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Old March 14, 2009, 11:18 PM   #26
RamSlammer
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Join Date: November 5, 2008
Location: Arkansas
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I like Accurate #2, Unique and Win 231 in .38 special . . . .Accurate #7 and Power Pistol for .357's.
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Old March 15, 2009, 07:59 AM   #27
James R. Burke
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If you want some full power loads for the .357mag try som Win-296 that is the big boom powder!
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Old March 16, 2009, 05:40 PM   #28
doulos
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Today I shot some handloads out of my 6 inch Dan Wesson. I was using Hornady 158 grain lead SWC in both loads out of PMC .38 special cases. I used Accurate Arms #5 in one load and Unique in another load. Both were at the minimum suggested by the 49th edition of the Lyman manual. At 20 yards off hand I was surprised the AA#5 load turned in better groups. I didnt expect to see that off hand so more testing needs to be done. All Accurate Arms powders Ive tried seem to work well. In .357 mag AA#9 works well, so will AA#7. Today I also shot a very accurate Alliant 2400 .357 load. I usually load it about 1 grain above the listed minimums and get very good accuracy.
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Old March 18, 2009, 12:44 AM   #29
y5e06
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Join Date: August 26, 2008
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Thanks all, I've been following these responses.
I went ahead and picked up 1lb of bullseye for $21, locally. I figure the vast majority of my loading will be .38 and light .357 for the near future as I start out. I can pick up some 2400 later for those full house loadings.
I'll be checking back on this thread when I decide to try more powders.
brass - check
powder - check
primers - check (ack! only bought 200 for now at $0.04 each)
158grn cast LSWC on the way
4 die set - back ordered! dang....
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Old April 5, 2009, 05:22 PM   #30
y5e06
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well, finally got everything together including FINALLY getting the press and other hard parts. Worked up some loads last week and finally got to the range today.
158gr LSWC
various 1x shot brass
Federal LP primers
3.0, 3.2, and 3.5gr of bullseye in .38spc
5.0 and 5.5 gr of bullseye in .357

ran the .38spc in a 4" Dan Wesson, 1 7/8" Smith 638, and 3" Taurus 66
the .357 loads were used in "The Dan" and "The Bull"
(I also ran some .32S&W Longs in my old S&W Hand Ejector)

All in all, I'm quite pleased. All the various loadings went down the tubes with out a hitch, and quite frankly, were pretty darn accurate. I think for the next range visit I'll focus on loading the vast majority with 3.5gr under the 158gr SWC for those .38 cases. I'll also fix up a few slightly hotter loads to try out as those mentioned wheel guns are rated for either .38 +P or .357mag.
But, from what I'm used to, that Bullseye is quite smokey and dirty. I'll just have to clean 'em a bit more.

I'm HOOKED with this reloading stuff! The proof is in the pudding. much cheaper than factory ammo, and from my experience today quite accurate as well.

Thanks for all the suggestions
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