Need a 357mag load, 140gr
- Thread starter hulley
- Start date
You could definitely start with 158g lead data and work up.
Unique would be my choice for 357. If you were loading for 38, I'd say use the 231.
I'd shy away from the 2400 though. In all likelyhood, a forthcoming post will mention using the 2400, pulling about 1300fps or more, with no leading problems, etc. Yeah. Maybe.
Use the Unique. Work it up to about 1000/1050 fps, and call it good. It'll be a great target/practice round.
Unique would be my choice for 357. If you were loading for 38, I'd say use the 231.
I'd shy away from the 2400 though. In all likelyhood, a forthcoming post will mention using the 2400, pulling about 1300fps or more, with no leading problems, etc. Yeah. Maybe.
Use the Unique. Work it up to about 1000/1050 fps, and call it good. It'll be a great target/practice round.
(Now that I looked at some data . . . )
Speer #14 has their 158g swagged bullets at 5.5 - 6.0 grains of Unique.
Their bullets are softer than your BHN-18's; and your bullet weighs less. If it were me loading, I'd start with the 6.0. Speer's swagged bullet data isn't loaded to pressure - they're loaded to 1000 fps max. It states: "These loads do not reach maximum pressures."
For further reference (and reference only; this is not a load suggestion), their 135g jacketed data shows Unique at 6.8 - 7.8. So it's probably safe to say that your upper limit is probably going to come in around that 6.8 grains. But you'll probably hit that previously suggested 1000/1050 fps mark long before then. The 6.0g will probably do it.
Speer #14 has their 158g swagged bullets at 5.5 - 6.0 grains of Unique.
Their bullets are softer than your BHN-18's; and your bullet weighs less. If it were me loading, I'd start with the 6.0. Speer's swagged bullet data isn't loaded to pressure - they're loaded to 1000 fps max. It states: "These loads do not reach maximum pressures."
For further reference (and reference only; this is not a load suggestion), their 135g jacketed data shows Unique at 6.8 - 7.8. So it's probably safe to say that your upper limit is probably going to come in around that 6.8 grains. But you'll probably hit that previously suggested 1000/1050 fps mark long before then. The 6.0g will probably do it.
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CAUTION
CAUTION! OLD DATA
Cases: Rem
Primer: Rem 5 1/2
gun: S&W Model 27 5"
Bullet: #358495 (#2 alloy) 141gr
Unique
starting: 4.0gr vel 752fps
max: 8.5gr vel 1440fps
2400
starting: 11.0gr vel 1026fpr
max: 15.5gr vel 1449fps
This data from a 1970s era Lyman manual. Given for information only! May not be safe or suitable for your bullet, or your gun.
CAUTION! OLD DATA
Cases: Rem
Primer: Rem 5 1/2
gun: S&W Model 27 5"
Bullet: #358495 (#2 alloy) 141gr
Unique
starting: 4.0gr vel 752fps
max: 8.5gr vel 1440fps
2400
starting: 11.0gr vel 1026fpr
max: 15.5gr vel 1449fps
This data from a 1970s era Lyman manual. Given for information only! May not be safe or suitable for your bullet, or your gun.
Thanks Nick C S, I'll start around 6.0 and go from there. I dont have a chrono but I may have access to one.
Thanks, thats very helpful
. While I'm not a seasoned reloader I have been reloading for about 3 yrs, however the .357mag is a new round to me but I should have researched my load data before purchasing a bullet.
Thanks, thats very helpful
. While I'm not a seasoned reloader I have been reloading for about 3 yrs, however the .357mag is a new round to me but I should have researched my load data before purchasing a bullet.Chronographing rounds is always good; but in this case, may not be entirely necessary.
I'm assuming the purpose here is to have a good, accurate, general-purpose shooting round, with more spunk than a pure target load. If that's the case, the velocity is less important than whether or not you like shooting them. It's always good to know the fps, but your real aim here would be to watch for excessive leading - that'll tell you more of what you need to know than a chronograph. You want a fun shooting round that doesn't excessively lead.
Nick C S, you are right, I'm just wanting a fun all around load thats pretty accurate out to some distance and just have fun pulling the trigger. I will definitely keep an eye on the leading and work up a load at the starting point you gave me. Thanks again for the help, your posts are very informative.
Loaded up a few rounds last night and am planning a range trip thursday after work I will be taking the following.
38spl 158gr LRN 3.9gr Unique (I've been using this load for a while, very light)
357mag 158gr LRN 6.0gr Unique. 12rds
357mag 140gr TCFP 6.0gr Unique. 12rds
357mag 140gr TCFP 6.8gr Unique. 12rds
357mag 125gr SJHP, Atlanta Arms Reloads. For comparison purposes.
I plan to shoot a cylinder of each at 10 and 25yds. I've already shot my 38s and the 125gr 357mag and will use those POI to compare with my new reloads.
Anything else I should do or look for? Should I load up a few more and do 15yds also?
38spl 158gr LRN 3.9gr Unique (I've been using this load for a while, very light)
357mag 158gr LRN 6.0gr Unique. 12rds
357mag 140gr TCFP 6.0gr Unique. 12rds
357mag 140gr TCFP 6.8gr Unique. 12rds
357mag 125gr SJHP, Atlanta Arms Reloads. For comparison purposes.
I plan to shoot a cylinder of each at 10 and 25yds. I've already shot my 38s and the 125gr 357mag and will use those POI to compare with my new reloads.
Anything else I should do or look for? Should I load up a few more and do 15yds also?
So many load suggestions! Here's another "case" of where my reloading "logic" would apply; I don't pay much attention (none) to any forum expert, gun shop guru, range rat, gun counter clerk, or "pet" loads web sites when it comes to load data. I have been reloading mebbe 30 years and 99% of my load data comes from printed/published reloading manuals. Mebbe that one percent that doesn't come from a manual, comes from powder manufacturer's web sites, but those loads are checked against a reloading manual. There are plenty of powder, bullet, primer combinations in my manuals to keep me reloading for quite a while...
On your 38 Special 158 w/ 3.9g Unique load; I would consider that an underload, and would think it's not a real clean burning round.
My 38 Special / 158g go-to loading is 4.0g W231. It's a good, accurate, clean burning round. Very well balanced for the application (target, & practice).
And it just so happens you have W231. Maybe not tomorrow, but you should give this recipe a whirl some time at your convenience. You'll be pleased. (I never chronoed them, but 850/900 fps would be my guess.)
My 38 Special / 158g go-to loading is 4.0g W231. It's a good, accurate, clean burning round. Very well balanced for the application (target, & practice).
And it just so happens you have W231. Maybe not tomorrow, but you should give this recipe a whirl some time at your convenience. You'll be pleased. (I never chronoed them, but 850/900 fps would be my guess.)
Yeah after running a few rounds through my new GP100 4" I rememeber thinking it was a little dirty. My book says 4.0-4.3gr of Unique up to 4.5gr for a +P load. I intenionally loaded low for a little fun. I've been using that load through my SP101 2.25" or my LCR and it seemed fine. I'm down to about 120rds left and have already decided to step that load up to around 4.3-4.5gr of Unique....But I only have a little bit of W231 left and I will try your suggestion, which that load is in my book also.
I can certainly appreciate your view and I actually agree, however I dont see a problem asking for a suggestion on a load receipe. I do (and did) take recommendations and see where they fall with my data and if satisfied will determine a starting point. I'm already planning a trip to a shop this weekend to pick up another load book or two and hopefully some more powder.
