A little help here, please...357

[rick300]

I'm a new reloader and just got some Magtech 158 grn semi jacketed soft point bullets so far I've only loaded speer bullets with data from the speer manual. I started at 6.9 gns of unique and only went up a bit (I'm still in the reload to shoot cheap stage). Can I start with the same charge with these new bullets? Thank's Rick

 

[JDGray]

Start at the starting load data, and work up The data in my Lee manual shows 7.2grs to start, you'll be fine at 6.9

 

[rick300]

JD.. Thank's I'm new and I don't want to make any mistakes... I'm double checking everything.....Rick

 

[ArchAngelCD]

Don't go below the starting charge especially with a jacketed bullet. That can be just as or even more dangerous than too high a charge. If the jacket sticks in the barrel you you don't realize it, the next shot is going to get very interesting very quickly.

When you are loading near the bottom of the charge range any bullet with the same weight and similar profile will be totally safe to use with the same data. It's when you are at the Max charge you need to be careful with different bullets and actually, any component you change.

Welcome to reloading...

 

[Marlin 45 carbine]

ditto #4, don't go below the recommended start powder charge.
sort of 'off topic' but I loaded some MagTech jacketed s-p for my .380acp and man did they group good. penetrated aways into wet cardboard before opening up but did expand OK.

 

[loadedround]

The current Speer #14 Manual show a starting charge of 6.9 gr of Unique with a158 gr JSWC bullet so you would be OK using your 6.9 gr charge. As others have said don't go below the starting charge with a jacketed bullet to prevent a bullet from lodging in your barrel.

 

[Mal H]

All good advice above, I just wanted to make a comment on this:

"I'm new and I don't want to make any mistakes... I'm double checking everything..."

I'm old and I've been doing this reloading thing for over 40 years, and I still double check everything. Just wanted to say that you should never get out of that habit even after you no longer consider yourself a newbie at reloading.

 

[rick300]

Mal H, Thanks for that. I will always double check. I loaded 50 rounds tonight (single stage with loading blocks) after I charged 50 rounds I checked with a flashlight and discovered I only charged 49, I learned that here, along with many other safety tips. Thank you and all the others who share what they know, most of what little
I know about reloading I've learned here.....Rick