.357 data needed

whitebb · March 18, 2006, 08:41 AM

I am loading some .357, but I have no data for the bullets I have. They are 125grn lead Flatpoints made by Tennessee Valley Bullets. I primarily use Alliant Bluedot, but also have Red Dot and Bullseye on hand. Also, if you have data on .38 spl.
Much Appreciated. Not only I, but my Colt king Cobra, Detective Spl, and Smith 27-2 thank you

drvector · March 18, 2006, 04:36 PM

Greetings whitebb,

Since you’ve appear to have a couple of Alliant powders, I would suggest that you try the Alliant web site: http://www.alliantpowder.com/. Under their “reloading” section they cover loads for large number of cartridge and bullet types.

**Unclenick** · March 18, 2006, 04:45 PM

I've shot a lot of 148 grain .38 wadcutters for bullseye target. The loads were:

2.7 grains of Bullseye for .38 spl.
3.5 grains of Bullseye for .357 mag.

Raise the charges a couple tenths for 125 grain bullets, and you'll have a light plinking and target load. I don't know if that was your objective, though?

Nick

whitebb · March 18, 2006, 08:07 PM

Plinking. I just want to use these bullets up, but can't find any load data. Alliant does not have any data for this particular bullet, and neither does my Speer #13. I have searched the net and found nothing.

Whitworth · March 19, 2006, 10:30 AM

The powder companies have loads right on the internet for free. No need to buy their "reloading book".
My one reloading book is from the manufacturer of my reloading equipment, which I refer to from time to time, when setting up the dies for reloading purposes.

"Alliant does not have any data for this particular bullet"
Whitebb, where did you ever get that idea, that your "special bullet" needs a "special" handload?

45-70 · March 19, 2006, 11:00 AM

Edited to delete misinformation.

45-70 · March 19, 2006, 01:54 PM

The Lyman Piston & Revolver handbook has 125 gr lead bullet loads for .357. I was trying to copy some loads earlier and was messing them up, but if you can find someone to loan you that Lyman book, you will be set. I think it has Blue Dot and Bullseye loads.

8ring · March 19, 2006, 04:15 PM

Alliant's 2002 Reloading Manual doesn't have a load for .357mag with 125gr lead bullets. Its maximum load for 148gr lead wadcutter is 5.7gr at 34,000 psi. I don't use Bullseye but would think that reducing that load by 15%-20% would give a good, medium-speed load with your lighter bullets.

Chris

Baldilocks · March 19, 2006, 08:51 PM

I have loaded alot of 38 and agree with other posts. If you are looking for a great light plinker, the 148 wadcutter is an excellent choice. I load 3.0 gr of Hogden HP-38. It has almost no recoil and is very clean burning. No fun to beat yourself up with your loads.

On the sig round, I use lead 125 Bearcreek bullets that are a molyencrusted hard cast lead with AA#5. I use 8.5gr. Link to their site....

http://www.accuratepowder.com/data/P...0and%20104.pdf

The round is a very picky round to load. Make sure you use a good case gauge (available just about anywhere) and pay attention to OAL!

Good luck and if you need any help, let me know! It is my favorite caliber!

Baldilocks

Bobshouse · March 20, 2006, 04:12 PM

whitebb, If you cant find any loads using those powders, I recommend you try purchasing another can of powder made by a manufacturer you CAN find loading data for. To risky to mess around with something that could ruin the rest of your life for a measly $15.00 per pound.

I have about 6 different powders in my garage (reloading room) that I use for various loads, believe me, you will not waste the powders you have by not using it up right away.

Bob

whitebb · March 20, 2006, 04:17 PM

I agree with you Bobshouse. The problem was I couldn't find ANY load data period for that Bullet. Powder is cheap and I can always buy other brands locally.( Alliant is just what I normally use) Luckily A friend of mine had some data for that bullet and copied it for me. Appreciate the responses!!

Leftoverdj · March 20, 2006, 04:22 PM

Sometimes I have trouble believing the stuff I read here. A cast bullet is a cast bullet and a brand change of the same weight ain't gonna matter. Neither is the difference between a 121 and 125 grain bullet.

In a .38 Special case, 3.5-5.0 grains of Bullseye or Red Dot. In the .357 case, 10.5 grains of Blue Dot.

AlaskaMike · March 20, 2006, 07:49 PM

I think the issue isn't the difference in brand name or a grain or two difference in weight--I think the real issue is if one of the bullets extends deeper into the case moreso than the other (ie, reducing case volume).

Mike

Leftoverdj · March 20, 2006, 10:29 PM

Mike, big whoop! We ain't talking WC; we're talking 125 grain bullets. We ain't talking tiny cases; we're talking .38 Special and .357 Mag. A tenth of an inch or so in seating depth ain't enough to worry about with these cases.

