.357 Henry Rifle - Smaller or larger bullet?

Marty D. · August 11, 2016, 08:05 AM

Reloading .357 bullets w/ N110 Vihta powder, No. 550 CCI magnum small pistal primers and No. 517 Magnus 158 grain lead bullets. I went from 13.5 to 15 gr of powder w/ 13.5 giving most accuracy but not good enough at 25 yards (6" spread). Should I increase or decrease bullet weight for more accuracy?

Snyper · August 11, 2016, 10:21 AM

You should try as many different loads and projectiles as you can until you find those that both meet your accuracy expectations, and are capable of doing what you want them to do (hunting, targets, self defense, etc)

I'd expect at least 2-3" 100 yard groups.

mikld · August 11, 2016, 11:12 AM

Slug the barrel and measure the slug with micrometers. Measure the diameter of your cast bullets. For clean, accurate shooting the bullet should be larger than the groove diameter. Can't go larger or smaller if you don't kmow what ya got now...

T. O'Heir · August 11, 2016, 03:01 PM

You don't need magnum primers for that powder. Isn't likely to matter, but try a standard primer.
However, just changing the bullet weight won't necessarily affect accuracy much. A great deal depends on what barrel length you're shooting and the trigger.
You may want to change powders as well. N110 isn't listed by Vihtavuori as a cast 158 .357 rifle or handgun powder. Is for jacketed 158's though.

1100 tac · August 11, 2016, 08:20 PM

N110 works fine under cast 158's, esp. in K frames.

buck460XVR · August 11, 2016, 08:45 PM

As T. O'Heir said, changing bullet weight won't affect accuracy that much, especially since the .357 was designed around a 158gr projectile. You may need a larger or smaller bullet, but not by weight, but diameter since it's lead you're shooting. My suggestion is to try a good quality jacketed bullet first to see what kind of accuracy the gun is capable of. Hornady XTPs are fairly inexpensive, available almost everywhere and very accurate, especially from a carbine. Once you get them shooting well, you can go back to trying lead. As mikld suggested, slug your bore first, before trying lead again, otherwise, you may be just be stabbing in the dark.

Chaz88 · August 11, 2016, 11:16 PM

When I was working on loads for my .357 lever action I was using mostly 2400 and 158grn plated bullets. I did not want to push them too hard but I found that as I increased the powder accuracy got better. Every gun can be a bit different in this regard. I think the advice to try a jacketed bullet is good and if you can I would also try a couple different powders.

For H-110 I would use a magnum primer but not for most others.

g.willikers · August 13, 2016, 12:19 PM

On the other hand, I've found that lead bullets are the most accurate in .38s.
148 to 158 grain semi wadcutters seem the very best.
Properly sized and loaded, of course.

Hammerhead · August 13, 2016, 02:31 PM

Magnus #517 is a soft swaged lead bullet not meant for magnum velocities. I'm surprised you're not getting severe leading. The swaged bullets can be very accurate, but are best kept to 1,000 fps or less.

I use Magnus' #515 swaged LSWC-HP as my primary 357 defensive load, but it just gets 5.5 grains Unique and I give it a coat of liquid alox as a second lube.

If you want to use lead bullets at magnum velocities, get a good cast bullet, like the Magnus #503, otherwise choose a different powder and reduce the speed. Unique, Universal, Bullseye, Trail Boss, Red Dot, HP-38 would all be good choices with the Magnus #517.

Marty D. · August 14, 2016, 03:08 PM

I appreciate the feedback. Thanks...

Jeffm004 · August 15, 2016, 08:23 AM

i like 158 plated/jsp. unique, no load data here but if you pm me, ill look it up in a week. deathby powerpoint this week.

August 11, 2016, 08:05 AM	#1
Marty D. Junior Member Join Date: August 10, 2016 Posts: 2	.357 Henry Rifle - Smaller or larger bullet? Reloading .357 bullets w/ N110 Vihta powder, No. 550 CCI magnum small pistal primers and No. 517 Magnus 158 grain lead bullets. I went from 13.5 to 15 gr of powder w/ 13.5 giving most accuracy but not good enough at 25 yards (6" spread). Should I increase or decrease bullet weight for more accuracy?

