357 load development and casual observations

[DMW1116]

I’ve switched almost exclusively to cast bullets for my target loads. Any idea how CFEP works with those?

I have one load with CFEP for 357 but it’s a minimum charge under a 148 grain wadcutter. It’s quite accurate but hardly a magnum load. And I only have 4 cylinders of those projectiles left and Cabelas is out.

I have a pile of 125 grain RNFP though. If I can figure out the fliers from today, I have an accurate 38 Special and 357 Magnum load for the 125 grain bullets. Pictures below. Take note of group 5. 3 shots within an inch of each other (1.1” center to center) and way right is the 4th. I hope I’m not getting a flinch.

 

[AJC1]

Aren’t your shooting from a rifle/carbine? Wonder how a revolver would work. I may just try that.

looking at the Lyman manual I have resolved to try up to 15.8 grains. Max is 16.4. No point in a a magnum if you can’t do magnum stuff.

This test was run with my 4" trooper. I do most testing in the pistol. My son loves the lever gun so that gets a lot of attention as well but none of these posted reports are carbine. Every test I run is cast

 

[GeoDudeFlorida]

This test was run with my 4" trooper. I do most testing in the pistol. My son loves the lever gun so that gets a lot of attention as well but none of these posted reports are carbine. Every test I run is cast

I saw a 4” Trooper Mk. III in the gun store when I went to pick up a check for my latest consignments. Turned out I was premature and nothing had sold. Bummer. The Trooper is in nice shape, original box, only a little holster wear for $1150. That’s only $500 more than I sold mine for 8 years ago, no box in good condition with obvious holster wear. Not a bad price but not one I will pay.

 

[AJC1]

I saw a 4” Trooper Mk. III in the gun store when I went to pick up a check for my latest consignments. Turned out I was premature and nothing had sold. Bummer. The Trooper is in nice shape, original box, only a little holster wear for $1150. That’s only $500 more than I sold mine for 8 years ago, no box in good condition with obvious holster wear. Not a bad price but not one I will pay.

I got mine from my grandfather. It's stainless. The prices I've seen on the broker are eye opening. If I was buying the heavy barrel 4" combat magnum looks gooder.

 

[GeoDudeFlorida]

I got mine from my grandfather. It's stainless. The prices I've seen on the broker are eye opening. If I was buying the heavy barrel 4" combat magnum looks gooder.

Stainless or Colt electroless satin nickel? If it’s satin nickel and electroless - no copper underlayment - it’s something of a rare bird. Nice family heirloom to have regardless. I didn’t know any stainless Troopers left the factory but I could be wrong. If it’s one of the prototype SS Mk.III’s, it’s almost priceless.

 

[AJC1]

Stainless or Colt electroless satin nickel? If it’s satin nickel and electroless - no copper underlayment - it’s something of a rare bird. Nice family heirloom to have regardless. I didn’t know any stainless Troopers left the factory but I could be wrong. If it’s one of the prototype SS Mk.III’s, it’s almost priceless.

Probably just junky nickle. Not cool like my mini 14

 

[BRatigan]

Here is another good load using the 125 XTP and CFEP at 6.9 grains. This group is from my Model 73 Sporter. I use the same load in my Uberti. The fps note here is for the Uberti. The M73 would be more.

 

[BRatigan]

This load is for epoxy 125 grain conical bullets. It uses 5.5 of Win 231. This also is from the Model 73 Sporter. I use this load in the Uberti as well. Ive developed 5 loads that shoot well for both firearms. Sorry for not providing a clearer message.

 

[DMW1116]

I don’t know how to feel about that group with CFEP. It’s a good group but you missed that quarter every time.

Looking at Hodgdens site there is a pretty narrow load range with the CFEP. I can cover that with one test batch and have enough brass to confirm my 15 grain 2400 load. I may have to find some brass soon. My magnum load test brass is starting its 4th firing if I test CFEP.

 

[AJC1]

I don’t know how to feel about that group with CFEP. It’s a good group but you missed that quarter every time.

Looking at Hodgdens site there is a pretty narrow load range with the CFEP. I can cover that with one test batch and have enough brass to confirm my 15 grain 2400 load. I may have to find some brass soon. My magnum load test brass is starting its 4th firing if I test CFEP.

The 6.6 test load did not feel close to 8.8 grains of true blue for recoil. It's low magnum at best.

 

[DMW1116]

Also, the XTP bullets in 357 I’ve tried are very accurate. They’re just to expensive for casual shooting. These Gallant bullets have been very good for the price, especially since they were on sale.

 

[DMW1116]

The 6.6 test load did not feel close to 8.8 grains of true blue for recoil. It's low magnum at best.

Interesting. I’d feel ok running these right up to the max given the relatively low pressures Hodgden has for the 125 grain Meister Cast Bullet in their data. BRatigans velocity is around where I’d like to be, assuming that was from his Uberti. I doubt I’d get that high with a cast bullet vs the XTP he used.

