.357 Cast Reloading Report

doc540 · July 4, 2013, 04:42 PM

1968 yob

Loaded both 158gr SWC and 148gr DEWC's with 4.0, 4.5, 5.0 Win231 in. .357 cases.

In both weight bullets 4.5gr shot the most accurately at 25yds from a semi-rest.

148gr w/4.5 averaged 864pfs

Next step it to shoot 50yd silhouettes with it.

andyjr11 · July 9, 2013, 02:59 PM

The reason for no replies is, your shooting 38 special loads out of a Colt Python 357 magnum. If you look at the picture of the gun you will see a small tear in it's left eye.

doc540 · July 9, 2013, 03:01 PM

"a small tear"

Paul B. · July 9, 2013, 03:38 PM

Doc. If you have some, try 5.0 g. of Unique with that 158 gr. bullet. Mild shooting and very accurate in my S&W .357 Mag. My full power load is 14.0 gr. of Alliant #2400.
BTW, nice gun and a very nice group.One does not have to shoot full power rompin' stompin' load to have fun or get a little practice. The late great Elmer Keith was known to shoot heavy loads in his .44 magnums. What he almost never said was that his practice load was 5.0 grains of Unique with his 240 gr. cast bullet.

He said they hit to the same point of impact as his full power load at 25 yards. The S&W M29 and M629 do not take too kindly to steady diet of Elmer's load. You can ask me how I know about that one.

Paul B.

doc540 · July 9, 2013, 03:44 PM

Thanks for the info.

Only powders I have in hand right now are Win231 for my pistols and Varget for my .223 rifles.

Salmoneye · July 9, 2013, 03:55 PM

5gr Red Dot with that 158 in a .357 case is about as fun as it gets...

ozo · July 10, 2013, 03:22 PM

Which primer...magnum or not ?

doc540 · July 10, 2013, 03:58 PM

standard SPP's

Salmoneye · July 11, 2013, 05:43 AM

If you were asking me about my Red Dot suggestion, there is no need for mag primers...

ozo · July 11, 2013, 09:58 AM

Thanks, both of you.
I was just wondering, sometimes it matters.[duplicating]
I use a lot of W231 and SPP in my handguns and have
enjoyed the simplicity it offers between them.
Only in some hot loads do I ever alter this.

July 4, 2013, 04:42 PM	#1
doc540 Senior Member Join Date: December 30, 2007 Location: Texas Posts: 1,430	.357 Cast Reloading Report 1968 yob Loaded both 158gr SWC and 148gr DEWC's with 4.0, 4.5, 5.0 Win231 in. .357 cases. In both weight bullets 4.5gr shot the most accurately at 25yds from a semi-rest. 148gr w/4.5 averaged 864pfs Next step it to shoot 50yd silhouettes with it. __________________ Shooting more, typing less

July 9, 2013, 03:01 PM	#3
doc540 Senior Member Join Date: December 30, 2007 Location: Texas Posts: 1,430	"a small tear" __________________ Shooting more, typing less

July 9, 2013, 03:38 PM	#4
Paul B. Senior Member Join Date: March 28, 1999 Location: Tucson, AZ Posts: 3,802	Doc. If you have some, try 5.0 g. of Unique with that 158 gr. bullet. Mild shooting and very accurate in my S&W .357 Mag. My full power load is 14.0 gr. of Alliant #2400. BTW, nice gun and a very nice group.One does not have to shoot full power rompin' stompin' load to have fun or get a little practice. The late great Elmer Keith was known to shoot heavy loads in his .44 magnums. What he almost never said was that his practice load was 5.0 grains of Unique with his 240 gr. cast bullet. He said they hit to the same point of impact as his full power load at 25 yards. The S&W M29 and M629 do not take too kindly to steady diet of Elmer's load. You can ask me how I know about that one. Paul B. __________________ COMPROMISE IS NOT AN OPTION!

July 9, 2013, 03:44 PM	#5
doc540 Senior Member Join Date: December 30, 2007 Location: Texas Posts: 1,430	Thanks for the info. Only powders I have in hand right now are Win231 for my pistols and Varget for my .223 rifles. __________________ Shooting more, typing less

July 10, 2013, 03:58 PM	#8
doc540 Senior Member Join Date: December 30, 2007 Location: Texas Posts: 1,430	standard SPP's __________________ Shooting more, typing less

July 9, 2013, 02:59 PM	#2
andyjr11 Member Join Date: March 27, 2013 Posts: 40	The reason for no replies is, your shooting 38 special loads out of a Colt Python 357 magnum. If you look at the picture of the gun you will see a small tear in it's left eye.

July 9, 2013, 03:55 PM	#6
Salmoneye Senior Member Join Date: December 31, 2011 Location: Vermont Posts: 2,076	5gr Red Dot with that 158 in a .357 case is about as fun as it gets...

July 10, 2013, 03:22 PM	#7
ozo Member Join Date: July 9, 2013 Location: Nashville TN Posts: 48	Which primer...magnum or not ?

July 11, 2013, 05:43 AM	#9
Salmoneye Senior Member Join Date: December 31, 2011 Location: Vermont Posts: 2,076	If you were asking me about my Red Dot suggestion, there is no need for mag primers...

July 11, 2013, 09:58 AM	#10
ozo Member Join Date: July 9, 2013 Location: Nashville TN Posts: 48	Thanks, both of you. I was just wondering, sometimes it matters.[duplicating] I use a lot of W231 and SPP in my handguns and have enjoyed the simplicity it offers between them. Only in some hot loads do I ever alter this.