Looking for Midrange load for 357 and LSWCHP 158Gr

Random 8 said:

Also note on the Hodgdon online data, the max load is well below Pmax for the cartridge with both 231 and HS-6. This is in deference to the velocity limitations of the bullet they are using. If you have a good, hard bullet capable of higher velocities, there is some room on the top end. In my case I found 7gr HS-6 to be suitable for my purposes and stopped there. I did try the HP-38/W231 load also, but found it a bit "blasty" and unpleasant to shoot vs the HS-6 load.

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Kudos for pointing that out! That's why the bullet matters. Linotype vs. Alloy #2 vs. Swaged/Soft lead behave completely differently when they hit the forcing cone and rifling.
Lyman #2 Alloy is 5% tin, 5% antimony, and 90% lead (15 BHN) . Linotype is generally 4% tin, 12% antimony, and 84% lead (20 to 22 BHN).

All components matter.

You're going to be surprised just how low the velocities will be in those short bbl'd revolvers.

I use a full house load of 2400 in my 586 l-comp to get 1200fps from a cast/coated 158gr hp.

forrest r said:

You're going to be surprised just how low the velocities will be in those short bbl'd revolvers.

I use a full house load of 2400 in my 586 l-comp to get 1200fps from a cast/coated 158gr hp.

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2400 is a pretty slow powder. Maybe you should try a faster powder so that more powder will ignite before it hits the atmosphere.

You should probably have something that will do the trick in that list, but I'll throw Universal in the hat in case none of them work out. I've found it to be very good for practically every application in pistol loading. Hodgdon lists the starting load at 890 FPS, and it can be taken all the way up to 1,247. I personally use it for mid-power .357 loads with good results.

SunnySlopes said:

2400 is a pretty slow powder. Maybe you should try a faster powder so that more powder will ignite before it hits the atmosphere.

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Why???
So my loads will even be slower than 2400!!!

Perhaps you should consider doing some real world testing. There are powders that out perform others with p+ level loads in several different calibers. When it comes down to high pressure loads in short bbl'd 357's, the cream rises to the top.

forrest r said:

Why???
So my loads will even be slower than 2400!!!

Perhaps you should consider doing some real world testing. There are powders that out perform others with p+ level loads in several different calibers. When it comes down to high pressure loads in short bbl'd 357's, the cream rises to the top.

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2400 is a slow powder. It takes longer to ignite and longer barrels are desirable. In a short barreled gun, to which you earlier alluded, it's mostly going to ignite after it exits the barrel. A faster powder is desirable for short barreled guns. I personally use Unique. Google "relative burn rates" for more info.

SunnySlopes said:

2400 is a slow powder. It takes longer to ignite and longer barrels are desirable. In a short barreled gun, to which you earlier alluded, it's mostly going to ignite after it exits the barrel. A faster powder is desirable for short barreled guns. I personally use Unique. Google "relative burn rates" for more info.

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i can't let this one go: all pistol powders are "fast", no powder burns outside the barrel as "all burn" occurs when the bullet has moved about an inch, @forrest r is trying to be nice and, i agree, the only way to gauge velocities is over a chronograph.

regarding the op, you will need the 2400 powder to get 1200 fps out of a three inch barrel.

luck,

murf

I load 6.2gr Unique under 158gr under my cast LNFP.
The load works well in everything from my 2⅛" sp101 to my 1894c carbine.

Not too wild, not too mild~

murf said:

i can't let this one go: all pistol powders are "fast", no powder burns outside the barrel as "all burn" occurs when the bullet has moved about an inch, @forrest r is trying to be nice and, i agree, the only way to gauge velocities is over a chronograph.

regarding the op, you will need the 2400 powder to get 1200 fps out of a three inch barrel.

luck,

murf

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No big deal, most people parrot what they read or assume things, that's all.

I just find it odd that a lot of people don't do any real world testing with their snubnosed/short bbl'd firearms. +/- 100fps doesn't mean mush with a longer bbl'd firearm. But the same loads can make a huge difference when it comes to bbl lengths.

Myself, I own that snubnosed 357 for a reason and did extensive testing with different powder/bullet combo's. Made extra loads and tested them in 4", 6", 8" & 10" bbl'd 357's while I was testing in the snubnose.

forrest r said:

No big deal, most people parrot what they read or assume things, that's all.

I just find it odd that a lot of people don't do any real world testing with their snubnosed/short bbl'd firearms. +/- 100fps doesn't mean mush with a longer bbl'd firearm. But the same loads can make a huge difference when it comes to bbl lengths.

Myself, I own that snubnosed 357 for a reason and did extensive testing with different powder/bullet combo's. Made extra loads and tested them in 4", 6", 8" & 10" bbl'd 357's while I was testing in the snubnose.

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you understand this, but a lot of onlookers may not. the chrony tells the tale.

murf

BKS said:

I only have regular primers though

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I'd work with the Unique then, The HS-6 seems to do better for me with magnum primers for 38 spl and 357 mag. with 158gr bullets.

Another vote for Unique.

joneb said:

I'd work with the Unique then, The HS-6 seems to do better for me with magnum primers for 38 spl and 357 mag. with 158gr bullets.

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For my 38 or 357 revolvers 6.0 grains of HS6 in a 38 case with a 158 grain bullet and a magnum primer is just unbelievably accurate.