AlaskaMike · March 21, 2006, 02:12 PM

Ah, okay--good to know. At this early stage in my reloading I'm pretty anal about seating depths, especially with the faster powders.

Mike

Leftoverdj · March 21, 2006, 03:57 PM

Mike, that ain't a bad thing in a new reloader. There are places where small changes can make big differences; this just ain't one of them. In .380 or .45 ACP, I might be concerned about a difference in seating depth. In .38 Special, about the most a small change can do is bump a standard load up to +P, and, most of the time, it won't even do that.

45-70 · March 21, 2006, 08:06 PM

I'll try again with copying from this Lyman book:

For .357, from Lyman mold 358093, 125 gr lead, loaded to 1.585 in OAL

Start loads:

Bullseye 5.5 grains indicates 890 fps from 4 inch bbl, 26,800 CUP

Blue Dot 9.0 grains indicates 854 fps from same bbl, 19,800 CUP
--------------------------------------------------------------

For .38 Spl, from Lyman mold 356242, 120 gr lead, loaded to 1.450 OAL

Start Loads:

Bullseye 2.8 grains, 690 fps, from 4 inch bbl, 8,600 CUP

Red Dot 3.3 grain, 749 fps, same bbl, 10,100 CUP

Like Leftoverdj, I don't think there is much difference between 120 gr lead bullet and 125.

But you should get a couple of books and check it out yourself. I don't think I miscopied anything this time, but I do lack supervision (wife gone to church for choir practice). Oh yeah, that noise you hear in the background is the case tumbler running -- she can't stand the noise when she's here.

March 18, 2006, 04:36 PM	#2
drvector Member Join Date: March 28, 2005 Location: Northeast Posts: 69	Alliant powders Greetings whitebb, Since you’ve appear to have a couple of Alliant powders, I would suggest that you try the Alliant web site: http://www.alliantpowder.com/. Under their “reloading” section they cover loads for large number of cartridge and bullet types. __________________ Regards kdb

March 18, 2006, 04:45 PM	#3
Unclenick Staff Join Date: March 4, 2005 Location: Ohio Posts: 21,057	I've shot a lot of 148 grain .38 wadcutters for bullseye target. The loads were: 2.7 grains of Bullseye for .38 spl. 3.5 grains of Bullseye for .357 mag. Raise the charges a couple tenths for 125 grain bullets, and you'll have a light plinking and target load. I don't know if that was your objective, though? Nick __________________ Gunsite Orange Hat Family Member CMP Certified GSM Master Instructor NRA Certified Rifle Instructor NRA Benefactor Member and Golden Eagle

March 19, 2006, 11:00 AM	#6
45-70 Senior Member Join Date: June 23, 2005 Location: Dallas TX area Posts: 310	Alliant Books Are Free Edited to delete misinformation.

March 19, 2006, 01:54 PM	#7
45-70 Senior Member Join Date: June 23, 2005 Location: Dallas TX area Posts: 310	Lyman Pistol & Revolver Book The Lyman Piston & Revolver handbook has 125 gr lead bullet loads for .357. I was trying to copy some loads earlier and was messing them up, but if you can find someone to loan you that Lyman book, you will be set. I think it has Blue Dot and Bullseye loads.

March 21, 2006, 08:06 PM	#17
45-70 Senior Member Join Date: June 23, 2005 Location: Dallas TX area Posts: 310	Lyman Pistol & Revolver Handbook, 3rd Ed I'll try again with copying from this Lyman book: For .357, from Lyman mold 358093, 125 gr lead, loaded to 1.585 in OAL Start loads: Bullseye 5.5 grains indicates 890 fps from 4 inch bbl, 26,800 CUP Blue Dot 9.0 grains indicates 854 fps from same bbl, 19,800 CUP -------------------------------------------------------------- For .38 Spl, from Lyman mold 356242, 120 gr lead, loaded to 1.450 OAL Start Loads: Bullseye 2.8 grains, 690 fps, from 4 inch bbl, 8,600 CUP Red Dot 3.3 grain, 749 fps, same bbl, 10,100 CUP Like Leftoverdj, I don't think there is much difference between 120 gr lead bullet and 125. But you should get a couple of books and check it out yourself. I don't think I miscopied anything this time, but I do lack supervision (wife gone to church for choir practice). Oh yeah, that noise you hear in the background is the case tumbler running -- she can't stand the noise when she's here.

