357 Cast Bullet Load

[GooseGestapo]

If you’re getting good accuracy from a handgun but bad from a rifle, the bullets are under size.
I use .360” bullets unless they won’t chamber. Then, I’ll size .358”
Marlin barrels tend to run large, particularly the micro groove barrels.

My S&W match 9mm’s shoot best with .358”, but in some brass they’re too fat to chamber, so I use .357”. I had a Taurus PT99 that would embarrass my match guns with a .358” boolit. However, NRA PPC rules for Duty Service semi auto don’t allow the Taurus. So, I sold it and got another Gen III 5906 and replaced Novak rear sight with permissible LPA. Promptly won a regional match with it...

 

[Obturation]

If you’re getting good accuracy from a handgun but bad from a rifle, the bullets are under size.

Not always, my 77/357 shoots poorly with 158 gr swc & very well with 180 gr wfn - both have been sized in the same die to .358". I'm not an expert, not even close but my experience has been that some bullets just won't play nice in certain barrels on an individual basis . if it's not differences in alloy or size the obvious remaining factors are weight & profile, that rifle does very well with 158 rnfp and it's most accurate groups have been with 158 jacketed bullets (xtp). I haven't had that rifle even a year yet and I'm still figuring it out but profile seems to matter to that gun in a significant way. Ymmv

 

[AJC1]

Any of the factors can cause a problem. Barrel fit seems to be the most common thing that is wrong, closely followed by shape. Hardness is in the mix as well with the tendency of being to hard because it keeps them looking pretty during shipping.

 

[GooseGestapo]

I had a 77/357. It wouldn’t shoot ANY cast bullet well. It was under 2moa however with a 158gr JSP or JHP (several).
Problem is the lead in the throat. Too sharp (steep) for cast. Tends to shave the bullets. Well documented over in the castbollit forum as well at Rugerowners forum.
I bought mine used for $650 W 5mags. Sold it for $1050 less $75 commission. Just got too valuable to keep...

 

[GeoDudeFlorida]

Hello. I am brand new to reloading. Working with a 158 grain FP hard cast bullet and Titegroup powder (I know not the best for a lead bullet but it's all I have). The load data for Titegroup lists a starting load of 4.5 and a max load of 5.0. I was loading at 4.9. The minimum OAL for this load is listed at 1.610. In order to do this the bullet ends up seated before the crimp groove. If I seat to the crimp groove, which I did with the first ten rounds I loaded, the OAL comes out to 1.57. How should I proceed? Should I load at 1.610 and just crimp into the side of the bullet (using a Lee roll crimp)? Or load to 1.57 and use a lower powder charge? I'm concerned about creating excess pressure by seating the bullet further down. However I will be firing these out of a lever rifle so I want to ensure they have a good crimp for loading into the magazine tube. Any help is much appreciated!

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The MAXIMUM overall length is just that - the maximum not be exceeded. The crimping groove is there to let you know to, "crimp here." As long as the crimp is inside the Max.. OAL, you're good.

 

[joneb]

I have tried Tightgroup for 158gr lead in 38spl with poor results, Bullseye, W-231 and Accurate #2 have given excellent results in my revolves. I have not tried WST but I have heard good things.

 

[GeoDudeFlorida]

I have tried Tightgroup for 158gr lead in 38spl with poor results, Bullseye, W-231 and Accurate #2 have given excellent results in my revolves. I have not tried WST but I have heard good things.

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I have found TiteGroup does really well with medium jacketed loads. 3.5gr TG with a Montana Gold 142gr conical FMJ is accurate and light recoiling from a snubby.

 

[Obturation]

I had a 77/357. It wouldn’t shoot ANY cast bullet well. It was under 2moa however with a 158gr JSP or JHP (several).
Problem is the lead in the throat. Too sharp (steep) for cast. Tends to shave the bullets. Well documented over in the castbollit forum as well at Rugerowners forum.
I bought mine used for $650 W 5mags. Sold it for $1050 less $75 commission. Just got too valuable to keep...

We talked about that over the summer when I was figuring some of this stuff out. @AJC1 was nice enough to send me some of his cast & coated swc to try too (they did better than what I had been shooting but weren't the answer). The mbc 180 grain wfn coated bullets shoot very well but there is some resistance when chambering, not a ton but not none, no setback. Depending on what I'm doing, I typically now have separate revolver loads from what I'm using in a carbine , which negates the point of having the two in matching chamberings to some extent . I just have a fair supply of swc bullets I've accumulated because I never imagined they wouldn't do well in some specific firearm. When I run out of 158 swc, I won't replace them- I'll move up to 180 grain bullets and see if I can find a profile that shoots well and doesn't have the resistance when chambering - smaller meplat, steeper ogive? Like a LFN instead of WFN . not a common bullet though, still kind of looking around .

I wasn't a big believer in profile affecting much beyond feeding before loading for this rifle. It's a keeper for me and worth the effort though.

 

[Lnf Crzr]

Just acquired a 358429 old Lyman 170gr. With powder coating… no Gascheck on mold, I’m hopeful my Marlin (Jm) 357 will shoot that accurately enough to get better than “Paper plate” at 100 yards. If not I have plenty of 180-xtps or The Fp 158s. Yet casting and dropping a deer quickly with a molded- 2/3 powder coated “Soft point” rolled my own 357 skipping along at 1750fps are the thoughts that keep me awake at nitez.
If close enough around bow distance … I’d think about using my Mountain gun w/4” brl . Have plenty of confidence in ability to be accurate under normal circumstances.
It’s great when people say “357,maybe enough for a 200lbs deer”. Yet Dan Wesson successfully dropped-Elk,Bear and misc other large game with 1 or 2 well placed shots. I think to many modern keyboard hunters, regurgitate what they previously read recently.
The 357 did it then and can do it now. That’s a Fact. Now a hunter, well that’s what the subject needs to be about- Stealth,Accuracy and hunting ability.

My .03 sense

 

[Lnf Crzr]

Oh and I feel Keith maybe was a pioneer in his own mind, yet a Crazy person in reality. Cranking up charges to blow up guns is not being a responsible reloading individual. I don’t believe the 44 long range shot of hundreds of yards…. Yes I know you tube has it. Ok he was a contributor to the magnum era. -and all are grateful,Yet isn’t a Saint by any stretch of the imagination or top strap.
About the reloading- the classic 2400 or Unique are like Apple pie and ice cream, they just work. I’ve toyed with h110/296 and little gun, Yet my favorite is Skeeter Skeltons 2400 or Unique. It’s tried and true. Why mess with a good thing, for what 4 or 5% more trajectories or FPS.
No need to push the envelope, just get a bigger gun if need. The 357 is a sweetheart…. Near and dear to my favorite 44spl. The mighty mini magnum has done it… and can do it.