158gr LSWC for SP101 (low leading load)

[ssyoumans]

Just picked up a 3" SP101 to go with my 6" GP100. I'm looking for the right combination of bullet and powder to minimize leading. Ideally, would like a 38 +P and a mid+357 Mag load.
All loads will be loaded in 357 Mag cases.

Powders: I've got Bullseye, 231, Unique, Power Pistol, Blue Dot, and 2400.
Bullets: 158gr LSWC 357 Action and 38 Match from MBC.

I had some 2400 with 13.0, 13.5, and 14gr with the 357 Action and I got too much leading. Yes, this was hotter than I am looking for but it's what I had loaded. Was thinking about dropping it down to 12.0gr and see if any better?

Anyone have suggestions for low leading combinations using the above? I'm tired from brushing out lead, and I didn't have much luck using a Chore Boy. Kept, coming apart.

 

[Blue68f100]

I would slug the barrel so you will have a good idea on bullet size to use. You will want a soft bullet with proper fit for the best results. I like using the 2400 powder for my lead 38's and 357mag loads.

 

[mbopp]

My 19-3 357 never did like the "classic" load of 3gr Bullseye & 148 WC's. For the soft 158gr bullets 4.5-4.7gr of Unique worked well. For the 158 hard Action bullets I found 5gr of W231 to be a snappy, accurate +P load. Both were assembled in Federal 357 cases.

 

[Paladin38-40]

Options

I have good results dropping to 12.0 grains of 2400, 158 gr MBC .38 Match, .357 cases. Chronograph results from a 4" S&W model 28 shows "magnum lite" velocity ave. 1113 fps. Leading is very minor. That may or may not be the best receipe for a different gun. You could slug your gun as already suggested, then call MBC as they are very helpful. Otherwise it is pretty much trial and error.

 

[rcmodel]

Slugging the bore on a revolver is not going to tell you much.

Slugging the chamber throats is what will tell you what size bullets to use.

If bullets are loose in the throats, you will get gas blow-by, gas cutting, and leading.

If they fit the throats, you won't.

rc

 

[ArchAngelCD]

The .357 Action bullets are hard so they need to be pushed with a fairly high pressure for them not to lead. I would suggest a charge of 5.0gr W231 for a start. Dropping back on the charge of 2400 will still generate more velocity but the pressure will be less and probably cause leading because the bullet is so hard. If you are going to make .38 Special +P loads even in .357 Magnum brass you might want to use a softer bullet. (and the same charge of W231)

 

[ssyoumans]

Archangel- that's what I've been thinking too.
So for a 38 +P with mag case, use the 38 Match MBC bullet with 5.0gr of 231 or 5.0gr of Unique. Low pressure round.

The harder 357 Action bullet maybe stick with Unique to keep pressure up but velocity & recoil down. Maybe 6.2gr of Unique. I see 6.8gr max.
Blue dot and 2400 pressures would be too low to cause the bullet to seal at modest velocities.

 

[Paladin38-40]

Reference

Penn Bullets at http://www.pennbullets.com. See "Reloading Tips for Young and Old." Included is a section: "Leading Issues Discussed." It's worth a read.

 

[joneb]

I have had good results with cast swc bhn 12-14 in 357 mag cases using 4.5gr of W-231 and standard primers, 4.0gr of Bullseye would also be worth a try.

I've loaded the Laser cast swc for 357 mag bhn ? with 4.5-5.2gr of Bullseye and it did better than working up W-231 for me. I think Unique would be your best option for the action bullet in a mid-range load, I prefer AA#5 for this as my powder throw does not meter Unique accurately.

 

[kludge]

With your list of powders I'd go with W231/HP-38 for .38 and .38+P (might be the best powder for .38) and 2400 for .357 loads. Your .38 Match bullets would probably be better at standard .38 pressure/velocity, and .38+P might not be fast enough for the .357 Action bullets.

You may have to play with the loads a bit to find the load the leads you barrel the least. Too slow and it will lead, too fast and it will lead.

As mentioned - slug the bore to find the best diameter bullet for your gun.

I use Bullseye for cat fart .38 loads (3.4gr BE under 158gr LSWC), but only until it's gone, then I'll complete the switch over to No.2 or American Select for light loads.

