.357 loads for carbine

[The_Antibubba]

I have a Rossi 92SRS, chambered for .38/.357. On a different forum I asked about loads specifically for the longer barrel. Speer Gold Dot in 180 gr. was recommended, but I haven't been able to find the 180 gr, just a 170 gr. Does anyone know about this round, or recommend another equally suitable?

The Antibubba

 

[Brian Williams]

I have a 1894C Marlin and for Plinking I use 158 gr LSWC that I load with some 231 and have a blast. for serious work and hunting I load either some 165gr LSWCGC or 158 gr hornady XTP SP over 14.5 gr of 2400 or some hornady 180gr XTP's over 14 gr of 2400.

I have just gotten some Lil gun and that will be my next experiement session at the reload bench.

I have found that a good load out of the box was PMC 158 gr soft points.

 

[mtnbkr]

I don't know how similar the internals of the Rossi is to a Winchester 94, but I had problems with heavy bullet loads in a 94 Trapper. The recoil would eventually chip or break the tab that held the rounds inside the magazine tube. It's easy to fix (replace the Link), but gets old after the first time. I've had it happen twice. From now on, I won't shoot anything heavier than 158gr bullets out of that gun.

Chris

 

[jdmb03]

In my Timberwolf I use 158gr. lead rounds for target practice.

 

[ChristopherG]

That 170 Gold Dot JSP is the perfect bullet, IMHO, for a .357 carbine. Follow the links at Speer's sight, and they have a supplemental load data sheet for it. Their loads top out at around 1650 fps from a Marlin 1894 in 18.5" configuration, using Lil' gun or 296. I use 15 gr. of 296 for a slightly lighter than max load at around 1600. Accurate as heck and plenty of authority for a little carbine. For cheaper plinking, I use a little more 296 (16.0--Winchester's published max is 16.6, others go higher) under a 158 gr. JSP. This shoots as close to the same point of aim as the 170 JSP as I can tell, and I can get 158 JSPs from Zero (rozedist.com) for 52.20 a thousand, shipped.

Oops. When you said 'loads', I assumed handloads. Dunno if that's in your purview. If it's not, you should get it there, quick

 

[MeekandMild]

One might look to the Speer manual for insight. My old ninth edition has several pages devoted to reloading the .357 for rifle and the powders recommended in the tables are not all the same ones as for pistol. My manual was put out back when 357 rifles were very new. By now I suppose they have probably done a lot more experimentation (as Christopher indicates).

My old manual mentions that they consider anything between 140 and 180 grains suitable for deer below 100 yards.

Midway has a wide selction of Speer bullets, though some are listed under .35 (.358) caliber. They do list 180 grain .35 cal, but not the gold dots.

 

[twoblink]

Most have problems feeding with full wadcutters, so just watch out..

 

[The_Antibubba]

357 loads

Sorry, shouhd have been more specifyc
I don't reload. Maybe someday. I need good factory loads.


The Antibubba

 

[ChristopherG]

Okay, factory it is; but good for what? Are you looking for inexpensive plinking/training loads, or deer hunting loads, or S/H-D, or what?

 

[The_Antibubba]

Carbine use

I'm looking at home defense, mostly. I want to take advantage of the extra barrel length as much as possible, no muzzle flash etc. A "tactical" carbine, if you will. I hope to add a laser site, later, after I've broken it in. Plus, I'm new to lever action. and I want the input of others.


The Antibubba

 

[ChristopherG]

Okay, then. 'F I were looking for such a load, I'd look for a 125 gr JHP rated for 1450 or 1500--from a handgun; light bullet for limited penetration. These would be likely to get up to near 2000 fps from a carbine; for that reason, I'd look specifically for a 125 gr. Gold Dot, which would be the bullet I'd expect to hole together best at that high speed. So, yeah: Speer Gold Dot 125 gr. JHPs.

Those are gonna be pricey for regular shooting, though. To practice & play, I'd probably get a thousand of these for $173, shipped to your door:

http://www.rozedist.com/cgi-bin/miv...e=ROZE&Product_Code=R505&Category_Code=ZA-357

Now, I'll get out of your way and let others pitch in.
cg