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"Down" loading (as in less powder) 357Mags

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twoblink

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I mean Down loading as in "less powder", not the type that's via TCP/IP.

How "soft" can you download a 357Mag without breaking something that wasn't suppose to be broken?

I know you can download them to less than 38Spl's, but how much less?

I don't make my own bullets, don't know much about them, and would love to learn!

Don't know if this should be in the revolver section or the ammo section..

Also, 357Mags with full wad cutters, no problems right? I've only shot FWC's in 38Spl's before.
 
You're not going to break anything until you stick a bullet in the bore. 2.8gr of BullsEye has been a long time favorite target load. For a little more oomph, I like 3.2 of V310...both with 158 lead heads.

Wadcutters are fine as are SWC.
/B
 
Just make sure that you don't use Hodgden H110 or Win. 296 for your powders - They do NOT like to be downloaded and can/will cause erratic ignition due to insufficient pressure to support proper combustion .
 
The smart money is on looking up light target .38 special loads in loading manuals.

I've used as little as 2.5 grains of Bullseye in .357 magnum cases with standard pistol primers and 148-grain hollow-based wadcutters. They work just fine. I've been light-loading .357 rounds for three decades without a problem.

That said™, there are powder and bullet combinations that can not be reduced safely; hence, my initial comment about referring to loading manuals.
 
SW has that nailed - the venerable 2.7/2.8 Bullseye with (in my case) a 158 SWC is magic for cream-puff loads.

If tho you are thinking of ''eased'' but true .357's then I find 14 grains VV N-110 with a gas check 158 SWC is a great load - it ain't max at all but it is very warm and for me good accuracy.

True enough H-110 and 296 are not downloadable powders - they are slow burners and meant for ''up there'' loads.

N-110 is IMO more forgiving if you back off but only so much.

For mid load .357's it is worth checking load manuals for loads using Blue Dot or Unique - some nice mid range stuff can be cooked that way.
 
+1 with RonJon, StandingWolf, and P95Carry. "Downloads" are safe but NOT with slow powders like H110/W296. As stated before, use medium to fast powders for reduced loads and save the slow powders for max loads. I don't feel adequate to summarize the explanation why into a couple of sentences. Again, see reloading manuals for more on the phenomenon and dangers of using reduced loads with slow burning powders as well as for SAFE reduced load combinations. Remember, the hands and eyes you save may be your own!

Good shooting and be safe.
LB
 
Im with Slipshooter. Trail Boss seems like it was made for this application, but does it perform better than Bullseye? THAT is the question.... ;)
 
Trail Boss seems like it was made for this application, but does it perform better than Bullseye? THAT is the question...
Click to expand...

I can't tell you about Trail Boss, since I haven't tried it, but can tell you I've switched from Bullseye to Hodgdon Tight Group: it meters more accurately, and my groups are smaller.
 
"...2.5 grains of Bullseye in .357 magnum cases with standard pistol primers and 148-grain hollow-based wadcutters. They work just fine..." Ditto. No fuss or bother. Using .357 brass for .38 target loads eliminates the lube crud build up in the cylinders too.
 
Do you know how fast 2.5 grain of Bulleye push the 158 SWC?

I'm thinking about using 5.7gr of UNIQUE, since it is the only powder that I have.

-Pat
 
My .357 Magnum lite loads for my 5" h-l 686+ use a Berry's plated 158gr RN over 4.3gr of Titegroup to yield 800 fps SD +/- 14 fps. With 5.0gr of Titegroup, that increases to ~900 fps SD +/- 12 fps. My lead plinkers use 4.0 gr of Titegroup under a 158gr LSWC (Magnus or GA Arms) to get 815 +/-16 fps from the same gun. All of these loads used range-sweepings/reclaimed mixed brass/Ni... gotta buy some decent .357M brass...

The lead loads have given way to the plated... that lube smoke seems more troublesome in the smaller calibers. Both are easier to clean up after than I thought they'd be... better than cleaning the .38 Special's ring of crud, that's for sure. Georgia Arms has a 158gr LRNFP .357 Magnum rated at 800 fps in their 'cowboy' loads.

Stainz
 
I'm sure when I reload, these numbers will actually mean something to me!! :evil:

Thanks for the info. I do have it in my plans to eventually reload my own 357's. I'm not one who likes recoil, and for the range, I don't find shoving hothouses to be necessary.

Also, for the Mrs..

So basically, if I follow the light 38Spl target load specs, it's ok to match that, but in a 357Mag case right? That's my understanding from what I'm reading from all of you..

"2.5 grain of Bulleye push the 158 SWC" <-- how fast does this start to drop off? I'm assuming in an indoor range, at 21 feet, there won't be much dropoff?
 
Generally speaking, going to a larger case volume will require a little more powder to maintain the same pressure and velocity with a given bullet type and mass. Also, a larger case with a small amount of powder leads to position sensitivity, ie, the velocities will change as you shift the powder from near the primer to near the bullet. The most common example of this is the .45 Colt, whose loaded volume is great enough to hold the original 40 gr of blackpowder - and with modern propellants, may have 5-7gr of powder. After noting this effect, I switched to Titegroup, a very fast and position insensitive propellant.

Stainz
 
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