Still another dumb question

[Dudedog]

I would use .357 cases if you have them available. In general MAX 38 Special loads work out to be midrange or less .357 loads. Funny there is not data for Ramshot Silhouette in .357. My burn chart shows it by Autocomp, HS6, 3N37 speed wise but if your just starting out you want to stick to published loads. I would try giving Ramshot a call and see what they have to say.
IF it is unopened I might consider it. You would be better served with something Like Longshot (if your not after MAX power 357) or 2400. I have seen some Longshot around for <$25 an lb but you would have the hazmat to pay. (order a couple lbs of powder and 2 or 3 thousand primers and the saving will probably cover the hazmat)

Would .38 or .357 be enough for deer? More is better but probably enough at close range. Shot placement makes a difference.

I would bet in days past lots of deer were killed with a 38-40 and 44-40s used in lever action rifles.


None of your questions so far are what any reasonable person would consider dumb, ask away!
Now as for answers, I at least am full of dumb ones.......

 

[Officers'Wife]

I understand caution, but your gun was designed for .357 and this cartridge is among the easiest, most forgiving cartridges to reload. Caution is good, fear sucks...

Later; Not meant to criticize your reloading "ethics". I'm not "cavalier" about reloading, meaning I have my methods/routines/safety measures that I strictly adhere to. I just wanted to encourage you to try, with appropriate care of course, using something else. Fear can be paralyzing!

OK, It's not really a matter of fear or even caution, but of comfort. My habit is when confronted with a new challenge is go very slowly and get the "feel" of what I'm doing. Stepping up to the higher velocity of the 357 will come when I know how the subtle differences in technique are going to effect performance. Keep in mind, I only have a small bit of knowledge of what I'm doing and have been told repeatedly that a little knowledge is an insult to the peace and dignity of the community. This is my time to learn not innovate.

At the moment I'm trying a different kind of powder than I started with. Quite frankly I should have started with this powder rather than the Bullseye as the heavier weight of the charge was just a bit nerve wracking. I'll do side by side comparisons with my brother's measuring tools and compare the diff in performance. Later on, I'll talk my poor long-suffering friend that runs the gunshop out of yet a third flavor of powder and start the process all over again.

I have plenty of time to figure out the nuances and potential of this new (to me) craft before it's time to start loading to put meat in the freezer. Hopefully by that time I will have enough confidence in my craft to sight down on the target without fear of chasing a wounded and suffering animal all over the neighborhood.

You have your "style" of reloading and probably of living life in general. So do I, mine happens to be slow and prodding with a number of intermediate goals before the main one. If it's any consolation, my methodology drives my hubby and brother up the wall too.

 

[au_prospector]

This is a great deal for you. Good price and an excellent place to start as well for a new reloader. By now I hope you have brought this home and have started your new project. Congrats and good luck! Let us know if you need anything.

 

[Officers'Wife]

This is a great deal for you. Good price and an excellent place to start as well for a new reloader. By now I hope you have brought this home and have started your new project. Congrats and good luck! Let us know if you need anything.

Yes, the powder is in the nice little cabinet that hubby made for me. I've loaded 50 rounds with it and 50 with the Bullseye. Since it's going to be too wet to get in the field today I'm going to have a certain unnamed idiot that shall remain my brother bring out his measuring device (chronograph?) and do some comparisons.

Afterwards I'll go back to the swaged 158 grain ball and make a similar comparison with that weight.

The bad news... hubby came home yesterday with a set of 9mm and .308 dies. I may get pushed out of my little cubbyhole.

 

[Officers'Wife]

OK, my brother set up his little machine yesterday, the 125 grain ball were zipping along at right at 1100 fps. Three rounds actually had the same velocity. The Silhouette powder giving slightly higher speeds than the Bullseye but still well within what my brother calls "acceptable."

Accuracy is another story. While the lighter ball zipped downrange and quite frankly was fun to shoot... The spread included two rounds in the 7 ring which is not acceptable. Both my brother and Andy (one of our employees) seem to think that particular rifle prefers a heavier ball (bullet?).

I would run some more test rounds but my hubby is busily producing 9mm rounds with a certain unnamed idiot that shall remain my brother looking over his shoulder. I have officially lost my press before I even got started.

 

[joneb]

What is your charge of zip?

 

[Mad Chemist]

Time to add another press.

 

[entropy]

Time to add another press.

+1. Good find on that powder and the bullets were an extra perk.