I would like to load some 138 grn wadcutters in 357 brass but I have been unable to find reloading data for that particular combination. I would appreciate any information you folks might have about load data for 357 wadcutters. Thanks.
357 wadcutter loads
- Thread starter sffone
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Gator 45/70
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What? You have any other information like cast bullet weight? Rifle, pistol ?
davidd
Expert in the field of wife avoidance
Loads for 38spl +p with a similar bullet style will work just fine in a 357 case. Honestly, you can go even lighter if you don't want to follow the manual to the letter, with the faster powders like TG, N320, Unique, and Bullseye. My silhouette load for a 125g plated bullet is 5.0g Titegroup.
Using wadcutters, I assume you are looking for lighter target loads.
Using wadcutters, I assume you are looking for lighter target loads.
Be as cautious with light loads as you would be with heavy loads.
Some powders do not react well with lighter than published loads and will detonate, instead of burning.
I've never witnessed it, but every manual cautions against it.
In particular, H110 / W296 comes to mind.
If you want light loads I would suggest using Trailboss.
Some powders do not react well with lighter than published loads and will detonate, instead of burning.
I've never witnessed it, but every manual cautions against it.
In particular, H110 / W296 comes to mind.
If you want light loads I would suggest using Trailboss.
If you run them too hot, you will get excessive leading. If you are casting the bullets yourself and make them harder, you can drive them faster. I wouldn't load any hollow base wadcutters in anything hotter than a midrange target load. Since the bullet is cast, it probably has a flat base. Most hollow base wad cutters are swaged, and the lead is really soft. Are you sure they are 138 grain, and not 148 grain? What advantage are you hoping to gain by using .357 brass as opposed to .38 special brass?
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I have plenty of data for cast 148 gr. WC ...
138 gr. WC's are a bit of an oddball .
To get the ball rolling you can safely load the 138 gr WC with 148 gr. data ... the velocities will be a few feet per second lower but similar as the bullets are only 10 grains lighter in weight .
I have data : 357 Magnum - 148 gr. cast WC (solid base)
with Unique , HP-38 , 231 , Red Dot and Bullseye .
Let me know if you want the data and with which powder and I will be glad to post it . The data is tested .
It is from the RCBS Cast Bullet Manual #1 .
Gary
138 gr. WC's are a bit of an oddball .
To get the ball rolling you can safely load the 138 gr WC with 148 gr. data ... the velocities will be a few feet per second lower but similar as the bullets are only 10 grains lighter in weight .
I have data : 357 Magnum - 148 gr. cast WC (solid base)
with Unique , HP-38 , 231 , Red Dot and Bullseye .
Let me know if you want the data and with which powder and I will be glad to post it . The data is tested .
It is from the RCBS Cast Bullet Manual #1 .
Gary
Gary, I would very much like the data for Unique and 231. Thank you!
The coated 138 grain wadcutters were purchased from Bayou Bullets. I'm using .357 brass instead of .38 special brass because I have .357 brass and I'm set up to reload .357. Because I shoot quite a bit (800 rounds a week) I prefer not to have to do a lot of reconfiguring of my loading setup.
Sucks to be you!!! lol I haven't shoot my 357 with that many rds in years, cost too damn much!
I was actually counting all my nickel .38 spl brass to see if the guy wanted to make a swap until I read his last post, like “here bud, lemme help you out”
LOL !!
Try Alliant Powders website for Unique load data. Totally unrelated but where do you shoot?
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Thanks for the info, I'll check it out.
I shoot at FRC in Baton Rouge on South Choctaw. It's an outstanding indoor range -- state of the art with a dedicated pistol range and a rifle range. Being retired, I'm able to shoot at times when there is no problem getting a lane.
A well respected Cast Bullet Mold Maker that publishes hand books has a load for a .357 Magnum 141gr (Linotype) Wadcutter # using Unique. 1.435" OAL
Starting load of 5.8 gr for 960 fps
Max load of 7.9 gr for 1289 fps
Apparently I violated BS rules by publishing pics of the handbook yesterday. Hope this post helps.
Makes a lot of sense. Good Luck. The coated bullets from Bayou Bullets are first class!! You should get excellent accuracy with no leading. I used to load my .38 special wadcutters with 3.2 of WW 231, but that was using .38 special cases.
Being retired, have you considered casting your own bullets? It is not that difficult or expensive to get into, but it does eat up some time. I have cast my own for years now and love it.
My profile pic is of some of my own HB Wadcutters dropped from one of my MP Molds.
Those are purty ! I remember one fellow I know that loaded some HBWC with the bullet reversed to be used as self defense ammo. The soft lead and large hollow cavity in the front caused them to expand really well.
Deleted. Duplicate post.
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