38 Special & .357 Rifle Loads

flstfi · September 5, 2005, 11:15 AM

I recently started back reloading. I have a Ruger#1 chambered in .357 mag. I want to make it a tack driver at 100 yards. I have a good parallex correcting scope. The oiny thing missing is a reliable load. I tried 18 grs of H110 pushing a 125gr jhp and its all over the paper (4 inch group). ANY SUGGESTIONS????

Robert M Boren Sr · September 5, 2005, 11:37 AM

Try the 158 gr bullets or the laser cast 180gr bullets behind 2400, or W231. You should get good results from that combo.

grendelbane · September 5, 2005, 11:37 AM

My first suggestion would be to try a heavier bullet. I would try a 158 and a 180.

Heavier bullets are usually longer, which may make for a better relationship to the twist of your rifling.

Heavier bullets will also usually give better terminal ballistic performance when shot from a rifle length barrel.

If you go to cast bullets, there are some heavier designs available.

k in AR · September 5, 2005, 01:28 PM

I have always had the best results with the 357 in a rifle using max (or near max) charges on slow powder (I.e. a full case powder) with 158gr and up weight bullets. 296 was always good but your H110 is also very nice, and the Speer 180gr Silhouette bullet really flies nice. Speer manual # 12 is a good place to start.

jacobtowne · September 5, 2005, 01:49 PM

I agree about using slower powders. I've been using Blue Dot in .357 loads for more than 20 years. Excellent stuff and clean burning.
JT

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September 5, 2005, 11:15 AM	#1
flstfi Member Join Date: March 28, 2005 Location: California Posts: 44	38 Special & .357 Rifle Loads I recently started back reloading. I have a Ruger#1 chambered in .357 mag. I want to make it a tack driver at 100 yards. I have a good parallex correcting scope. The oiny thing missing is a reliable load. I tried 18 grs of H110 pushing a 125gr jhp and its all over the paper (4 inch group). ANY SUGGESTIONS????

September 5, 2005, 11:37 AM	#2
Robert M Boren Sr Senior Member Join Date: December 29, 2004 Location: NW Montana Posts: 269	Try the 158 gr bullets or the laser cast 180gr bullets behind 2400, or W231. You should get good results from that combo.

September 5, 2005, 11:37 AM	#3
grendelbane Member Join Date: August 8, 2005 Posts: 66	My first suggestion would be to try a heavier bullet. I would try a 158 and a 180. Heavier bullets are usually longer, which may make for a better relationship to the twist of your rifling. Heavier bullets will also usually give better terminal ballistic performance when shot from a rifle length barrel. If you go to cast bullets, there are some heavier designs available.

September 5, 2005, 01:28 PM	#4
k in AR Senior Member Join Date: October 12, 1999 Location: Arkansas USA Posts: 436	I have always had the best results with the 357 in a rifle using max (or near max) charges on slow powder (I.e. a full case powder) with 158gr and up weight bullets. 296 was always good but your H110 is also very nice, and the Speer 180gr Silhouette bullet really flies nice. Speer manual # 12 is a good place to start.

September 5, 2005, 01:49 PM	#5
jacobtowne Senior Member Join Date: July 14, 2005 Location: New England Posts: 277	I agree about using slower powders. I've been using Blue Dot in .357 loads for more than 20 years. Excellent stuff and clean burning. JT