Several Q's on Classic Lee Loader

Here's Hodgdon rifle load data for IMR 4227 with 158 grs SWC:

https://shop.hodgdon.com/reloading-data-center

That's published at 1680 fps from an 18.5" barrel. You may pick up a few more fps with the 24" barrel, but not a lot. That's about as fast as you want to run cast, and while the R92 is a strong action, exceeding max SAAMI pressure isn't a good idea. That combo should be fine for your intended use. Happy hunting.

Never got the best velocity from 4227 in 44 or 357 pistols. Accuracy was always good. Win 296, h110, and 2400 have always been best for velocity.

Exceeding max loads is generally not a great idea. If a manual shows a max load that is not what you want it is better to get a different powder. Trying to make magnum loads with a fast burning pistol powder is a recipe for disaster. There is no formula that allows you to do so. Adding 1% more powder gets you about .25% more velocity. Not a worthwhile gain. However pressure is not always linear. To get a small change in velocity it may take a large change in pressure. Several data sources list pressures and the difference between the minimum and the maximum load can be startling.

Your first loading efforts will probably be more successful with jacketed bullets. Lead bullets in handguns can be tricky. Lead bullets in rifles present the issue of higher velocity, sometimes much higher, than in a rifle. A great pistol load may be complete crap in a rifle. No leading in a pistol. Huge leading in a rifle. Have even had bullets strip in the rifling leaving pieces of lead in the barrel. My wife’s Marlin 357 was purchased cheaply as the owner said it had a bad barrel. Pushing a patch thru it produced actual pieces of lead. A deep cleaning and it will group 2 inches at 100 yards with Hornady 158 grain bullets and Win 296.

Hunting with .357 rifle and uses a Lee Loader!

That sound like amazing fun!

M357R said:

Can a rifle handle a bit more? Is there a formula/rule of thumb for an increase? ie... 18 grns X 1%

Click to expand...

No. Cartridge Max Pressure is Cartridge Max Pressure. It doesn't matter what you're shooting the cartridge in.

Obviously, the pressure that will damage a gun varies with the gun, but that doesn't change Cartridge Max Pressure.

At the beginning stages of reloading, stick with data from the manual.

Of the powders you have, Lil Gun has the highest published velocity (haven't tried it so can't comment on real world results).

Having great success with IMR 4227, it's now the main powder I use when loading for both of my 357 Magnum rifles. Similar velocity to 2400 loads, less than H110... but better accuracy than either. It does demand magnum primers.

158 grain coated lead round nose flat points in both rifles. 15.2 grains powder for the Henry X, getting ~1550 fps from 17.4" barrel.
11.0 grains powder for the Winchester 1873, getting ~1060 fps from 16" barrel.

Your 24" barrel will likely produce more velocity with similar loads- IMR 4227 is about the slowest powder practical for this cartridge, & benefits greatly from increased barrel length.

If your chasing velocity and cast bullets, consider gas checked bullets. I have 2 pistol caliber carbines and I figger the guns were designed for a pistol cartridge, so loading with pistol data is good enough and the added velocity from longer barrels is just a perk. I've always reloaded for accuracy and effectiveness and velocity is third (I figger a 158 gr hit at 1,100 fps is way better than a 158 gr miss at 1,500 fps). My concerns for a "hunting" load is first bullet shape. Some of the best bullets designed for hunting is Ranch Dog designs. Proven accurate and effective. For my 44 Mag carbine I use 265 gr cast RNFP. Next is accuracy. On a good day I can get 8 shot groups around 2"-3" @ 50 yds. from my 44 Mag loads (I have a good load using Bluedot) For my 45 ACP I use a 200 ge SWC for effectiveness but it's not a hunting gun for me.

If the bullet is not designed for gas checks you can’t add them. There is no place for them to crimp onto.

You can try using a .360 waxed card wad on the base - a dollop of soft lube on the base of the bullet and the card wad stuck to it. It could offer enough protection to avoid gas cutting, though I wouldn't get your hopes too high. Load some up and give it a shot. If you are getting poor accuracy and leading, it's not working.