After gathering all the reloading equipment and reading and lurking on different sites, it was time to get started. I have experience with C&B revolvers which led me to have a interest in loading my own cartridges. GP 100, 4 inch, .357. Bullseye powder, .38 -125 grain lead cast powder coated bullet. 20 ft off a rest. 2.7gn, 5 rounds, all through two holes 3gr all through 3 holes. Feeling good, I'm hooked! 3.5, cloverleaf, 5 distinct holes but still good.. 4 gn opening up even more, not liking the spread. Tried all of these in a SP 101 stub nose. The 101 did not like any of these loads. I an looking for a light, med and heavy load for the GP to load in bulk. Not sure how to proceed at this point. Here what I have, Bullseye, Uni and Trail Boss. 125gn RF, 148 WC, 160 gn RF, all are hand cast, Powder Coated and sized to .357. What would be the next step in this ladder to find the guns sweet spot. I don't know any other loaders so your input is highly valued! Also fired off some store bought ammo, not impressed, I thought it was the guns, its the ammo!
New reloader needs advice
- Thread starter mikeBru
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lordpaxman
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Every gun and shooter are a bit different, so you’ll have to work up the loads per gun. I’d love a shortcut, but haven’t found any. In general, your light loads are served with the faster burn rate powders like BE. Medium loads with medium burn rates, if your Uni is Universal, that’ll work, and then the heavy loads with slow powders like CFE pistol. Try to find the published load data for your powder and bullet combination, start low and work up. With revolvers, at least you’re not worried about cycling the slide, but you still need to be careful with below minimum loads and potential squibs. As you saw, what works for your GP might not work for your SP. Get a notebook, you’re going to need it and love it! Good luck!
rfwobbly
Member
Welcome Aboard !
I have a GP100-6" and get excellent results with coated (or plated) 148gr DEWC at around 3.0gr of Bullseye (the standard NRA accuracy load). You may need to add 0.2gr for plated. However, you can even beat this performance with AA No2. Ever so slightly slower powders like Win 231 (aka HP-38) and Alliant Sport Pistol do well with 158gr.
Now that you are a forum member, you'll want to look at the offerings of these 2 makers who off nice member discounts:
148gr: https://missouribullet.com/details.php?prodId=235&category=5&secondary=9
158gr: https://www.rmrbullets.com/
Hope this helps.
I have a GP100-6" and get excellent results with coated (or plated) 148gr DEWC at around 3.0gr of Bullseye (the standard NRA accuracy load). You may need to add 0.2gr for plated. However, you can even beat this performance with AA No2. Ever so slightly slower powders like Win 231 (aka HP-38) and Alliant Sport Pistol do well with 158gr.
Now that you are a forum member, you'll want to look at the offerings of these 2 makers who off nice member discounts:
148gr: https://missouribullet.com/details.php?prodId=235&category=5&secondary=9
158gr: https://www.rmrbullets.com/
Hope this helps.
AJC1
Member
I would look into bullet size. If shooting lead your other pistol may need a .358 to be accurate.
FROGO207
Member
Sometimes if your revolver shoots jacketed loads well and not lead loads or you get leading the bullet may be undersized or the cylinder throats may be sizing the bullet too small for the barrel. This all can be checked. Also as stated each firearm is different and each cylinder can be a different size as well. Rugers are notorious for multiple small sized cylinders. I have owned several that I had to ream so lead bullets were accurate and to stop leading.
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