.38/.357 load suggestions, recoil question

[sublimaze41]

I have a couple of questions, and need some suggestions or answers. I would appreciate any and all imput.

Let me get this one out of the way as it has bugged me for the past week. All of following deals with a 6 inch Smith and Wesson .357 Classic revolver. If I have a .357 load that has equal or close velocities with a bullet weight of 125gr and 158gr, which will give more felt recoil?


I am looking to make 500 rounds of .38. Given these powders, what would be the the softest recoil my 4'9" wife could fire? She would like to try the revolver but harsh recoil will shy her away. The 5 powders I have available are WST, Universal Clays, Accurate # 5,7,9. The bullets available are 125gr Rainier copper plated flat points and 158 Hornady FMJHP.

For me I am looking for a load in .357 that will provide the highest velocity using one of the above powders with 125gr Golden Sabres.

I have a chrono and will of course work the load up accordingly.

I need some suggestions as I have a limited history of loading .357 with Blue Dot (unavailable) only, and have never loaded .38. I would like to draw on the experience here and avoid the steep learning curve.

Many Thanks !

Sublimaze

 

[mballai]

I'd recommend working with the Universal for both uses and go to Hodgdon's website for load information. Rainier bullets can be treated as lead bullets for most purposes, but you can run them a bit hotter if you desire.

 

[sublimaze41]

I have at least 10 loading books and a load map. I am hoping for some pet loads if they are out there for the above variables. I am trying to get a better idea of what works well before doing the workup and testing. 3 bullet types and 5 powders. It is a waste of time and resources given my limited experience with this caliber without help. FWIW, I have been reloading for over 10 years. Still learning and hungry for shared experience of other "seasoned" reloaders.

 

[Walkalong]

WST and around 750 FPS to 800 FPS with a 125 Gr Ranier for her. Use a light taper crimp. You can hardly make a 158 go slow enough to equal the lesser recoil of the 125.

AA #9, the Hornady 158 JHP's & the 125 Gr Golden Sabers for you.

Universal Clays is a good powder and will work well for medium to full loads with either bullet, but will not match the velocities AA #9 will give you.

 

[jfh]

As Walkalong said, use the 125-gr. bullet--e.g., heavier bullets give more perceived recoil.

In the (short barrel) development I did this year, #7 gave the softest recoil--and I think I would try that, loaded to the parameters Walkalong suggested. I've not used #9, so I can't confirm that. One caveat: #7 seems to be a PITA with some powder measures--it meters accurately, but it also leaks in my Lees.

I don't believe you will find #7 loads in most 38 Special manuals--at least the current ones. The 357 loads, of course, tend to be balls-to-the-wall loads, but if you look around, you should be able find some low-power / midrange loads. I'd offer some here, except my info really isn't applicable for your longer-barrel shooting. Speer had a PDF file for use with their 135-gr short barrel JHP bullet, and they recommended 6.8 to 7.2 grains for a +P / +P+ load that had less perceived recoil than any other recipe they listed. (It also ran the slowest in 2" barrels; shouldn't have even been tested, IMO.) I think you could try that at about 6.0 grains in a 38 Special case and see how it runs--it'll be light, allright, so watch for bullets-in-the-barrel.

Since you have the chrono, keep in mind that for your (cleaning) sake, you can work up 38 Spl loads and 'translate' them into 357 loads that are the ballistic equivalent of the 38 loads. In the course of my short barrel work this year, I did that with all my loads--I was seeking a 'replica' load for a PD round that could be loaded-down for acclimation and economical for lots of practice--and the 357 translation sure helps with the crud rings in cylinders. With the SB work, I found that bumping up about .5 gr. or more got me into the ballpark safely in the 357 case--probably more with heavier density powders like #7.

Jim H.

 

[sublimaze41]

I think I will give the WST and #9 a go. My Dillon 550b meters Accurate Arms powder like butter, the charges are metered very accurately. I have switched most of my powders I run through the progressive to ball. I weigh all rifle charges individually except .223, so the extruded powders work well there. Varget and H4350 just don't work as well in my Dillon.

Accurate Arms load book gives data for all handgun calibers and with many bullets including specific data for Rainiers. Now I have a better area to start in. I love load development but with limited experience in .38/.357 it will be costly and time consuming.

Thank you for the information. Any more suggestions would be more than welcome! Earlier this year I got a great load suggestion for 240gr XTP in .44 mag with 2400. Got my first deer with a handgun and it was very satisfying. I merely tweeked the load, chronographed it and practiced. I had 5 appropriate powders and a few hundred bullets.....Narrowed it right down