The round you propose is 38 heavy or 38-44. I typically aim for 20kpsi. I haven't played with 2400, but I have others. Your either going to use very old manuals or model using quickloads or grt....
Ok. I was looking for something a little less than 357mag power but a little more than 38spl. That being the S&W m13 is a K frame I would like to keep the preasure down. The Berry's bullets are rated for 1500fps so I was thinking somewhere in the 1000-1150fps range.
Yeah, probably about 90% of the loads I've ran in my 357s in the last 45 years or so (since I've been loading for 357s) have been "357 light" loads. I prefer Unique over 2400 for such loads though. I usually save my 2400 for honest to goodness full-power 357, 41 and 44 Mag loads.
Yes I am using 357mag cases with v-N340 powder. Manufacturer list6.0 grn @ 948 to 6.8 grns @ 1089 for 38spl. 7.1 grns @ 1188 to 7.7 @1240 for 357mag using Berry's copper plated bullets rated to 1500 fps. I believe that those numbers are from a 10" barrel.Welcome to THR, Az Bob!
Yeah, probably about 90% of the loads I've ran in my 357s in the last 45 years or so (since I've been loading for 357s) have been "357 light" loads. I prefer Unique over 2400 for such loads though. I usually save my 2400 for honest to goodness full-power 357, 41 and 44 Mag loads.
Question though - you are using 357 cases for your 357 "light" loads aren't you?
I have not seen that at my local Sportsmans warehouse. Going to try CAL Ranch. I have been using v-N340. After seeing the cost of 2400 locally I will keep searchingI haven't played with 2400 that light in .357 Mag cases, and not at all in .38 Spl. I wasn't excited about 2400 in .357 Mag until right at max.
My "in between" load, or "intermediate" .357 Mag load uses BE-86, which I highly recommend for that if you have some or can get some.
158s of course.
After seeing the cost of 2400 at my LGS I probably will stay with N340 for now. Was hoping to find a cost freindly light to midrange substitute.
Unique powder is unavailable in my area. I don't know what else to look for. Guess I will be doing alot of Google-foo for now.
Can you find Accurate No.7 locally? It’s a good intermediate powder for .357Mag loads. Similar to Unique but not quite as flexible. In fact, I’d say No.7 is a niche powder; mid range, mid bore, mid weight, mid velocity. It’s the middle weight champ.
I see 5 and 9 available no #7 strange...
Yes local store has it
My LGS has all 3 of powders you mentioned
Winchester 244 powder. Starting @ $ 26 a pound. In 357/158gr/5.5 grs See Hodgdon Data. 1061 fps.
Cartridge : .357 Magnum (SAAMI)
Bullet : .358, 158, Hornady SWC 10408
Seating depth : 0.390"
Cartridge O.A.L. L6: 1.590 inch = 40.39 mm
Barrel Length : 5.7 inch = 144.8 mm
C A U T I O N : any load listed can result in a powder charge that falls below minimum suggested
loads or exceeds maximum suggested loads as presented in current handloading manuals. Understand
that all of the listed powders can be unsuitable for the given combination of cartridge, bullet
and gun. Actual load order can vary, depending upon lot-to-lot powder and component variations.
USE ONLY FOR COMPARISON !
