357 Mag advice

[Celraysoda 7]

So I am going to start reloading 357 Mag. I have Alliant 2400 and 158 LRNFP. I do not want to exceed 1000 fps. Anyone have experience with these components with success?

 

-Thanks in advance for any help you can offer.

[Guest]

i think 2400 is poor choice for low velocity - starting .357 load of 13.7 gr. is 1620 fps according to lee manual - if you use .38 special cases 7.0 gr. of 2400 is about 990 fps -

[Celraysoda 7]

i think 2400 is poor choice for low velocity - starting .357 load of 13.7 gr. is 1620 fps according to lee manual - if you use .38 special cases 7.0 gr. of 2400 is about 990 fps -

 

What powder do you recommend for 357? I will use the 2400 for the .38.

[matt6669 71]

i think 2400 is poor choice for low velocity - starting .357 load of 13.7 gr. is 1620 fps according to lee manual - if you use .38 special cases 7.0 gr. of 2400 is about 990 fps -

 

What powder do you recommend for 357? I will use the 2400 for the .38.

 

I've heard great things about Winchester 231 for both .38 and .357. Has been recommended to me by several people!

[Pizza Bob 1,488]

231 is pretty fast for even reduced loads in .357 cases. Would work fine for .38 spl target loads, in .38 spl cases. 2400 is a slow (for pistol cartridges) burning powder best for full-house magnum loads. If you want to do reduced velocity loads in .357 cases, Unique, or a powder of similar burning rate would be a good bet.

 

Here's a link to a table showing the relative burn rates of smokeless powders. Not sure how old this is, so some of the newer powders may not be listed...

 

http://www.reloadbench.com/burn.html

 

HTH

 

Adios,

 

Pizza Bob

[lunker 274]

Try Bullseye or Unique.

[tbtrout 141]

If you only want target loads with lead bullets try Trail Boss.

[lunker 274]

If you only want target loads with lead bullets try Trail Boss.

 

 

Good call Tim. Trail Boss is perfect.

[Guest]

i use red dot for 9mm , .38 s+w , .38 special , .38 super , .357 , 45acp cast + jacketed loads - also 12ga. shotgun + .308 , 30/06 , + 30/30 cast bullet reduced rifle loads -

[Celraysoda 7]

Thanks for all the info..and Lunker for the call! I will check out that site.

[lunker 274]

Give these sites a try too.

 

http://data.hodgdon.com/cartridge_load.asp

 

http://www.alliantpowder.com/reloaders/ ... ?gtypeid=1

[Celraysoda 7]

Manny at the BH said that Blue Dot would be an ideal choice...any thoughts?

[lunker 274]

I use Blue Dot for 357. It is very versatile and can be used in many calibers, but I think it is a +P or near-magnum powder. Take a look at its writeup.

http://www.alliantpowder.com/products/p ... e_dot.aspx

 

Here are some loads. Take a look at the velocities. The website doesn't even list 38 special. The lowest power it shows is 38+P.

 

http://www.alliantpowder.com/reloaders/ ... rtridge=27

 

http://www.alliantpowder.com/reloaders/ ... rtridge=28

 

I would stick with Trail Boss, Bullesye or Unique.

Here is Unique, since it's off the same website.

http://www.alliantpowder.com/reloaders/ ... rtridge=26

[Celraysoda 7]

Anybody want to trade some Trail Boss or Unique for Blue Dot?

 

Know of any local places that stock it?

[GRIZ 3,369]

Slower powders like 2400 are best for full power loads.

 

I would stay away from the faster powders like Bullseye and W231. If you double charge the case will hold both charges. I use Unique for a 357 load that gives me 1000 fps. Unique also has the advantage that double charges of what I use will overflow the case.

 

I'd use Unique or something in the same range. You can also use Unique to load it hotter.

[tbtrout 141]

Win 231 is the same as HP 38 which was developed for 38 spec target loads

[rscalzo 3]

Unique

 

That's what I use. It's a great powder for a wide range of calibers. While it won't give super high velocity loads, it's great for mid range.

[lunker 274]

Trail Boss is good because it's designed for cowboy action shooting. You fill the case nearly all the way. It is less efficient than other powders, but you never run the risk of accidentally putting in a double charge like you do with Bullseye.

[tbtrout 141]

Trail Boss is good because it's designed for cowboy action shooting. You fill the case nearly all the way. It is less efficient than other powders, but you never run the risk of accidentally putting in a double charge like you do with Bullseye.

I love using Trail Boss.