185 FNGC @ 1100 fps from S&W 4" .357 Mag.

[RMc]

185 FNGC @ 1100 fps from S&W 4" .357 Mag.


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When loading for my 4" S&W 686, I want a smooth balance of controlability and deep penetration. For my purposes a hard cast, heat treated 185 FNGC with a .28" meplate at 1100 fps fits the bill. The load I developed with the Beartooth Bullet 185 FNGC works extremely well in delivering fast and accurate double action fire. Frankly, I find it easier to track and hit a moving target with the smooth roll of a well tuned double action trigger. http://www.beartoothbullets.com/


Distance to chronograph screens 10 ft.
Temp: 78F Six rounds.
Firearm: S&W 686 4 inch barrel .357 Magnum

Beartooth Bullets 185 grain FNGC, 13.0 grains of H4227,
New Starline .357 Magnum brass,
Winchester Small Pistol Magnum primers:

1103 FPS average, 27 fps extreme spread, Low 1091 FPS , High 1118 FPS.

Bullet / cartridge measurements: .358" diameter, .728" long, and 1.566" oal seated in 1.278" Starline cases.


This is a comparatively soft recoiling, low muzzle blast load that leaves surprisingly little powder residue. Also, 13 grains of H4227 measures exactly 1.0 cc by volume - handy for adjusting the powder measure - checked with a scale of course.

Hogdon's online data manual shows a Maximum load of 13.7 gr. of H4227 with a 180 Nosler Partition and WSPM primer. This load was derived from the Hogdon data. As always, check the data source yourself and use at your own risk.

The 185gr. BTB FNGC .357 bullet has the same meplate size as the original Keith 250 grain .44 special/magnum bullet. So if both bullets completely penetrate most game at 1100 fps, then both should have equal terminal effect!

 

[918v]

How accurate is it?

 

[moxie]

Interesting. That is a pretty light load so it should be light recoil. Nice bullets, if rather pricey. I'm wondering about the gas checks. What is their purpose on a bullet with a high BHN of 22, and a low velocity of 1100 fps? Would a bare bullet base even obturate given those parameters?

 

[RMc]

Well this handload is equivalent to Federal's .357 Magnum CastCore factory ammunition.

The concept of a heavy for caliber .357 Magnum WFN load at a reasonable velocity for a 4" DA revolver is sound. Yes, by loading ultra-slow ball powder, the velocity can be increased by 100 fps in a 4" revolver - at the cost of a fireball flash, and greatly increased noise. I was pleased to find this balanced, easy to shoot, very accurate and high penetration load.

 

[moxie]

Well, yes, it does appear to be similar to the Federal load in terms of exterior ballistics. But my question had to do with the purpose of a gas check on a bullet with that hardness (BHN=22) (don't know the BHN of the Federal bullet) driven at 1100 fps. Just wondering as to the purpose. The Federal bullet might be down in the 16-18 BHN range and need the gas check at 1100, probably to prevent leading. Your bullet might not. Just wondering.

 

[GooseGestapo]

A bullet too hard, won't obturate. The gascheck will prevent blow-by errosion of the base of the bullet, which is what often hinders accuracy with an excessively hard bullet.
The gas check is there and the hardness such that the bullet is also functional in a rifle cartridge such as the .35rem, .358win, or .35Whelen.

Not neccessary in the .357mag, but useful.

Besides, such a hard bullet will give considerable penetration, which is probably the primary criteria of such a hard bullet in the .357mag for a handgun. Any significant expansion will preclude the desired penetration. The mild recoil and rapid recovery aids in repetitive shots, as needed.

Sounds like a really good load.
The 13.0gr of H4227 with a 180gr load is a near legendary load for accuracy. Try that powder charge under a Hornady 180gr XTP or 180gr Remington HP. It has always given me splendid accuracy.