243winxb
Member
Alliant 2400 @ 13gr. with 158gr cast. I use mag. primer, other use standard. Dont matter IMO
Load data for .357 Magnum 158 gr. LSWCHP
- Thread starter minutemen1776
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Landric
Member
I've tried 13 grains of 2400 with 158, 173, and 200 grain cast bullets in .357 Magnum in both a 2 1/4" Ruger SP101 and a 4" S&W 681-3.
158 grain LSWC: Ruger Ave. 983 fps, S&W Ave. 1089 fps
173 grain LSWC: Ruger Ave. 959 fps, S&W Ave. 1028 fps
200 grain RNL: Ruger Ave. 1057 fps, S&W Ave. 1155 fps
Of the three, the 200 grain load is the only one I consider a full power magnum. The others could be pushed a lot further, and 1100+ fps should be no problem out of a snubbie with a 158 grain LSWCHP.
On the other hand, the same 13 grains of 2400 in .38 Special brass with the 173 grain LSWC gave me an average of 1096 fps out of the SP101 and 1201 fps out of the 681-3. However, that load is way over max by today's .38 Special standards (though not by Elmer Keith's) and gave me slightly sticky extraction, so I wouldn't try and push it any further.
158 grain LSWC: Ruger Ave. 983 fps, S&W Ave. 1089 fps
173 grain LSWC: Ruger Ave. 959 fps, S&W Ave. 1028 fps
200 grain RNL: Ruger Ave. 1057 fps, S&W Ave. 1155 fps
Of the three, the 200 grain load is the only one I consider a full power magnum. The others could be pushed a lot further, and 1100+ fps should be no problem out of a snubbie with a 158 grain LSWCHP.
On the other hand, the same 13 grains of 2400 in .38 Special brass with the 173 grain LSWC gave me an average of 1096 fps out of the SP101 and 1201 fps out of the 681-3. However, that load is way over max by today's .38 Special standards (though not by Elmer Keith's) and gave me slightly sticky extraction, so I wouldn't try and push it any further.
Quoheleth
Member
I know this is an old thread, but since I had subscribed to it it was easy to find.
I finally acquired some 2400 last week and was going to start putting together some .357 158gr SWCs with it. I checked Lee's 2nd edition of Modern Reloading. Seeing starting charge of 13.9gr and max of 15.3 (which Lee shows to be 34K CUPs), I planned to load an even 14.0gr to start.
Then something clicked in my brain from this thread. I had my Lyman Pistol & Revolver Handbook (3rd Edition) laying open, so I flipped over to their .357 pistol data and almost laid a solid gold brick. They show start as 10.6 and max of 14.0, and that max charge of 41900CUPs.
While my 14.0 "start" charge wouldn't have been overcharged, Lee is way wrong on this one. Were they using old data when SAAMI still had the .357 Magnum jacked up in the 1500fps range? My GP100 probably could handle an overcharge in the 14+ range, but I don't want to try it.
Anyway, this is a "thank you" to those who posted in this thread last fall, making that little "click" happen in my mind. It also serves as a caveat that it doesn't hurt to cross-check manuals and see what they recommend.
(On the other hand, this is also a note of wonder...Alliant doesn't even have a recommended recipie for 2400 and .357 Magnum loads.)
I want something with a little more authority than the Unique load, so I'm going to start @ 12gr and work up towards 14. Do you think .5gr increments is sufficient, or should I go with smaller steps?
Q
I finally acquired some 2400 last week and was going to start putting together some .357 158gr SWCs with it. I checked Lee's 2nd edition of Modern Reloading. Seeing starting charge of 13.9gr and max of 15.3 (which Lee shows to be 34K CUPs), I planned to load an even 14.0gr to start.
Then something clicked in my brain from this thread. I had my Lyman Pistol & Revolver Handbook (3rd Edition) laying open, so I flipped over to their .357 pistol data and almost laid a solid gold brick. They show start as 10.6 and max of 14.0, and that max charge of 41900CUPs.
While my 14.0 "start" charge wouldn't have been overcharged, Lee is way wrong on this one. Were they using old data when SAAMI still had the .357 Magnum jacked up in the 1500fps range? My GP100 probably could handle an overcharge in the 14+ range, but I don't want to try it.
Anyway, this is a "thank you" to those who posted in this thread last fall, making that little "click" happen in my mind. It also serves as a caveat that it doesn't hurt to cross-check manuals and see what they recommend.
(On the other hand, this is also a note of wonder...Alliant doesn't even have a recommended recipie for 2400 and .357 Magnum loads.)
I want something with a little more authority than the Unique load, so I'm going to start @ 12gr and work up towards 14. Do you think .5gr increments is sufficient, or should I go with smaller steps?
Q
zxcvbob
Member
Actually, they do. In their previous load book, before they took out all the cast bullet data except for pipsqueak "cowboy" loads, they recommended 15.3 grains max with 158 grain SWC's @ 1.58" overall length. It's supposed to be 34000 psi. That's probably where Richard Lee copied the data from.
