Out of my reloading manuals my speer #14 is the only one that comes close to having a load for this. I wanted to use unique and they have a load in there for what the call a 125gr tmj. but the lightest load 8.6gr is just over the 1200fps max that is recommended and the highest 9.6 is at 1343. Is this safe to reduce further?I'm just using for light plinking in my revolver and marlin 1894. Just wanted to see what others were using.
Loading .357 with berry's 125gr
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Varminterror
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I don't have the Speer 14, but do have a #13 at my office. So... What you'll learn about the .357mag, vs. the .38spcl+P and .38spcl, is typically, the same loads will work in the mag case, at nearly the same pressure as the Special case, if you simply add 10% to the .38spcl or +P charge weights. As you're seeing, most load manuals don't show "light loads" or .38spcl level loads for the .357mag data, simply because they know you can use the 10% rule of thumb and apply their .38spcl data, or know you'd simply use a .38spcl case instead of burning an extra 10% in powder.
So if you turn back in your #14, I can't imagine it won't have the same powders listed as my #13, the 125grn jacketed data for .38spcl+P shows Unique at 5.7-6.0grn, then turn a couple more pages back, the .38spcl data for the 125 shows Unique at 5.7grn DNR (Do Not Reduce). Scaling that up to your .357mag cases by adding 10% (multiply by 1.1), that's a 6.3grn DNR for Unique under the Speer 125grn TMJ.
Of note, however, Lyman #49 does show 4.0-5.7grn Unique under a 120grn Linotype LRN in .38spcl cases and 4.0-6.0 under a 125 Jacketed bullet in .38spcl cases, so scaling that load, that puts you down around 4.4grn Unique under a 125grn Berry's in a .357mag case.
So pick your poison - 6.3grn Unique under the 125grn Berry's in a .357mag case, 5.7grn Unique under the 125grn Berry's in a .38spcl case if you only use Speer plated data, or maybe as low as 4.4grn in the Mag case or 4.0grn in the Special case if you use Lyman's lead bullet data.
For two really low end powder puff loads of which I have ran THOUSANDS, I run 5.0grn HP-38 under Rainier plated 125's in a .357Mag case, and 4.0grn Bullseye under 93grn Meister LRN's in a .38spcl case. Shooting the Rainier 125's out of a .357mag Redhawk has almost no perceptible recoil, less than a 32H&R Single Six.
So if you turn back in your #14, I can't imagine it won't have the same powders listed as my #13, the 125grn jacketed data for .38spcl+P shows Unique at 5.7-6.0grn, then turn a couple more pages back, the .38spcl data for the 125 shows Unique at 5.7grn DNR (Do Not Reduce). Scaling that up to your .357mag cases by adding 10% (multiply by 1.1), that's a 6.3grn DNR for Unique under the Speer 125grn TMJ.
Of note, however, Lyman #49 does show 4.0-5.7grn Unique under a 120grn Linotype LRN in .38spcl cases and 4.0-6.0 under a 125 Jacketed bullet in .38spcl cases, so scaling that load, that puts you down around 4.4grn Unique under a 125grn Berry's in a .357mag case.
So pick your poison - 6.3grn Unique under the 125grn Berry's in a .357mag case, 5.7grn Unique under the 125grn Berry's in a .38spcl case if you only use Speer plated data, or maybe as low as 4.4grn in the Mag case or 4.0grn in the Special case if you use Lyman's lead bullet data.
For two really low end powder puff loads of which I have ran THOUSANDS, I run 5.0grn HP-38 under Rainier plated 125's in a .357Mag case, and 4.0grn Bullseye under 93grn Meister LRN's in a .38spcl case. Shooting the Rainier 125's out of a .357mag Redhawk has almost no perceptible recoil, less than a 32H&R Single Six.
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Ruger 15151
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Alliant Load data has recipes for 125gr JHPs for several powders including Unique.
http://www.alliantpowder.com/reloaders/RecipeList.aspx?gtypeid=1
However, Berry"s does not make jacketed pistol bullets. If you are talking about one of these bullets ( which are the only 2 offered in 125Gr for 38/357), they are plated and needs to be loaded below 1250 fps according to the information provided on the Berry's website.
https://www.berrysmfg.com/item/bp-38-357-125gr-fp
https://www.berrysmfg.com/item/bp-38-357-125gr-thp
Good luck!
http://www.alliantpowder.com/reloaders/RecipeList.aspx?gtypeid=1
However, Berry"s does not make jacketed pistol bullets. If you are talking about one of these bullets ( which are the only 2 offered in 125Gr for 38/357), they are plated and needs to be loaded below 1250 fps according to the information provided on the Berry's website.
https://www.berrysmfg.com/item/bp-38-357-125gr-fp
https://www.berrysmfg.com/item/bp-38-357-125gr-thp
Good luck!
