.357 action load

[Dewey 68]

I bought some of the Missouri Bullet's .357 action SWC bullets, and I'm looking for a good recipe with Alliant 2400.

I picked up a Ruger GP100, and was hoping that I could shoot the .357 action bullets in a pretty hot load. Since the Brinell number is 18, from the load data I have it looks like I should stick to around 1200 fps or so.

Does anyone have any experience with this bullet and 2400, and can recommend a good load? I also picked up some Hornady XTP 125 grain hollow points, so I guess I can load those up for my really "hot" loads.

I also bought some 148 grain WC's that I'll use for my plinking load with Bullseye.

 

[ljnowell]

14.5 gr 2400 is what i run in my 686 with that bullet.

 

[Steve C]

13.0grs of 2400 with a standard pistol primer should give you over 1,200 fps from a 4" barrel with a 158gr lead bullet. 14.0grs and heavier is more for jacketed and gas checked bullets.

AA#9 also works well with cast 158gr LSWC's. 12.3 grs lit by a CCI 550 primer pushed a 158gr LSCW out the muzzle of my S&W 66 4" at 1,268 fps average.

 

[GP100man]

It depends on the numbers ya got to work with , throat size , bore size , smooth or ruff bore ???

Alot of varibles , nuttin like tryin out a new revolver , especially when it`s a GP100 !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[bullseye308]

If, of course, the bullet is a good fit, then this will work.

In my Ruger GP-100 I have shot my home cast 158 SWC with 14.5gr of 2400 with very good results. I personally don't need the abuse and now stick to 5.0gr Bullseye with the same bullet. For the 148 grain WC's & Bullseye, the standard load has been 2.7gr for longer than I have been around. It is a nice mild target round. I shoot lots of them.

 

[Dewey 68]

Thanks for the info, guys. I picked up some magnum primers when I was out last, but I'm wondering if I really need them. Some loads with 2400 call for them, and some don't. You guys that listed your loads without a primer, are you using standard or magnum primers with them?

This will be my first revolver. I'm pretty excited. I originally wanted a 686, but when I picked up the GP-100, it's tank-like nature appealed to me for a first revolver. I still like the 686, but I got a good deal on an older 4" stainless model with the grips with the wooden inlays. Whoever owned this gun either cleaned it up well, or didn't shoot it much.

 

[frankge]

14.3 2400 with berrys plated 158g PMC primer for my Taurus M66 crica 1988

 

[ArchAngelCD]

There is no need to use a magnum primer with 2400 and sometimes your SD numbers will be erratic when using them. The reason some data calls for a magnum primer and some doesn't is laziness. These days to make things simple all "magnum" ammo gets a magnum primer when they load for testing. I disagree with that method and feel they should use the best primer for the job.

 

[ljnowell]

14.0grs and heavier is more for jacketed and gas checked bullets.

I'll have to disagree with you steve. That bullet will easily take over 14gr of 2400 without leading. There are several here that load them at 14.5. In fact, in a previous thread it seemed like the majority of the respondents were using the nearly exact same powder charge.

 

[Jeff H]

There are several here that load them at 14.5

15gr here. 15.3 is max in the manuals I have for a 158gr SWC, but 15gr is plenty for me.

 

[ljnowell]

15gr here. 15.3 is max in the manuals I have for a 158gr SWC, but 15gr is plenty for me.

I pushed it to 15, however, I found my best accuracy at 14.5gr out of a 4" 686.

 

[Dewey 68]

I pushed it to 15, however, I found my best accuracy at 14.5gr out of a 4" 686.

Is that with a standard or magnum primer?

I'm kicking around taking this box of magnum primers back. They were $40/1000, but it looks like primers may be coming down in price.

Thanks.

 

[ljnowell]

Dewey, I currently load 2400 in 357 mag and high pressure 45 colt loads, and I have never used a mag primer with it. It just doesnt need it.

 

[Slamfire]

This is the load I run in all of my 357's with 158's, Lead or Jacketed.



Smith & Wesson M27-2 6.5 inch barrel


158 LSWC 13.5grs 2400 R-P cases Fed 100
4-Sep-05 T = 80 °F

Ave Vel = 1245
Std Dev = 22.49
ES = 97.26
High = 1285
Low = 1187
N = 32

 

[Jeff H]

Is that with a standard or magnum primer?

I'm kicking around taking this box of magnum primers back.

Most reloading manuals I see call for just regular primers and that is what I use.

I don't think that any stores around here would accept a return on primers, I'd call first.

 

[Dewey 68]

Good call. Called and they won't. Guess it won't hurt to use them, they were the same price as standard.

 

[ljnowell]

Good call. Called and they won't. Guess it won't hurt to use them, they were the same price as standard.

The load of 14.5 is definately still safe with a mag primer, but of course, I would work up to that, even though it is below max. Where abouts in IL are you Dewey?

 

[Dewey 68]

I'm originally from Sullivan, IL, but for the last 20 years I've been in Plainfield, which is in the far SW Chicago suburbs. I still go down to central IL to bowhunt every season though.

 

[ljnowell]

Yeah, I spend all my time here in central IL, in Litchfield.

 

[Quoheleth]

Your GP100 and that bullet can take more than you can - or, at least, it'll give your wrist a run for it's money.

Load and shoot per published data. Great bullet + great gun = great combination.

BWT - if you want a nice plinking load, that bullet under 5.0gr Titegroup is really nice. Think of it as a heavy .38+P or light magnum. Velocity, per manual, is ~ 1000fps.

Q

 

[ArchAngelCD]

Good call. Called and they won't. Guess it won't hurt to use them, they were the same price as standard.

You can always save the Magnum primers for ammo you load with W296/H110, Lil'Gun or other hard to ignite slow burning Ball powders.