[actionflies]

Can someone recommend a load and OAL for 357 magnum using Ranier 148gr DEWC. I have Clays, Titegroup, 231, Unique, and HS-6 powder. Thanks!

[loadedround]

The DEWC was designed as a 38 Special target bullet. You would be better served loading this bullet in 38 special cases with 3.0 gr of 231. If you want to load them in 357 cases, you can use 3.3 gr of 231, but I would not expect great accuracy with that load. You are aware I assume, that this bullet is to be seated flush with the case mouth with just a kiss of crimp.

[ArchAngelCD]

WC bullets are usually loaded flush with the rim of the case.
I usually load my 148gr Wadcutter .38 Special target rounds with 3.5gr W231 or 2.5gr Clays. That should work fine for the .357 Magnum case too. Titegroup and HS-6 can be used too but the more popular powders are W231 and Clays because they are clean and accurate.

[actionflies]

Thank you Loadedround for the info. I was not aware of the DEWC for 38 special. I will try loading it for my 357 since I don't want to re-adjust my dies for 38 special and no 38 special brass either. I bought a total of 5k of Ranier bullets for $125 and 1k of it was DEWC and 4k of 158gr HP. A pretty good deal.:)

[Walkalong]

It will work. I have done it with both Raniers and Berry's. Some brass will be extra tight seating the bullet though. Just try a couple with your brass and see. Mine shot fine. The bullets don't know the difference. :)

I really like the Ranier 125 and 140 Grain RFP's. They shoot real well in .38 and .357 brass.

The X-Treme 158 Gr SWC is another excellent choice which shoots very well in both cases.

Of the powders you listed, I would recommend W-231 & Clays for light target loads. HS-6 is going to be dirty at .38 Spl levels, especially light .38's. Unique will be dirtier as well, but is a good powder.

AA #2, Red Dot or 700X are good ones if you want to try something you don't have.

[Smokey Joe]

Actionflies--just to add to the debate, I use 3.4 grains of W 231 with 148 grain lead DEWC's, in a .357 magnum case. I don't care to use .38 spl cases; that would just be one more different case to process and keep separate.

Accuracy is good enough for bullseye competition, at least at my level of expertise. In my pistol league, have never heard anyone say that .357 mag cases make the target load less accurate than .38 spl cases, given that you load to the preference of your particular pistol (which you would do anyhow!)

As it happens, I seat the bullets to the first (outermost) crimp groove, not flush with the case mouth. Works for me.

With a revolver, and a flat-nosed bullet like a WC, max OAL is almost a non-issue. You want an OAL that your pistol is happy with, and you want consistency.

And for target work (also for case longevity) you want the crimp only to remove the bell-mouth and turn inwards, nothing more. The less bell-mouth and the less crimp you use, the longer your cases last.

I use mixed-manufacture cases with good results, but keep 'em all the same length to within 0.005". This makes the crimp more consistent. Most of my cases are Starline, but any range pick-ups I get go right into the same bucket.

Good luck in yr reloading and target shooting! :)

[loadedround]

Actionflies: Let me comment on part of my original reply. I din't mean to imply that accuracy will go to H--l with 357 cases but should have said that with fast powder and the extra empty case space in the 357 round gave poorer accuracy in my Python than with 38 Special cases. It is possible that you may find the exact opposite. Just don't try to push them too fast or they will become unstable in some revolvers. No problem seating these bullets to the first crimping groove except you are again increasing empty space in your cartridge case and could affect your accuracy +/-. :(

[CZ57]

This will also depend on the style of DEWC you have. There are some that have a small crimp groove on both ends and when loading this type, you'll have lead/plated bullet exposed above the casemouth. In .357 Magnum cases, a start charge with Unique might be worth looking at.;)

Smokey Joe, is using the same type I'm describing, and since he has a tried and true 231 load, that makes things easier still.

