 17, 2002, 11:38 AM	#12
Johnny Guest Moderator in Memoriam Join Date: August 28, 1999 Location: North Texas Posts: 4,123	Blue Duck - - - If you plan to load .357 cases, a very good load is the 160 LSWC and 7.0 gr. Unique. It runs out at about 1100-odd from a 4", a little warmer than +P .38s, but very pleasant to shoot, and is quite accurate in both my Colt and S&W. There's something about that weight bullet/powder combo that seems to leave very little leading, and most of the fouling is just soot. If you use .38 Spl cases, same bullet with 5.0 gr. Unique is a +P level load--a mite warm for light frame revolvers but very nice in a K-frame. Best of luck-- Johnny Guest

July 14, 2002, 07:00 PM	#1
Blue Duck357 Senior Member Join Date: October 6, 2000 Posts: 1,460	Help building first 357 handload (bullet and powder) Finally after all these years got the SDB ordered now I guess it's time to pick up the actual materials to roll my own. What I'm looking for is a good "plinking/practice/all around" loads for my two 357s a 4" Model 19 and a 3" Model 65. Off hand I was thinking about a 158/160 Grain semi-wadcutter at somwhere from 900-1100 FPS from my 4" gun (although I'm open to other suggestions). I know I could make cheaper loads but am thinking that with proper powders these loads would be light enough to not stress the K-frames that much but still make me feel I'm taking advantage of the "357" on the side as opposed to "38" if that makes sense. Powder wise I've read good things about 296,231,universal clays, and VV-350. Looking for something clean and that meters well mainly I guess. Any suggestions for what I'm trying to do??? Bullet wise I'm a little short on choices at this time. Laser Cast offers the shape and weight, but not many post on them any ideas there too??? Any and all help appreciated, Blueduck Last edited by Blue Duck357; July 14, 2002 at 09:43 PM.

July 14, 2002, 09:16 PM	#2
stans Senior Member Join Date: November 9, 2001 Location: Virginia, USA Posts: 838	The loads that you are considering sound good for plinking loads. I might suggest shooting for 900 fps with 158 gr bullets. This equates to a 38 Special +P+ load and should not harm a K frame Smith & Wesson. I can't give you any specifics on loads since all my stuff is packed up and ready to move to my new house. I recently worked up loads using 148gr lead DEWC over 3.6 gr of W-231, WSP primers and Federal 357 Magnum cases. Very accurate and pleasant to shoot.

July 15, 2002, 04:55 AM	#5
LAH Senior Member Join Date: March 22, 2002 Location: In The Hardwoods Posts: 1,188	A load I've used for years in my K frame .357's is the 170 grain Keith and 5.5 grains of 231. This is a low pressure load that gives 1000-1050 fps in most 4" barrels. I've never shot a .357 that didn't like this load. While no were near full power it does however take the 100 yard ram down with with ease.

July 15, 2002, 10:08 AM	#7
sundog Senior Member Join Date: November 22, 1999 Location: Green Country, OK Posts: 782	Blue Duck, one of my all time favorite .357 loads is a 156 gr SWC (Lyman 358156) and HS-7. Excellent general purpose load, accurate, and clean. sundog __________________ safety first

July 16, 2002, 09:51 PM	#9
Blue Duck357 Senior Member Join Date: October 6, 2000 Posts: 1,460	Thanks for all the help, much appreciated LAH, If you don't mind me asking are you casting your own 170 grain SWC's or ordering them somwhere?? I've tried to find some heaver than 158, but the only thing I run into are the 180 grain hunting loads.

July 16, 2002, 10:18 PM	#10
Chief Jones Senior Member Join Date: February 15, 2002 Location: Wewahitchka, FL Posts: 218	My usual load for 158 LSWHP's is 6 grains of Universal.

July 17, 2002, 04:40 AM	#11
LAH Senior Member Join Date: March 22, 2002 Location: In The Hardwoods Posts: 1,188	Blue Duck we cast our own. For years I shot the Lyman 358429 at 173 grains. This bullet with a big dose of 2400 or H-110 in a 6 1/2 inch Blackhawk gives new meaning to the name .357 Mag. I also use it for steel targets because it was accurate. I bought the mould new in 1973. This 4 cavity mould had a couple of the cavities that weren't what they should have been so I'm now using the NEI #146 mould. This is also a great bullet. The main difference is the lube groove is a little shallower on the latter. You can see this bullet on my site.

July 18, 2002, 09:28 PM	#13
tonyz Senior Member Join Date: January 29, 2000 Location: Wa Posts: 922	Universal Clays V V N340 W-231 Bullseye These are all great powder for the 45ACP Tony __________________ Nothing Ventured Nothing Gained

July 19, 2002, 04:13 AM	#14
Ala Dan Member in memoriam Join Date: August 13, 1999 Location: In The HOT, Humid, and Mu Posts: 6,116	Greeting's Blue Duck 357, May I recommend the use of UNIQUE powder. Nasty burning as all get out; but very versatile. Do a search under "Load Your Own" for the proper data for a 158 grain SWC design. Have Fun, Stay Safe, and Shoot Straight- Best Wishes, Ala Dan, N.R.A. Life Member

July 19, 2002, 04:56 AM	#15
WESHOOT2 Senior Member Join Date: February 20, 1999 Location: home on the range; Vermont (Caspian country) Posts: 14,324	FORGET UNIQUE (Alan, we gotta move you...............to try UC. ) Bullets: www.pennbullets.com Case: any Primer: any Powder: Hodgdon Universal Clays, clean-burning, easy-metering alternative to Unique, but virtually the same performance. Accurate, versatile, just modern (forget Unique). Suggest 5-6.0g Universal Clays, 158g LSWC, finish load using 'medium' crimp from Redding Profile Crimp die. __________________ . "all my ammo is mostly retired factory ammo"

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