 

[GeoDudeFlorida]

I don’t know how to feel about that group with CFEP. It’s a good group but you missed that quarter every time.

Looking at Hodgdens site there is a pretty narrow load range with the CFEP. I can cover that with one test batch and have enough brass to confirm my 15 grain 2400 load. I may have to find some brass soon. My magnum load test brass is starting its 4th firing if I test CFEP.

4th? That’s not even broken in yet.

 

[DMW1116]

My target/wadcutter brass is coming up on 6. I sort of expect that to last indefinitely though. That’s only 700 fps load of W231.

 

[murf]

slower burning powders generally need more crimp and neck tension to burn correctly. neck tension is much more difficult to change, but usually is what is needed to get the powder to burn right.

luck,

murf

 

[BRatigan]

Interesting. I’d feel ok running these right up to the max given the relatively low pressures Hodgden has for the 125 grain Meister Cast Bullet in their data. BRatigans velocity is around where I’d like to be, assuming that was from his Uberti. I doubt I’d get that high with a cast bullet vs the XTP he used.

Yep that was the fps for the Uberti. Please keep in mind I don't have a chronograph yet so this is what Gordons was calculating for me. That group is from the Win 73, I just made a note for the Uberti fps on the target. I really like the combo for the 73. I still haven't had access to some of the traditional mag powders so maybe I can squeeze some tightness but I'm really ok with that load.

 

[DMW1116]

Ok. Now I feel way better about my revolver shooting. I was about to put my Blackhawk on the market and just bring my targets back to 10 yards.

 

[DMW1116]

I had some cases left so I tried to confirm the 15 grain load. It wasn’t as good as I’d hoped so I guess I’ll keep moving up. I’ll call it at 16 grains unless there are no pressure signs at all. 16.4 is max in my Lyman manual.

I plan to run up the whole CFEP range as well. Hodgden says 1500 fps at max charge with moderate pressure. I’ll loose about 150 fps since they use a 10” barrel vs my 6.5”. That will leave 6 cases for initial testing of W231. I have 51 heavy load cases for testing. Should help my jammed finger if nothing else.

 

[AJC1]

I had some cases left so I tried to confirm the 15 grain load. It wasn’t as good as I’d hoped so I guess I’ll keep moving up. I’ll call it at 16 grains unless there are no pressure signs at all. 16.4 is max in my Lyman manual.
.

Which powder? That seems heavy for 2400 and #9 and more enforcer or 4227 territory unless we're talking less than a 158.

 

[DMW1116]

Double post.

 

[AJC1]

I had some cases left so I tried to confirm the 15 grain load. It wasn’t as good as I’d hoped so I guess I’ll keep moving up. I’ll call it at 16 grains unless there are no pressure signs at all. 16.4 is max in my Lyman manual.

I plan to run up the whole CFEP range as well. Hodgden says 150 fps at max charge with moderate pressure. I’ll loose about 150 fps since they use a 10” barrel vs my 6.5”. That will leave 6 cases for initial testing of W231.

No powder no bullet I'm confused

 

[DMW1116]

Oh yes I’m still testing a 125 grain Gallant bullet with #2400. If I can’t find a good load with it I’ll just use them in 38 Special and find some 158 grain SWC for 357 Magnum. I lucked into a 38 load that will shoot one hole at 10 yards.

 

[AJC1]

Oh yes I’m still testing a 125 grain Gallant bullet with #2400. If I can’t find a good load with it I’ll just use them in 38 Special and find some 158 grain SWC for 357 Magnum. I lucked into a 38 load that will shoot one hole at 10 yards.

Well that's down many notches of holly crap from a 158. I don't have my records on me in bed but I don't recall going over 14 with a 158 so I was like wow. 9 grains of 2400 in a 38 case with a 180 is 20k ish so with a 125 10 sounds +p ish.

 

[DMW1116]

I made it to 14.1 grains of 2400 pushing a 158 grain XTP. It was the most accurate load I’ve tried but I have not confirmed it and it was not fun to shoot. 13-13.3 was very close in accuracy but much more pleasant to shoot. That load range basically was confirmed, as 12.9 to 13.3 grains all shot about 1.1” - 1.2” at 25 yards.

 

[BRatigan]

Here are two more targets, 50 yrds, iron sights from the rest using my M73 24 inch Sporter in 357 Mag. The Heavy Pistol load is very nice. I own the flyers. The CFE Pistol load is also a nice shooting round and accurate for whatever I need. Its amazing that with each powder and bullet combination I have different points of impact. All targets are point of aim at
center of the target as best as I can see them. The small red ball target is a challenge. The big red ball target is what I normally use (not above but previous targets in above posts) and can actually see at 50 yards with the front post in the red.