[Walkalong]

a start charge with Unique might be worth looking at.
Nah. 700X. ;) :neener:

[CZ57]

Nah, AA#2!;):neener:

Unfortunately, actionflies doesn't list either in his inventory. Since 100 divides so well by the 5 he has, I'd probably load 20 each with each powder. I think any of them will work and depending on the desired velocity, there is some good flexibilty there.;)

[zxcvbob]

Are you looking for light target loads, or heavy magnum loads? You can go either way with DEWC's.

[CZ57]

Exacary!;)

[loadedround]

Cxcvbob: Magnum loads with a DEWC really...? :uhoh:

[DMZ]

Actionflies--just to add to the debate, I use 3.4 grains of W 231 with 148 grain lead DEWC's, in a .357 magnum case. I don't care to use .38 spl cases; that would just be one more different case to process and keep separate.

Accuracy is good enough for bullseye competition, at least at my level of expertise. In my pistol league, have never heard anyone say that .357 mag cases make the target load less accurate than .38 spl cases, given that you load to the preference of your particular pistol (which you would do anyhow!)

As it happens, I seat the bullets to the first (outermost) crimp groove, not flush with the case mouth. Works for me.


I too use 3.4 gr of 231, in .357 mag cases, but under 148gr BBWC's, lightly crimping on the last groove as well. This is a very accurate load in my GP100 and a hell of a lot of fun to shoot.

[zxcvbob]

Magnum loads with a DEWC really...? :uhoh:

Yes. I've just loaded some a few days ago but no chance to try them out yet. 5.7 grains of Bullseye. Supposed to clock about 1475 fps according to Alliant.

[jibjab]

I've loaded Speer 148 BBWC with 4.5grs of Bullseye and small pistol primers seated to the crimp groove in .357 cases, these loads are very accurate in my Ruger Sec. Six w/a 2.75" barrel. In my 4" Colt Trooper 4.0grs of Be works the best, I guess this may have something to do with the different barrel twists and length ?

[firinginfenton]

I've found 148gr LWC works well with 2.5gr Clays in 38/357 but plated 148gr WC clogged up the barrel on my S&W 66. So now plated 148gr WC get 3.0 Clays, 357 brass, seated flush. VERY CLEAN and ACCURATE. :) You just wipe off the gun and "forget about it".;)

[Walkalong]

So now plated 148gr WC get 3.0 Clays, 357 brass, seated flush. VERY CLEAN and ACCURATE.
Hmmm.... I have some Clays laying around doing nothing, as well as plated 148 WC's. I think I will try that, along with some with Bullseye.

I know. Blasphemy. I have never tried Bullseye in the .38 right!

My excuse? I just got it a couple of months ago. 700X had been working so well, I never tried it. Bought the Bullseye to try in the .45.

[firinginfenton]

Walkalong,
Be aware that Hodgdon calls for 2.5gr Clays with 148gr LWC in 38spl cases.
That load worked OK for me using 357 grass BUT when I switched to Rainier plated 148gr WC some shot fine and a few STUCK in the barrel. NOT GOOD!

So now I use 3.0gr of Clays with 357 brass and haven't had any problems but I'm always listening and watching for that possible squib.
I've shot a couple thousand rounds with this receipe and just loaded another 500 rounds last night.

What works for me and my gun may not work for others and people should aways follow the factory recommended loads.

[Walkalong]

Gotcha.

[ArchAngelCD]

I've found 148gr LWC works well with 2.5gr Clays in 38/357 but plated 148gr WC clogged up the barrel on my S&W 66. So now plated 148gr WC get 3.0 Clays, 357 brass, seated flush. VERY CLEAN and ACCURATE. You just wipe off the gun and "forget about it".
Just be careful with Clays. When you get near the top end just a tenth of a grain grain or so can spike the pressure quite high. It's not like W231 where your pressure will increase gradually.

Clays is like a wonder powder for loading for the .38 Special and .45 Auto. Loads using Clays in those 2 calibers are scary accurate and very clean like said above.