Powder type Filling/Loading Ratio Charge Charge Vel. Prop.Burnt P max P muzz B_Time
% Grains Gramm fps % psi psi ms
--------------------------------- -----------------------------------------------------------------
Hodgdon Universal 64.5 6.0 0.39 1100 100.0 26668 4098 0.645
Vihtavuori N330 65.2 6.2 0.40 1100 100.0 26621 4024 0.642
Accurate No.2 63.6 6.1 0.40 1100 100.0 25385 4300 0.642
Shooters World Ultimate Pistol 42.0 6.0 0.39 1100 100.0 24581 4347 0.659
Alliant BULLSEYE 57.6 5.5 0.36 1100 100.0 24167 4412 0.654
Ramshot Silhouette 54.4 6.9 0.44 1100 100.0 23591 4565 0.664
Winchester WAP 54.6 6.9 0.45 1100 100.0 23535 4585 0.664
Alliant UNIQUE 65.8 6.1 0.40 1100 100.0 23461 4544 0.675
Alliant HERCO 73.2 6.6 0.43 1100 100.0 22498 4836 0.688
Accurate No.5 48.4 7.2 0.47 1100 95.8 21804 5175 0.683
Shooters World Auto Pistol 48.4 7.2 0.47 1100 95.8 21799 5176 0.683
Alliant POWER PISTOL 62.0 7.1 0.46 1100 92.2 20473 5537 0.702
Alliant 2400 77.5 10.7 0.69 1100 72.1 19631 5981 0.720Cartridge : .357 Magnum (SAAMI)
Bullet : .358, 158, Hornady SWC 10408
Seating depth : 0.390"
Cartridge O.A.L. L6: 1.590 inch = 40.39 mm
Barrel Length : 5.7 inch = 144.8 mm
C A U T I O N : any load listed can result in a powder charge that falls below minimum suggested
loads or exceeds maximum suggested loads as presented in current handloading manuals. Understand
that all of the listed powders can be unsuitable for the given combination of cartridge, bullet
and gun. Actual load order can vary, depending upon lot-to-lot powder and component variations.
USE ONLY FOR COMPARISON !
Powder type Filling/Loading Ratio Charge Charge Vel. Prop.Burnt P max P muzz B_Time
% Grains Gramm fps % psi psi ms
--------------------------------- -----------------------------------------------------------------
Winchester WAP 56.2 7.1 0.46 1124 100.0 25000 4692 0.645
Ramshot Silhouette 56.0 7.1 0.46 1123 100.0 25000 4668 0.646
Alliant HERCO 77.0 7.0 0.45 1143 100.0 25000 5033 0.653
Alliant UNIQUE 68.0 6.3 0.41 1125 100.0 25000 4661 0.654
Accurate No.2 63.1 6.1 0.39 1095 100.0 25000 4277 0.646
Shooters World Ultimate Pistol 42.3 6.0 0.39 1106 100.0 25000 4378 0.653
Vihtavuori N330 63.2 6.0 0.39 1079 100.0 25000 3924 0.660
Vihtavuori N32C Tin Star 83.3 6.0 0.39 970 100.0 25000 2875 0.697
Hodgdon Universal 62.3 5.8 0.38 1077 100.0 25000 3984 0.666
Ramshot Zip 47.7 5.8 0.38 1054 100.0 25000 3679 0.660
Winchester 231 53.1 5.8 0.38 1054 100.0 25000 3679 0.660
Hodgdon HP38 47.0 5.7 0.37 1047 100.0 25000 3603 0.661
Alliant BULLSEYE 58.7 5.6 0.37 1113 100.0 25000 4479 0.644
Shooters World Clean Shot 43.8 5.3 0.34 1052 100.0 25000 3651 0.655
Alliant GREEN DOT 63.8 5.2 0.33 1030 100.0 25000 3459 0.671
Vihtavuori N320 61.0 5.2 0.34 1027 100.0 25000 3384 0.673
Hodgdon TiteGroup 43.2 5.1 0.33 1004 100.0 25000 3182 0.672
Accurate Nitro 100 62.3 4.7 0.31 1026 100.0 25000 3424 0.665No.5 is a good all-purpose target powder; just don’t try to get magnum velocities with heavier bullets out of it. No.9 is a good magnum powder. It’s not my money but… I would get at least one pound of each.
hodgdonreloading.com
I am new to reloading and don't really understand what the chart is telling me. I am currently using v-N340 and loading according to the manufacturer load data off their website. From what I gather it is for upper midrange loads. It also has loads listed for both 38spl and 357mag. My Lyman 49th had loads for both 38&357mag with 2400. But it is more costly per pound and uses almost double the grains per load.
