I tested the rest yesterday. It was a mixed bag. The 2400 loads with 125 grain cast produced some tolerable groups that deserve further exploration. The best was about 1.75” at 25 yards. Looks like I’ll be saving my meager supply for 158 grain bullets. I only have about half a pound left.
HS-6 appears to just not be for these bullets. They shoot and shoot fast but don’t group any better than my 9mm service pistols. Nothing wrong with that but I’ve come to expect better from the Blackhawk.
HS-6 does work well pushing 125 grain XTP bullets. The initial test load grouped about 1.25” and these did a little bigger at 1.7”. I plan to keep that load in the books but I don’t have any more 125 gr XTPs.
At this point I’ve settled on CFE Pistol for accuracy and velocity in 357 cases with these 125 grain cast bullets. The CFEP max load deserves some exploration too. I likely pulled that shot high above.
If I want just a little more accuracy and a little less velocity the W231 load and 125 grain bullets works well, but only the minimum charge. Things fell apart at higher charges.
2400 and 158 grain XTPs have beaten everything else, even the wadcutters, for accuracy. Velocity/energy speaks for itself with a near max charge of 14.1 grains.
A run of 38 Special and Silhouette powder is in order. This combo pushed the 125 gr cast through one hole at 10 yards but hasn’t been tried at 25.
The wadcutters in a 357 case is still a favorite load but the local supply is gone and I have just enough for a single round of slow fire at 25 yards just to see how it goes.
For my intended purpose of long range handgunning, beyond 50 yards, the CFEP load seems the best compromise. Thanks to those who suggested trying a copper fouling eraser powder with lead bullets.
I’m on the hunt for some Blue Dot but will need to see if it works in 357. I’ve not thought about Red Dot but it seems intriguing.