 

[ArchAngelCD]

Archangel- that's what I've been thinking too.
So for a 38 +P with mag case, use the 38 Match MBC bullet with 5.0gr of 231 or 5.0gr of Unique. Low pressure round.

The harder 357 Action bullet maybe stick with Unique to keep pressure up but velocity & recoil down. Maybe 6.2gr of Unique. I see 6.8gr max.
Blue dot and 2400 pressures would be too low to cause the bullet to seal at modest velocities.

I think you have it all right there. I would suggest giving that a try... I have a strong feeling it will work out well.

 

[Steve C]

Where you get your leading tells you a lot about what can be the cause. IF the leading is at the first part of the barrel just in front of the forcing cone then you are getting gas cutting caused by too hard a bullet for the pressure the load is generating, undersized bullets, or have an issue with the cylinder throats being too small for bore size.

If your leading is only at the muzzle end of the barrel then its likely your velocity is too high for the bullet hardness or the bullet is running out of lube.

If your leading is evenly distributed then your problems are likely a multiple of both issues.

For a .38 spl +P load using 158gr swagged bullets from Speer or Hornady I usually load 4.7 grs of W231 or 5.2grs of Unique. In Winchester cases with WSP primer this duplicates +P Winchester 158gr LSWCHP Super X of 890 +/- fps chrono'd from 4" revolvers. For standard pressure I drop to 4.5grs of either.

With the .357 mag using 158gr hard cast I load to typical .357 mag velocities of around 1,250 fps from a 4" revolver using 13.0grs of 2400 or 12.0grs of AA#9.

 

[GooseGestapo]

4.5gr of Bullseye and 6.0gr of Unique have always worked for me. These will obturate both the bullets to throat and case walls to the chamber.

The 3.0gr load of Bullseye and 148gr HB waducter needs to be upped to 3.5gr if using a .357mag case.

 

[ssyoumans]

I gave 5.2gr of Unique with the MBC 38 Match (12 BHN) 158gr LSWC a try. Per quickload this is 16,010 psi. Fired 50 rounds. Still got fair amount of leading. Probably 70% within first 1", then the remaining 30% strung out the next 1.6". It is a 3" revolver.

Guess I wonder how much leading is to be expected, and other than perhaps reduced accuracy, after how many rounds should it be cleaned out? I think after these boxes are gone, it's back to jacketed in the revolvers.

 

[zxcvbob]

Try 8.0 grains of Herco. (in .357 brass) I know you don't have Herco, but it's worth buying a pound to try it; it's a really good load.

Have you tried coating the bullets with Lee Liquid Alox lube? (probably diluted considerably with paint thinner) Might help with the leading. I know they are lubed already, but the driving bands aren't.

 

[kelbro]

Sounds like your chambers are a little on the small side. How much pressure does it take to push a bullet through? Check each chamber.

 

[ssyoumans]

I'll try to make a trip over to bass pro to pick up some lead to check bores and chambers.

I might try some of the lee alox some too, but don't currently have any as I don't cast bullets.

I'd like to at least get the 38 special equivalent load to work. Never noticed any significant leading in my Colt Cobra or Taurus 85, with the 38 Match bullet, but they are only 2" barrels.

 

[PO2Hammer]

Obviously size, hardness and pressure are the first considerations, but if you have a bullet/load combo that you like and are still getting leading, Liquid Alox can work wonders.
I put a few drops on a small pane of glass and roll the bullets through so the nose and base stay dry. You can get a very thin coat of it that way, and your dies don't get gunked up.
I don't like thinning it, they seem to end up tackier that way.

 

[_N4Z_]

I have been shooting MBC bullets and have had good results from the following loads.

Bullet = MBC 158gr RNFP (Ranger)
Cases = Mixed Win, R&P, Prvi
Prime = CCI500
Powders and gr. -

Bullseye - 4.7gr.
Unique - 6.4gr.
AA#9 - 12 to 12.2gr.
2400 - 13.5gr.

These have all done well for me with the Missouri bullets. Minimal leading and very accurate. I use these in my GP100 (6"), SP101 (2.25"), Cimarron Model P, and Marlin 1894c.