.357 loads for Rossi lever gun

E

ELMOUSMC

New member
I am looking for a load for my Rossi 20 in lever gun.I have a Blackhawk that I have a load for that performs really well 1+inch groups at 50 yards,1100+or -fps 10.4 grains 2400 with a cast 158 gr swc
That load does not get it when run through my Rossi,accuracy is poor 2-3 inch groups at 50 yards with a few flyers.I would like to to get a load that I could load for both guns that would not over load the Blackhawk but would perform in the Rossi I use Magnus hardcast bullets so I don,t think serious barrel leading is going to be a problem .I need some ideas:confused:
 
Mine was very accurate with a 140 grain XTP, propelled by 19.0 grains of W296 for 2000 fps, +/- 5 fps depending on the brand of case. 2MOA to 200 yards.
 
I too shoot a Blackhawk (7 1/2") and 20" round barrel Rossi M92, and I have spent a lot of time finding loads that shoot reasonably well in both without having to fiddle with any sight changes between light and heavy bullets and .38/.357. The main bugaboo is that the Rossi has a VERY slow twist (1:30, I think), so lighter bullets usually do best unless you are really pushing the magnum speeds.

In general, I prefer to use Zero jacketed bullets, but I have had decent results with some MBC lead bullets too. I mostly buy the Zeros now when they have them in stock, since they are close to the same price and have "zero" concerns for leading!

My best .38 Spl +P loads for both guns is 7.8g Acc #5 with the Zero 125g JSP. In the Ruger this hits 1,106 fps and 340 ft lbs. I do not have chrono numbers for the Rossi, but I can hold 3" groups at 100 yards using stock buckhorn iron sights.

In .357, I love 2400, but I am just about out of it, so I focused on other powders I had on hand as well.

My best .357 with the Zero 158g JSP is 14.0 g 2400, which gives 1,345 fps and 635 ft lbs (again in the Ruger). A decent alternative to that load with the same bullet is 11.0 g Acc #7, which gives 1,304 fps and 597 ft lbs from the Ruger. Both of these loads give me 5-6" groups at 100 yards in the Rossi, and I am still looking for something better.
 
I have found that going a bit hotter with my loads improves performance with my rossi. I still keep well below max handgun loads. The rifle could handle much hotter but I do not want to risk mixing them up and the only hand gun I load hotter loads for is my Coonan. 2400 and 158 grn bullets is the combo I have used the most for the Rossi. If you load on the lighter side with it I recommend using a bit tighter crimp. Not having a tight enough crimp with 2400 gave me the only squib load I have ever made.
 
Hornady 158 XTP's either hollowpoint of flat points always gets good reviews in .357 Magnum lever guns. They shoot great in my Marlin and 6" revolver. I prefer AA#9 powder but Win 296 is good too. Since I don't plink and shoot a lot of .357 Magnum I don't mess with lead or plated bullets. Also, I shoot the same loads in pistol and rifle.
 
Thanks

Thanks for all the information,I guess I will be spending some time at the loading bench working up some test loads and seeing which work best for me.again thanks:D
 
4227 for the Rossi, Titegroup for the Blackhawk, both 158 gr swc. You can use the Titegroup rounds for both guns, I have in the past, if you really wish to go that route.

When I purchased the Rossi early last year I asked the board what they thought about trying to thread the needle of a single powder through 9mm (Canik Stingray and Taurus G2), 357 pistol (Taurus) and the Rossi 92. The overwhelming response was that each weapon has a specific purpose and it's best to tailor the gun to a powder meant for it. Add to that your personal preference as to how you want the gun to perform. So, in my case, the 9mm is loaded with Longshot, the magnum with Titegroup and the lever with 4227, which has a very soft recoil, hardly noticeable. Titegroup garners a stiff kick in the magnum, less so with the Rossi - obviously due tot he barrel length. The 9mm has a soft recoil, which is critical because I carry the G2.

Spend some time with your data, looking at pressure and velocity and see what appeals to you.

Good luck.
 
I use a 124 grain bullet over 5.0 grains of Red Dot in my Rossi 92. That's with a .357 mag shell. Pretty accurate, more accurate that when I was using a 158 grain bullet with the same powder.
 
The Rossi's have a 1- 30 twist. Move down to a 125gr projectile and you will get very good results.

If you would like a very very accurate 100 yard plinking load for the Rossi.
Try 125gr soft ish LRN ( Range scrap is what I use) cast bullets ahead of 4gr of Unique or 5 gr of Herco in 38 special cases.

100_8371.jpg


100_8343.jpg


You can load them in 357 mag cases too. But I have just never gotten as good. Close but not the same. Sure you could tweek it to get it right but I already got what I wanted so just left well enough alone.

I love placing 20 clay pigeons on the berm at 100 yards. Go against a guy with his AR. 1st to ten wins.
I always win. Unless he really know his gun, Most dont. But I will have seen that before hand.Wager a bit toooo.
" I betcha I can whoop your butt with this lever gun." :D
 
Last edited:
Good stuff COZ.
The Rossi's have a 1- 30 twist.
Click to expand...
That is pretty darn slow for a 357. The lighter bullet is definately a good idea with that twist.
I use 4 or 5 grains of Bullseye with cast/coated 125's in 357 brass. 4 grains is a light plinker for my revolver, 5 grains does much better at 100 yards in my single shot Handi rifle.
 
Bullseye works ok. I like it best for 105 gr swc loads in the rossi.
Not great at 100 yards but at 50 you can make just one big clover leaf.
At 100 they start to loose stability at the lower velocities I am pushing them.

If I am trying to push them hard 125 gr JFP ahead of 2400 have been good.

I like Herco with the 38 special loads because at a 5gr load the pressure is the same as a 4gr load of Unique. So I have been getting the same laser sharp accuracy but getting an extra 100 fps velocity for free. And we all like free velocity.:D
I only get these results in the rifle. In a revolver it does not seem to help a thing actually burns to slow. Works well enough but the Unique load out shoots it every time.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top