August 11, 2016, 10:21 AM	#2
Snyper Senior Member Join Date: December 16, 2013 Location: Eastern NC Posts: 3,047	You should try as many different loads and projectiles as you can until you find those that both meet your accuracy expectations, and are capable of doing what you want them to do (hunting, targets, self defense, etc) I'd expect at least 2-3" 100 yard groups. __________________ One shot, one kill

August 11, 2016, 11:12 AM	#3
mikld Senior Member Join Date: February 7, 2009 Location: Southern Oregon! Posts: 2,891	Slug the barrel and measure the slug with micrometers. Measure the diameter of your cast bullets. For clean, accurate shooting the bullet should be larger than the groove diameter. Can't go larger or smaller if you don't kmow what ya got now... __________________ My Anchor is holding fast! I've learned how to stand on my own two knees...

August 11, 2016, 03:01 PM	#4
T. O'Heir Senior Member Join Date: February 13, 2002 Location: Canada Posts: 12,453	You don't need magnum primers for that powder. Isn't likely to matter, but try a standard primer. However, just changing the bullet weight won't necessarily affect accuracy much. A great deal depends on what barrel length you're shooting and the trigger. You may want to change powders as well. N110 isn't listed by Vihtavuori as a cast 158 .357 rifle or handgun powder. Is for jacketed 158's though. __________________ Spelling and grammar count!

August 11, 2016, 11:16 PM	#7
Chaz88 Senior Member Join Date: January 4, 2010 Posts: 1,243	When I was working on loads for my .357 lever action I was using mostly 2400 and 158grn plated bullets. I did not want to push them too hard but I found that as I increased the powder accuracy got better. Every gun can be a bit different in this regard. I think the advice to try a jacketed bullet is good and if you can I would also try a couple different powders. For H-110 I would use a magnum primer but not for most others. __________________ Seams like once we the people give what, at the time, seams like a reasonable inch and "they" take the unreasonable mile we can only get that mile back one inch at a time. No spelun and grammar is not my specialty. So please don't hurt my sensitive little feelings by teasing me about it.

August 11, 2016, 08:20 PM	#5
1100 tac Senior Member Join Date: February 7, 2012 Posts: 299	N110 works fine under cast 158's, esp. in K frames.

August 11, 2016, 08:45 PM	#6
buck460XVR Senior Member Join Date: December 28, 2006 Posts: 4,342	As T. O'Heir said, changing bullet weight won't affect accuracy that much, especially since the .357 was designed around a 158gr projectile. You may need a larger or smaller bullet, but not by weight, but diameter since it's lead you're shooting. My suggestion is to try a good quality jacketed bullet first to see what kind of accuracy the gun is capable of. Hornady XTPs are fairly inexpensive, available almost everywhere and very accurate, especially from a carbine. Once you get them shooting well, you can go back to trying lead. As mikld suggested, slug your bore first, before trying lead again, otherwise, you may be just be stabbing in the dark.

August 13, 2016, 12:19 PM	#8
g.willikers Senior Member Join Date: September 28, 2008 Posts: 10,442	On the other hand, I've found that lead bullets are the most accurate in .38s. 148 to 158 grain semi wadcutters seem the very best. Properly sized and loaded, of course. __________________ Walt Kelly, alias Pogo, sez: “Don't take life so serious, son, it ain't nohow permanent.”

August 13, 2016, 02:31 PM	#9
Hammerhead Senior Member Join Date: May 31, 2004 Location: Minnesota Posts: 2,432	Magnus #517 is a soft swaged lead bullet not meant for magnum velocities. I'm surprised you're not getting severe leading. The swaged bullets can be very accurate, but are best kept to 1,000 fps or less. I use Magnus' #515 swaged LSWC-HP as my primary 357 defensive load, but it just gets 5.5 grains Unique and I give it a coat of liquid alox as a second lube. If you want to use lead bullets at magnum velocities, get a good cast bullet, like the Magnus #503, otherwise choose a different powder and reduce the speed. Unique, Universal, Bullseye, Trail Boss, Red Dot, HP-38 would all be good choices with the Magnus #517.

August 14, 2016, 03:08 PM	#10
Marty D. Junior Member Join Date: August 10, 2016 Posts: 2	Good Info I appreciate the feedback. Thanks...

August 15, 2016, 08:23 AM	#11
Jeffm004 Senior Member Join Date: August 22, 2013 Location: SW Ohio Posts: 255	i like 158 plated/jsp. unique, no load data here but if you pm me, ill look it up in a week. deathby powerpoint this week.