Thank you varminterror
And yes ruger15151 I know they are plated not jacketed that's why I was asking about it I wanted to know how big the difference was.
Thanks I see what I can work up late tonight when I get off work.
And yes ruger15151 I know they are plated not jacketed that's why I was asking about it I wanted to know how big the difference was.
Thanks I see what I can work up late tonight when I get off work.
Varminterror
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In general... (at the risk of making a generalization)... If you use lead bullet data for plated bullets, you'll be in the hunt.
But there's not a lot of plinking level load data for .357mag and 125grn lead bullets to be found out there. In general, a guy has to scale the .38spcl data.
Handloading vs. reloading - this kind steps into handloading territory.
But there's not a lot of plinking level load data for .357mag and 125grn lead bullets to be found out there. In general, a guy has to scale the .38spcl data.
Handloading vs. reloading - this kind steps into handloading territory.
Well, another new reloader confused by plated bullets. No offence to the OP. but lack of easy to find data on plated bullets is often a problem for new reloaders. Many questions on forums about load data and crimping.
I would not use plated bullets for magnum loads. If I had to use 357 brass I'd just go with 38 Special data for lead bullets, same shape and weight. If the plated bullets don't have a cannalure (most don't) you need to taper crimp.
If I were mentoring a new reloader I'd have them start with jacketed bullets. When the loading proceedure is comfortable, then he can try lead and plated bullets...
I would not use plated bullets for magnum loads. If I had to use 357 brass I'd just go with 38 Special data for lead bullets, same shape and weight. If the plated bullets don't have a cannalure (most don't) you need to taper crimp.
If I were mentoring a new reloader I'd have them start with jacketed bullets. When the loading proceedure is comfortable, then he can try lead and plated bullets...
Varminterror
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There are a lot of bells "dinging" when I read mdi's post above, as he covered a lot of good points in a short message, so I'm going to reiterate some them below for emphasis.
100% agreed here - especially 125grn bullets. For magnum loads with 125's, you'll be pushing too fast for the plated bullets to not have issues. For "light loads in .357mag cases," as it seems you're wanting to produce, the 125 plated bullets will be fine. But don't pour on the powder and try to get full magnum level loads out of them.
One point of clarification - the case is bigger, so usually you'll want to add 10% to the 38spcl charges. Some charges are listed as DNR for the 38spcl and can become inconsistent if you go lower, so jumping up in case size will ask for more powder too. Not all powders have issues going below the starting loads's pressure, some do. To err on the side of caution, it's worth it just to throw the 10% at it.
Yup - set your seating die tall and only give it a taper crimp, or get a dedicated taper crimp die.
Yup - reiterating this to make sure it sinks in. It's just a lot easier to start with jacketed bullets.
100% agreed here - especially 125grn bullets. For magnum loads with 125's, you'll be pushing too fast for the plated bullets to not have issues. For "light loads in .357mag cases," as it seems you're wanting to produce, the 125 plated bullets will be fine. But don't pour on the powder and try to get full magnum level loads out of them.
One point of clarification - the case is bigger, so usually you'll want to add 10% to the 38spcl charges. Some charges are listed as DNR for the 38spcl and can become inconsistent if you go lower, so jumping up in case size will ask for more powder too. Not all powders have issues going below the starting loads's pressure, some do. To err on the side of caution, it's worth it just to throw the 10% at it.
Yup - set your seating die tall and only give it a taper crimp, or get a dedicated taper crimp die.
Yup - reiterating this to make sure it sinks in. It's just a lot easier to start with jacketed bullets.
Use a taper crimp and jacketed .38 Spl loads with Unique with those Berrys 125 gr bullets and you'll be fine. If you want to go higher get coated or jacketed.
mdi and Varminterror make some great points.
What Berrys says about load data:
https://www.thehighroad.org/index.php?threads/berrys-bullets.779037/page-2#post-9892970
mdi and Varminterror make some great points.
What Berrys says about load data:
https://www.thehighroad.org/index.php?threads/berrys-bullets.779037/page-2#post-9892970
I wouldn't use any "formula" when using 38 Special loads in 357 Magnum brass, just remember that the listed velocities, 38 Special data, will be higher than that obtained with the same loads in 357 brass. If one had to keep velocities within a certain range, then one could raise 38 loads. But the idea for using 38 data in 357 brass is for light loads...
Varminterror
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You are incorrect. The Speer TMJ is, indeed, a plated bullet. Speer #13, Page 427 calls it out as a plated bullet. They also reference the TMJ to be their "thickest jacketed Unicor construction bullet" - which on page 425, they specifically call out the fact it's electrochemically plated, building the jacket onto the core "one molecule at a time."
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