[The Bolt Man]

I have a quantity of 125 grain Rainier plated HP bullets that I want to load in my 357 magnum Ruger Security Six. I have already loaded the 158 grain Rainier HP for this revolver with great accuracy using 700X, Win. 231 and AA 5.

I would like to stick with the three powders above but Accurate doesn't list a 125 grain bullet and I can't find any 125 grain lead bullet data using 700X or 231.

If any of you are using 125 grain plated bullets for the 357 magnum pistol, I would appreciate any load data you can shore with me that is working for you.

[Walkalong]

The 125 Gr plated bullet & 4.0 to 4.5 Grs of 700X in .357 brass should shoot well. Adjust for the velocity you want. W-231 will take a bit more powder. About 4.2 to 4.7, or maybe a little more.

Use 75% to 80% of 125 Gr jacketed bullet data with AA #5 for a stouter load.

This is for .357 brass in a .357 gun.

[Steve C]

Reduce the maximum jacketed bullet data by 20% for your start load and assume that the (10% reduced) jacketed start load is the maximum. This usually puts you within data for lead bullets. For the .357 mag you certainly will not be at any risk of sticking a bullet in the barrel,

[Skinnedknuckles]

The Hodgdon web site now lists loading data for both the 125 gr MEI hard cast lead bullet and the 125 gr XTP jacketed bullet for 700-X (http://data.hodgdon.com/cartridge_load.asp). That should get you what you need to develop a load you like.

[701]

I believe the lee book (complete reloading guide, or something like that) has loads for 125 plated. If I recall, they use accurate no 7 and/or 9, though I cannot recall how many grains of them. I want to say it is around 7-10, but please do not quote me on that. I don't have it handy and its been quite some time since I have loaded them, but I also was using berry plated, and I believe that is what I used. I know it was in the book though, as I'm just getting started in reading and am running strictly "by the book" as I'm still learning. Hope that helps a bit

[The Bolt Man]

Thanks for the helpful suggestions.

701,

I have the Lee Loading Manual and the listing for a 125 grain plated bullet contains only Accurate powders.

Skinnedknuckles,

I did check out the Hodgdon site and found the listing you refer to. That does help.

Thanks also to Steve C and Walkalong for their suggestions.

I now have have enough information to get started working up test loads using the Rainier 125 grain plated HP.