357 mag & gas checks

[hvychev77]

Hi folks, i'm getting ready to start reloading 357 mag. I load for 44 mag with Alliant 2400 and will be using the same powder for 357. I load jacketed bullets for the 44 since i use the gun for hunting deer with.

Now, i'll probably be loading the 357 with lead. Should I use gas checked bullets when loading for 357 and using 2400 powder? Or is not needed as long as i'm not pushing the pill too hard...I'm new to reloading any lead...So, thanks for any feedback. Cheers! hvychev77

 

[RealGun]

Hi folks, i'm getting ready to start reloading 357 mag. I load for 44 mag with Alliant 2400 and will be using the same powder for 357. I load jacketed bullets for the 44 since i use the gun for hunting deer with.

Now, i'll probably be loading the 357 with lead. Should I use gas checked bullets when loading for 357 and using 2400 powder? Or is not needed as long as i'm not pushing the pill too hard...I'm new to reloading any lead...So, thanks for any feedback. Cheers! hvychev77

If you make custom bullets and have the gun otherwise optimized and it still leads to too great degree, a gas check is the next thing to try. I found that if I want to be able to cast these, I have to have special mould for GC. For now I am trying some gas checked bullets I bought for 7 1/2" 45 that leads too much toward the muzzle with commercial bullets sized exactly to the throats (.454). I am also planning to pan lube them on top of the existing wax lube. They already smoke, so what the heh.

Oregon Trail's Lazercast guarantee against leading is nonsense, but their bullets aren't too bad in an optimized Smith 19 well sized for the standard lead bullet purchase. Those bullets are very hard. Those are shot with a milder but not "light" load. Full tilt magnums should be jacketed in my guns. I use XTPs.

 

[Cannibul]

Powder coat the bullets.

 

[243winxb]

357 mag - No gas check needed with 13.0 gr 2400 and 158/163 gr bullets.

Bullets as cast, before lube and size to .3575"

 

[Reefinmike]

I don't buy my bullets so I've never looked into pricing but I'm sure checked bullets are atleast 5 cents more a piece. At that point you might as well just buy a powder coated bullet and know there isn't any chance of leading.

 

[RealGun]

357 mag - No gas check needed with 13.0 gr 2400 and 158/163 gr bullets.

Bullets as cast, before lube and size to .3575"

But that is within a specific set of parameters...slug and throat size, barrel length, plain base bullets, alloy...and who makes a .3575 sizer?

 

[243winxb]

But that is within a specific set of parameters...slug and throat size, barrel length, plain base bullets, alloy...and who makes a .3575 sizer?

The size die is marked 357, but produces a finished sized bullet at .3575" with more than one alloy.

The loading works in my M28 and has been used to test many different 357 mag police trade ins. Including different models of S&W and some Ruger.

Lube has been 50/50, with the old lube being better than the current, depending on the manufacture.

 

[hvychev77]

Wow! had no idea I would get so much detail. thanks. what about buying lead bullets? i do not intend on making my own. Suggestions on brand and weight?

 

[ArchAngelCD]

Missouri Bullets makes very good bullets. They are available in lead and coated lead variations. I'm shooting their lead bullets in the 38/357, 45 ACP and 45 Colt and their coated bullets in the 9mm.

 

[cxm]

The 357MAG (and 38SPL) are very pleasant to reload... very straight forward.

If you use 2400 powder, keep in mind it does not work well at all in reduced loads, but is un-excelled for heavy loads.

The 357 was one of the first cartridges I reloaded about 55 years ago... My formula is still the same...a nominal 158gr Ray Thompson designed LSWC bullet (Lyman 358156 GC) bullet with a base that accepts a gas check... In all those years I have probably used less than 100 gas checks... at 357 velocities leading is not an issue if: 1) You use the correct alloy for the bullets (Lyman #2 is good, as is Keith's lead/tim alloy that uses 1/2 of a bar of 50-50 plumbers soldier in an Ideal (Lyman) pot... not very precise but works fine in practice) 2) Your barrel is really smooth inside (many new barrels have burrs from machining left in them and require lapping) 3) Bullets are sized correctly and 4) you use a good bullet lube.

NOTE: Most commercially cast bullets are too hard... a too hard bullet will lead as fast as a too soft bullet. At lower velocities it probably doesn't matter... but at the high end you can get leading. For at least 25 years after the introduction of the 357MAG manufacturers loaded the 158gr factory 357MAG with a swaged lead bullet that was soft... both Winchester and Remington leaded like mad... and just a few cylinders of either one would lead your revolver to the point accuracy suffered... Happily there are better options now...

Elmer Keith is credited with being one of the inventors of the 357MAG (along with Ray Thompson and Phil Sharpe.) Keith's book "SIXGUNS" has a LOT of good information on loading 357MAG (and .44 and .41 MAG) besides being very educational generally and really good reading... I recommend it highly.

I have experimented with all sorts of bullet and powder combinations over the years... I still keep coming back to my version of Keith's 357MAG load which is not quite so hot as Keith's original but has proved to be extremely accurate... 14.5 gr. of 2400 with a 168gr Keith LSWC bullet. I seat the bullet deep enough to allow me to crimp the case over the front shoulder of the bullet which allows it to be used in "N" frame S&W revolvers (Not required in K frame, J frame or L frame revolvers.)

There is lots and lots of quality published information on the 357MAG. If you don't have a copy of Lyman's manual I recommend it highly.

The 357MAG is one of the most fun cartridges to load...

Once you master the 357MAG there is always the 38/44 Special...

V/r

CHuck

Hi folks, i'm getting ready to start reloading 357 mag. I load for 44 mag with Alliant 2400 and will be using the same powder for 357. I load jacketed bullets for the 44 since i use the gun for hunting deer with.

Now, i'll probably be loading the 357 with lead. Should I use gas checked bullets when loading for 357 and using 2400 powder? Or is not needed as long as i'm not pushing the pill too hard...I'm new to reloading any lead...So, thanks for any feedback. Cheers! hvychev77