March 18, 2006, 08:41 AM	#1
whitebb Senior Member Join Date: March 18, 2006 Location: ga Posts: 313	.357 data needed I am loading some .357, but I have no data for the bullets I have. They are 125grn lead Flatpoints made by Tennessee Valley Bullets. I primarily use Alliant Bluedot, but also have Red Dot and Bullseye on hand. Also, if you have data on .38 spl. Much Appreciated. Not only I, but my Colt king Cobra, Detective Spl, and Smith 27-2 thank you

March 18, 2006, 08:07 PM	#4
whitebb Senior Member Join Date: March 18, 2006 Location: ga Posts: 313	Plinking. I just want to use these bullets up, but can't find any load data. Alliant does not have any data for this particular bullet, and neither does my Speer #13. I have searched the net and found nothing.

March 19, 2006, 10:30 AM	#5
Whitworth Member Join Date: May 29, 2005 Posts: 46	advantage of the internet The powder companies have loads right on the internet for free. No need to buy their "reloading book". My one reloading book is from the manufacturer of my reloading equipment, which I refer to from time to time, when setting up the dies for reloading purposes. "Alliant does not have any data for this particular bullet" Whitebb, where did you ever get that idea, that your "special bullet" needs a "special" handload?

March 19, 2006, 04:15 PM	#8
8ring Member Join Date: October 26, 2002 Location: Denver, CO Posts: 84	Alliant's 2002 Reloading Manual doesn't have a load for .357mag with 125gr lead bullets. Its maximum load for 148gr lead wadcutter is 5.7gr at 34,000 psi. I don't use Bullseye but would think that reducing that load by 15%-20% would give a good, medium-speed load with your lighter bullets. Chris

March 19, 2006, 08:51 PM	#9
Baldilocks Junior Member Join Date: March 19, 2006 Location: Reno NV Posts: 6	I have loaded alot of 38 and agree with other posts. If you are looking for a great light plinker, the 148 wadcutter is an excellent choice. I load 3.0 gr of Hogden HP-38. It has almost no recoil and is very clean burning. No fun to beat yourself up with your loads. On the sig round, I use lead 125 Bearcreek bullets that are a molyencrusted hard cast lead with AA#5. I use 8.5gr. Link to their site.... http://www.accuratepowder.com/data/P...0and%20104.pdf The round is a very picky round to load. Make sure you use a good case gauge (available just about anywhere) and pay attention to OAL! Good luck and if you need any help, let me know! It is my favorite caliber! Baldilocks

March 20, 2006, 04:12 PM	#10
Bobshouse Senior Member Join Date: September 29, 2000 Location: CalaBANALLGUNSifornia Posts: 336	whitebb, If you cant find any loads using those powders, I recommend you try purchasing another can of powder made by a manufacturer you CAN find loading data for. To risky to mess around with something that could ruin the rest of your life for a measly $15.00 per pound. I have about 6 different powders in my garage (reloading room) that I use for various loads, believe me, you will not waste the powders you have by not using it up right away. Bob

March 20, 2006, 04:17 PM	#11
whitebb Senior Member Join Date: March 18, 2006 Location: ga Posts: 313	I agree with you Bobshouse. The problem was I couldn't find ANY load data period for that Bullet. Powder is cheap and I can always buy other brands locally.( Alliant is just what I normally use) Luckily A friend of mine had some data for that bullet and copied it for me. Appreciate the responses!!

March 20, 2006, 04:22 PM	#12
Leftoverdj Senior Member Join Date: October 15, 2004 Posts: 934	Sometimes I have trouble believing the stuff I read here. A cast bullet is a cast bullet and a brand change of the same weight ain't gonna matter. Neither is the difference between a 121 and 125 grain bullet. In a .38 Special case, 3.5-5.0 grains of Bullseye or Red Dot. In the .357 case, 10.5 grains of Blue Dot.

March 20, 2006, 07:49 PM	#13
AlaskaMike Senior Member Join Date: September 26, 2005 Posts: 941	I think the issue isn't the difference in brand name or a grain or two difference in weight--I think the real issue is if one of the bullets extends deeper into the case moreso than the other (ie, reducing case volume). Mike

March 20, 2006, 10:29 PM	#14
Leftoverdj Senior Member Join Date: October 15, 2004 Posts: 934	Mike, big whoop! We ain't talking WC; we're talking 125 grain bullets. We ain't talking tiny cases; we're talking .38 Special and .357 Mag. A tenth of an inch or so in seating depth ain't enough to worry about with these cases.

March 21, 2006, 02:12 PM	#15
AlaskaMike Senior Member Join Date: September 26, 2005 Posts: 941	Ah, okay--good to know. At this early stage in my reloading I'm pretty anal about seating depths, especially with the faster powders. Mike

March 21, 2006, 03:57 PM	#16
Leftoverdj Senior Member Join Date: October 15, 2004 Posts: 934	Mike, that ain't a bad thing in a new reloader. There are places where small changes can make big differences; this just ain't one of them. In .380 or .45 ACP, I might be concerned about a difference in seating depth. In .38 Special, about the most a small change can do is bump a standard load up to +P, and, most of the time, it won't even do that.

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