158gr plated load for .357

[mnshooter]

Hi All
I just tried some of the West Coast/Accura/Extreme plated bullets in my GP-100. 10gr Blue Dot with the 158gr Flat Point. Seems quite accurate but my velocities were up around 1250 fps. I'd like to tame it down a bit, maybe around 1000 fps. I'd drop the BD charge a bit, but wonder how it will due with less pressure.
Does anyone load this bullet in reduced 357 loads, maybe with Unique, and if so, what have you had the best luck with?

Many thanks
Jeff

 

[Kamicosmos]

What charge of Blue Dot were you using? I've played with some 158gr .357 loads and Blue Dot. I'm at work, so I don't have my notes. I know if you go to light, you'll get lots of unburned powder, but I can't remember off-hand what my good Blue Dot load is. I will say though, that I wasn't too impressed with Blue Dot in .357. Nice for mild .44 loads, but not great in .357, at least for me. I will try to remember to look up my loads when I get home and post them.

 

[MNgoldenbear]

Had LOTS of velocity variation with Blue Dot and 158 LSWC loads (9.5 gr Blue Dot @ 1213 avg). Went to an IPSC tourney and had two of three rounds chrono minor (<1108 fps at the time) and one make major easily. The charges were thrown, but fairly uniform. I'd heard since then that this kind of variation was not uncommon with Blue Dot. That said, I've heard a number of people who really like Blue Dot in .357. Go figure. Medium to full loads I've been using AA9, and light target loads have been Bullseye.

 

[mnshooter]

I was using 10gr of BD.

With the plated bullets it's a bit harder to find load data.
Speer #13 lists 10.2gr BD a max load with 158gr jacketed and Sierra 12.6 Max
So who knows. I like this load, just thought I would beat up the gun a little less slowing it down a bit. Then again maybe the Ruger is harder to beat up than I'm worried about.

I agree that BD gets a bit inconsistant at lower charges and pressures. I'm thinking of starting with 4.5gr of unique and moving up from there.

 

[Unisaw]

I load 158 gr. FP Rainier LeadSafe over 5.2 gr. of Unique

 

[mnshooter]

Unisaw,

Do you know the velocity of your load?

 

[PO2Hammer]

Titegroup is proving to be an exelent powder for me and my collection of .357's.
I'm using Hodgdon data and 158 XTP's right around 1,000 fps. Accuracy is outstanding with no noticable unburned powder in my revolver. It meters very accuratly.

 

[Unisaw]

mnshooter:

I haven't sprung for a chronograph, so I don't know the velocity. In terms of recoil, I would describe it as stronger than than a .38 special +P but pretty mild. These perceptions are based on shooting the load out of an SP-101.

 

[birddog]

7.0 grains Unique pushing a Mag-Tech 158gr SJSP is a nice, tame load that I shoot quite a bit of, even in my Taurus snubby.

 

[mnshooter]

Thanks for all the replies and suggestions
Time to go out to the shop and put up a few loads.

Thanks again

Jeff