I suspect Alliant did that because the velocity is too high for Speer swaged bullets.
http://thehighroad.us/attachment.php?attachmentid=81593&d=1216513445
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_N4Z_
Member
Don't know about Lymans pistol & revolver 3rd, but the Lyman 49th reloading Manual lists their loads using magnum primers. Lee 2nd loads are listed for standard primers. May explain the discrepancy.
Quoheleth
Member
So, would the 15gr load be safe, then? I'm using a 6" GP100, Missouri Bullets, Privi and Speer brass (the Speer is actually nickle). I don't know if I'll want to go that hot, but it might be fun to try...if it is safe.
Q
Q
zxcvbob
Member
I'd shoot it. In a strong gun, I'd probably take it to 15.5 or a little higher. But you have to decide that yourself.
_N4Z_
Member
I have shot 158gr jacketed sp's over 15gr of 2400, with standard primers, out of a gp100 with a six inch barrel, and had no issue. That was my gp with me driving. Your mileage may vary.
Now with my 1894c I've backed down to the low 14's. Brass was stretching with the hotter 15 grain loads out of that rifle, and that's no good.
Now your using lead which I've not pushed that fast, but it's in the Lee manual as good to go. Work your way up from the starting load, as the manual instructs, and you should be OK. I've yet to have any issues with anything I've tried using Lee 2nd ed.
Now with my 1894c I've backed down to the low 14's. Brass was stretching with the hotter 15 grain loads out of that rifle, and that's no good.
Now your using lead which I've not pushed that fast, but it's in the Lee manual as good to go. Work your way up from the starting load, as the manual instructs, and you should be OK. I've yet to have any issues with anything I've tried using Lee 2nd ed.
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ArchAngelCD
Member.
When using a lead bullet in the .357 Magnum I've gotten really good success with HS-6. It's an old tried and true powder that is extremely accurate with lead bullets and usually generated less pressure than other powders with a similar burn rate. I also use HS-6 when loading FBI replica loads for the .38 Special, again, with very good success.
GP100man
Member
I cast these & wind up with `bout 11 bhn & got to 13.5grs of 2400 & started strippin em , the chrono said 1250 fps so I backed off to 13.2 grs & there happy goin 1190fps!
Sorry to be so late on this thread , been out with the family & to a gunshow.
These are an Ideal 358156 HP with the Gas Check removed.
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Sorry to be so late on this thread , been out with the family & to a gunshow.
These are an Ideal 358156 HP with the Gas Check removed.
mineralman55
Member
Interesting thread. I'm looking for some light 158 gr LSWC loads in my 6" 586 using Silhouette and HS-6. Any min-max suggestions?
ArchAngelCD
Member.
mineralman55,
Hodgdon lists a min charge of 6.0gr HS-6 and a max charge of 7.0gr HS-5 with a 158gr lead bullet. Those are very light loads for a .357 Magnum. I'm guessing they are worried about leading because the reported pressure with the 7.0gr charge is only 15,500 CUP, that's not even near the pressure limits for a .38 Special. With the correct bullet you can push lead a lot faster than 1000 fps without leading. When I use HS-6 in a .357 Magnum with a 158gr LSWC I use a charge well over 7.0gr and get no leading at all. Mind you, any charge over 7.0gr is more than Hodgdon lists but really now, only 15,500 CUP in a Magnum round?? Please...
Lyman #49 (the newest manual) lists a min charge of 8.8gr HS-6 and a max charge of 9.7gr with a 155gr LSWC bullet. I usually charge 8.5gr HS-6 and that gives me just under 1000 fps from a 4" barrel.
Hope this helps a bit...
Hodgdon lists a min charge of 6.0gr HS-6 and a max charge of 7.0gr HS-5 with a 158gr lead bullet. Those are very light loads for a .357 Magnum. I'm guessing they are worried about leading because the reported pressure with the 7.0gr charge is only 15,500 CUP, that's not even near the pressure limits for a .38 Special. With the correct bullet you can push lead a lot faster than 1000 fps without leading. When I use HS-6 in a .357 Magnum with a 158gr LSWC I use a charge well over 7.0gr and get no leading at all. Mind you, any charge over 7.0gr is more than Hodgdon lists but really now, only 15,500 CUP in a Magnum round?? Please...
Lyman #49 (the newest manual) lists a min charge of 8.8gr HS-6 and a max charge of 9.7gr with a 155gr LSWC bullet. I usually charge 8.5gr HS-6 and that gives me just under 1000 fps from a 4" barrel.
Hope this helps a bit...
nitroexpress
Member
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- Sep 4, 2011
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I have a bunch of HS-6 left over from my 20 ga skeet days that I have tried in my 357.
I tried it with a Speer 158 LSWCHP and a CCI 550.
It is accurate and fun to shoot. Relatively clean burning at higher loadings.
I tried it with a Speer 158 LSWCHP and a CCI 550.
It is accurate and fun to shoot. Relatively clean burning at higher loadings.
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