Which Powder: Low recoil .357 load

[WrongHanded]

Well, then my suggestion was not in line with that, as the WST/Competition loads I use would not be in any .357 data. It does match .38 Spl data.

I perhaps should have specified that I was aiming for the low end of the pressure range for .357 Mag. I can see how my original post was a little ambiguous on that note, so sorry for the confusion. I did however find the .38 special data for the WST, but not for .357, which now makes sense.

 

[Charlie98]

I perhaps should have specified that I was aiming for the low end of the pressure range for .357 Mag. I can see how my original post was a little ambiguous on that note, so sorry for the confusion. I did however find the .38 special data for the WST, but not for .357, which now makes sense.

You know... you're right. I've got the Hornady book right here and they use TiteGroup and Unique a lot, but not W231 or WST, even in their swaged lead bullet load info. Thing is... their load data for '.357MAG' loads with their cast bullets almost mirrors the same bullet data in .38SPC, except that the max load goes higher. There is a .38SPC load with the 158grn swaged bullet and W231, but it tops out at 4.4grn @ 850fps. Hodgdon's site data DOES have .357MAG data for W231/HP-38 and the cast 158grn that gets you to 1100fps.

...but nothing for WST.

 

[Walkalong]

Hodgdon's site does have data for WST in .38 Spl. Nothing in .357.

The cases are so close you can use all but some of the very lowest .38 spl data in .357 Mag cases.

Hodgdon shows this in .38 Spl.

Winchester WST 158 Gr LSWC - .358" - 1.475" - 3.3 - 705 - 12,800 PSI - 3.7 - 770 - 15,700 PSI

I use 3.8 to 3.9 Grs (Depending on the lot) of WST or Competition with the X-Treme 158 Gr SWC @ 1.560 OAL which gives 700 to 750 FPS depending on the revolver.

Around 3.5 Grs of Clays will do about the same FPS.

 

[WrongHanded]

Walkalong has yet to steer me wrong, so I'm going to try to find some WST. And as Charlie98 has helpfully mentioned the .357 data for W231, I'll get some of that too. Both have been mentioned multiple times throughout the thread. I have a mandatory week off work for Christmas, so there's plenty of time to shoot.

As a side note: Walkalong, the reflex sight mount that you once sent me a link for is now ordered, along with a Burris Fastfire 3. Perhaps both will arrive in time for some testing next week.

That you all for the responses and input. I greatly appreciate it!

 

[Walkalong]

Looking forward to the results.

 

[kcofohio]

FWIW, today I was going through some reloading stuff, and I remembered working up some loads for my wife's M85 Lite. Loads consisted of HP-38 and Titegroup with MBC 105 gr. bullet. The Titegroup had a sharper recoil than HP-38. The loads were about par with each other. Decided to stick with HP-38 for her gun
I know, totally different all around gun. Just thought I would throw that in.

 

[Walkalong]

Light guns make differences in recoil easy to feel.

 

[kcofohio]

Light guns make differences in recoil easy to feel.

Maybe I should have detailed more. About 2 lbs. difference between the GP100 and M85.

 

[warnerwh]

I'd definitely try some 125 gr. bullets for the load you are working up. They are cheaper and unless you're hunting or doing serious target shooting it doesn't matter. Both .357's I have will do 1.5" groups at 25 yards with 125 gr. bullets so they can be plenty accurate. Btw these are mid power loads.

 

[landag]

I would like to very humbly disagree with much of the above. If your objective is to ease your wife into a higher energy load, it would be much easier to start with 3.5-4.0 grains of Bullseye behind a 44 gr 4-Sigma bullet to firmly train her muscle memory first (it kicks and sounds like a .22 LR). Read their discussion of the bicycle principle. Worked with my grand daughter & full bore .357 mag loads. Warning: the approach is a bit iffy if economics is a problem

 

[Walkalong]

44 gr 4-Sigma bullet

I have not seen those before. Sure would be low recoil alright. Pricey though.

Welcome to THR.

 

[landag]

I looked at it like sending my kids to college; that was terribly expensive too. Ah, but then they were finally independent.
On the other hand, I sure miss 'em.

 

[WrongHanded]

Well I tried 3.7gr of WST under a 158gr Polycoated LSWC. Very mild indeed. I'll bump it up a bit to 3.9 or 4.0, then see how she likes it.

 

[Walkalong]

I looked at it like sending my kids to college; that was terribly expensive too.

That's quite a bit different, and a much better investment.

 

[WrongHanded]

Well this is hers now..



She loved shooting the 4.0gr WST loads. I will have to make up at least 100 next time, because 50 wasn't enough. She also shot a cylinder of 14.0gr A2400, and a few cylinders of 15.0gr IMR 4227, before she decided the recoil wasn't worth it for practice. She wants to work on her double action trigger control more before shooting much of the hotter loads, but we both agree that she CAN shoot them pretty well in comparison to the lighter loads.

So I've given up a good GP100, but now my wife likes wheelguns. Good trade! Especially as I'm going to end up getting a replacement out of the deal sooner or later. Replacement revolver that is. The wife stays.