.357mag, 2400 (13.5gr-15.3gr), 158gr LSWC

[roo_ster]

Another THR member asked me about my .357mag/2400/158grLSWC loads & I decided I might as well paste all the data in one place.

I had to place load comments in a separate

 box, as I couldn't get it to render properly.

COL is not included, as my COL is derived from a dummy cartridge.  That will eventually get into my load notes (COL, not cartridge).  COL is determined by the crimp groove, so that I get a good, heavy roll crimp in the groove.

There were two iterations:
1. 13.5gr-15.3gr in roughly .5gr increments; loads chronographed
2. 15.2gr & 15.3gr

[code]Index                    1                 2                 3                 4                 5                 6                 7
Cartridge           .357_Magnum       .357_Magnum       .357_Magnum       .357_Magnum       .357_Magnum       .357_Magnum       .357_Magnum
Date                 2005-05-07        2005-05-07        2005-05-07        2005-05-07        2005-05-07        2005-10-04        2005-10-04
Temp                     75                75                75                75                75
Wind                   10_45             10_45             10_45             10_45             10_45
Wpn_Manuf          Smith & Wesson    Smith & Wesson    Smith & Wesson    Smith & Wesson    Smith & Wesson    Smith & Wesson    Smith & Wesson
Wpn_Model               686               686               686               686               686               686               686
Wpn_BBL                  4                 4                 4                 4                 4                 4                 4
Wpn_Serial
Bullet_Manuf           Rucker            Rucker            Rucker            Rucker            Rucker            Rucker            Rucker
Bullet_Name              -                 -                 -                 -                 -                 -                 -
Bullet_Const            Cast              Cast              Cast              Cast              Cast              Cast              Cast
Bullet_Alloy            Unk               Unk               Unk               Unk               Unk               Unk               Unk
Bullet_Profile          SWC               SWC               SWC               SWC               SWC               SWC               SWC
Bullet_Wt               158               158               158               158               158               158               158
Bullet_Base            Bevel             Bevel             Bevel             Bevel             Bevel             Bevel             Bevel
Bullet_Diam            0.358             0.358             0.358             0.358             0.358             0.358             0.358
Bullet_Lube             Unk               Unk               Unk               Unk               Unk               Unk               Unk
Bullet_BHN              Unk               Unk               Unk               Unk               Unk               Unk               Unk
Powder_Manuf          Alliant           Alliant           Alliant           Alliant           Alliant           Alliant           Alliant
Powder_Name             2400              2400              2400              2400              2400              2400              2400
Powder_Wt               13.5               14               14.5               15               15.3              15.2              15.3
Powder_Filler           None              None              None              None              None              None              None
Primer_Manuf
Primer_Name
Primer_Type              SP                SP                SP                SP                SP                SP                SP
Brass_Manuf            Mixed             Mixed             Mixed             Mixed             Mixed           Winchester        Winchester
Brass_Trim_Length        NA                NA                NA                NA                NA                NA                NA
COL
Crimp                  Roll_H            Roll_H            Roll_H            Roll_H            Roll_H            Roll_H            Roll_H
Vel_Avg                 1195              1242              1282              1344              1438
Vel_SD_Avg             21.93             32.41               38               60.6             125.05
Vel_ES                 31.07             78.19             71.43             117.6              228
Group_Size             1.531             3.428             2.034             1.911             1.302               8                10.6
Group_Num_Shots          5                 5                 5                 5                 5                 16                14
Group_Dist               10                10                10                10                10                25                25
MOA                 14.61997307        32.7349887       19.42326925       18.24870577       12.43318415       30.55774907       40.48901752
MOA/Shot            2.923994614       6.546997739       3.884653851       3.649741155       2.486636831       1.909859317        2.89207268
Pressure

Index	Comments
1	Unburnt power in chambers & bbl; Primer strikes rounded; Dry bronze brush chambers & bbl
2	Unburnt power in chambers & bbl; Primer strikes rounded; Leading first 1/5 of bbl;  Dry bronze brush chambers & bbl
3	Unburnt power in  bbl only; Primer strikes rounded; Leading first 1/3 of bbl;  Dry bronze brush chambers & bbl
4	Unburnt power in bbl only; Primer strikes more normal; Leading first 1/3 of bbl;  Dry bronze brush chambers & bbl
5	Unburnt power in one chamber only  & bbl; Primer strikes more normal; Leading first 1/2 of bbl;  Dry bronze brush chambers & bbl
6	Little unburned powder
7	Little unburned powder

 

[The Bushmaster]

Unburned powder...Are we talking about the little yellow (what looks like) "knats eggs" left over after firing rounds loaded with 2400?

 

[roo_ster]

The unburned powder looked like little, dark kernels. I guess it could have been burned fouling, but it seemed like unburned powder to my inexpert eyes.

 

[The Bushmaster]

No...These are tiny yellowish balls or beads that decrease as The powder charge is increased.

 

[Coltdriver]

I have used similar loadings, 14.5 grains in a Ruger GP100 but I was using 158 grain jacketed hollow points.

Is there a fps limit beyond which it is not advisable to push lead bullets?

 

[ChristopherG]

Well, no, you can push them as fast as you like, if you don't mind cleaning up after yourself. If you look at jfruser's notes, he comments on increased leading as velocity and pressure increased, which is exactly what you'd expect. If you don't like cleaning lead out, then your high-speed loads either need to use jacketed bullets or gas-checked lead. This is my preference. I have shot fast cast loads, but don't like the mess of cleaning up. I now use lead only for stuff below 950 or so fps, and get basically no leading.