148 DEWC in .357mag

[novaDAK]

I searched and didn't find much at all about this. I know some people load wadcutters in .357mag brass, but download to .38 levels for target shooting.

Well, since I have about 200 pieces of .357 brass and lots of hardcast 148gr DEWC from when I reload .38spl, I loaded up 50 rounds of standard .357mag (NOT downloaded to .38 levels).

I used mostly R-P brass with:

148gr Cast D.E. Wadcutters
13gr 2400 powder
CCI 550 Small Pistol Magnum primers

seated the bullet to the last crimp groove and put on a nice crimp. The book I'm using (an old Speer manual from the 1970s, forget which edition exactly) lists for a similar weight bullet a starting load of 12.7 w/ a max of 14.7gr so I figured 13 would be a nice even start.

I haven't shot any yet but I'm going to try to get to the range this weekend to shoot some of these (along with some of the .38 I loaded up...the same 148gr DEWC with 4.2gr Unique/CCI 500 SP primers). I don't have access to a chrono so I don't know what kind of velocity I'll get out of the .357.

 

[Walkalong]

I usually end up at .1 to .2 more grains of fast powder in .357 cases than I use in .38 cases for target loads with 148 DEWC's and 158 Gr SWC/HP plated bullets.

I have had "so so" success with any thing other than fast powders for velocities in the 700 to 800 range with those weights.

 

[novaDAK]

Yeah I've heard that before regarding light .357 loads. I use 2400 for .44mag so I'm comfortable with slower powders for magnum loads. That's why I used 2400 for my .357mag loads. For my .38 loads I used Unique since it is not as fast as Bullseye (I'm new to reloading and wanted an 'easier' powder to learn with for .38, since I hear Bullseye is sensitive to minor 'mistakes' more than other powders, of course I take my time with each charge to avoid making mistakes in the first place).

Does anyone have an estimate of the velocity and pressure I'd see with the above stated magnum load? Since this isn't a common load I am just curious as to if the seating depth of the wadcutter would increase the pressure too much, or if that is more of a concern with fast burning powders. Thanks in advance everyone.

 

[Steve C]

Your load will likely be around 1,200 fps. The "One Book" for .357 mag has Lyman listing their 141gr flat base WC at 1,015 fps with 10.5grs of 2400 and 1,382 fps with 14.5grs. The RCBS data says their 148gr DEWC runs 1,172 fps with 12.5grs and 1,256 with 13.6grs.

Using a 158gr jacketed bullet on top of 14.0grs of 2400 lit off by a standard CCI small pistol primer I measured the average velocity out of my S&W 4" M66 at 1,243 fps average or about where factory ammo is running. Lead runs a little faster and the bullet is lighter so depeing upon gun barrel length, primer, temperature etc. etc. your velocities should be up there.

 

[zxcvbob]

5.7 grains of Bullseye with a 148 grain DEWC in a .357 Magnum case is a powerful load. It should run north of 1400 fps.

 

[novaDAK]

Thanks Steve for the info. Much appreciated.

Bob I have an alliant data .pdf from a few years ago that lists that load.

5.7gr Bullseye gives 1475fps

and also lists

6.4gr Unique gives 1465fps

No data for 2400 is listed in this .pdf which is why I was curious.

Thanks again.

 

[Walkalong]

I guess you are not loading these wadcutters for target use. I assumed target velocities when I read wadcutter.

I would be trying WSF, AA #5, N330/40 and similar burn rates to push them fast, as you have with Unique. It should work well.

 

[Seafarer12]

I like to keep lead down to around 1000 fps but that is just me. I usually save the 2400 for full tilt jacketed loads. You will have to let us know how accuracy is.

 

[novaDAK]

Walkalong you are correct.

Seafarer, will do.

 

[novaDAK]

Well it worked well today! Gun was a Security Six (4"bbl). Just as accurate as the factory 158gr JSP I normally shoot, recoil not as bad but definately 'noticeable'. Also shot my 148gr DEWC .38 reloads. Same results, less recoil and blast. I used 2400 for .357 and Unique for .38.

 

[Roper1952]

Please be aware that a DEW will use up case volume quickly. Unique is very sensitive to compression. Before you load up the first round, measure your Unique, pour it in the case, measure and mark the level on the outside of the case, then place the DEW next to the case lining up the crimp groove. Make sure there is a space between the powder level and bullet base.

Do not compress Unique, it gains pressure rapidly when compressed.

 

[ArchAngelCD]

If when you shoot those rounds you aren't happy with the results you get from 2400 I would suggest trying HS-6. I've had very good success with middle-hot lead loads and HS-6.

 

[novaDAK]

Roper1952, I was only using Unique in .38spl, with a charge of about 4.2gr. Plenty of empty space (I checked )

ArchAngelCD I'll remember that.

Thanks everyone.

 

[joneb]

I've had very good success with middle-hot lead loads and HS-6.

I had great results with 7.0gr of HS-6 with .358" LSWC wsp in .357 mag. but with .357" LSWC not so good. I tried 6.1gr of Bullseye with the .357" and they shot pretty dang good.

 

[novaDAK]

The box of bullets I'm using says they're .357". I got some leading but with a few passes of a bore brush almost all of it's gone. Funny though the can of 2400 I'm using is probably from the 70's. It's Hercules (before Alliant bought them) and I used load data from a 1974 loadbook that belongs to my father. The unique (I used in .38) was new within a month and I used recent alliant data.