Cast bullets in .357 magnum rifle suggestions

[Bush Pilot]

For some odd reason I've decided to try cast bullets in some of my .357 magnum rifles (4 Marlins,1 Henry and 1 Ruger bolt action) All I'm looking for is something to plink with (no hunting) Any suggestions, commercial source.?

 

[Seedy Character]

Eggleston
SnS
Missouri Bullet Co

Powder coated bullets will keep the barrel clean.
Lots of sources, I have used several, main difference is price.

My preference is Eggleston.
1. Large selection of bullet type
2. Great price
3. Choice of colors on powder coat
4. Pick your size. Most can be had sized .355, .356, .357, or .358

They offer a 95 gr LRN (listed as .380 ACP bullet) powder coated and sized .358, makes a mild plinker.

I have 95 gr, 102 gr, 115 gr, 124 gr, 140 gr, & 158 gr

 

[Obturation]

It can be tricky, not what I expected. I'm very comfortable loading 357 magnum for revolvers, I've done it for years with great success. A few years ago I picked up a ruger 77/357 and thought my usual 158 grain hi tek coated swc bullet over 14 grains of 2400, this load is great in every revolver ever. Nope. It's bad in the 77.

I was surprised and went on a search for a cast load that would work equally well in carbine and revolver. The best I managed was with a 180 grain wfn , it was accurate but was difficult to close bolt- extra resistance to turn handle down. I don't love that . a member here said they had one that had an excessively long leade and cast was a no go in their 77/357.

I plan to revisit this when I get around to it, in the meantime I shoot 158 grain xtp over a full load of h110 . those shoot very well in a revolver too but I just don't like buying jacketed bullets. It's not the end of the world to have a separate carbine load but it adds a small extra bit of complexity .

I'll be watching this thread to see if anyone has some fresh ideas.

 

[kcofohio]

For some odd reason I've decided to try cast bullets in some of my .357 magnum rifles (4 Marlins,1 Henry and 1 Ruger bolt action) All I'm looking for is something to plink with (no hunting) Any suggestions, commercial source.?

I've only begun shooting cast in my 77/357. And so far, only out to 50m. with 175 gr. SWC. They shot decent, but bot enough experience here to suggest any supplier. I'm hoping that I can get SWCs in 158 gr. or 175 gr. to be accurate.
MBCs 158 gr. SWC always shot well in my revolvers. I just haven't got around to loading any for rifle.

 

[Seedy Character]

[QUOTE="Obturation, post: 12539576, member: It's not the end of the world to have a separate carbine load but it adds a small extra bit of complexity .

I'll be watching this thread to see if anyone has some fresh ideas.[/QUOTE]

Different bullet weight / different load = different color on powder coat.

 

[Charlie98]

I've put a lot of rounds downrange out of pistol cartridge levers...

What works well enough in a pistol should work reasonably well in a rifle barrel. I always recommend powder at least as slow as Unique (Universal, BE-86, et al...) and slower... to maximize the barrel length, and that includes plinkers. If you really want to explore the added range of a rifle, or get that self-satisfaction whack on the steel plate, move to slower powders... IMR4227, 2400, and the like, or even W296/H110.

Particularly in the Marlin... assuming it/they have MicroGroove rifling, the diameter on your cast bullet needs to be right, or you will get poor accuracy. You can't really go wrong starting with the 158grn cast SWC, but there are plenty of bullet weights and shaped in that weight neighborhood to play with.

 

[Obturation]

Here were some of the target pictures I could find quickly from my cast bullet testing with my 77/357. All fired indoors at maybe 75'- standing unsupported , I think. Don't quote me if I said differently when I originally posted about it. I really remember these groups being worse, not sure what I was expecting...

You can see there were some decent groups. Maybe I was shooting supported .
This thread is dragging me down the rabbit hole again. I'll find the whole load of target pictured later , I've got Saturday morning stuff to do now.

 

[Bfh_auto]

If you're just plinking. Missouri bullet company makes a 125 RNFP that works great.

 

[lightman]

My favorite cast bullets are the Keith Type SWC. But they probably won't feed reliably in a lever action. A round nose flat point type bullet will be more reliable.

 

[Rule3]

The MBC "cowboy bullets" listed under pistol are good for lever actions RN or FN BHN 12 so not for full house 357 mag velocities(but being coated shouldn't matter)

They have heavier ones listed under rifle which are harder bhn of 18

Get the coated ones.

https://missouribullet.com/results.php?pageNum_rsCWResults=3&category=5&secondary=9

I also like ACME

https://www.acmebullet.com/Bullets/38Cal

 

[GeoDudeFlorida]

For some odd reason I've decided to try cast bullets in some of my .357 magnum rifles (4 Marlins,1 Henry and 1 Ruger bolt action) All I'm looking for is something to plink with (no hunting) Any suggestions, commercial source.?

I would consider the RMR 147gr “Smiley” as well. Just crimp right into the jacket or use a taper die.
https://www.rmrbullets.com/shop/bullets/pistol/357-38/357-147-gr-rmr-fmj-smiley/

 

[AJC1]

The MBC "cowboy bullets" listed under pistol are good for lever actions RN or FN BHN 12 so not for full house 357 mag velocities(but being coated shouldn't matter)

They have heavier ones listed under rifle which are harder bhn of 18

Get the coated ones.

https://missouribullet.com/results.php?pageNum_rsCWResults=3&category=5&secondary=9

I also like ACME

https://www.acmebullet.com/Bullets/38Cal

My experence does not support your assertion. I drive maximum charges of 158 class bullets at bhn 12. Elmer Keith seems to think it was a fine idea. If you can support a reason for using over bhn 12 in a 357 I'm all ears.

 

[ahutch71]

Not commercial, but these are my go-to for a Henry 357 carbine. For plinking I generally use Unique, for business in the woods I use 13gr of 2400. Fine medicine for armadillo, coyote, and one unlucky skunk. Haven’t used it for deer, but I expect it’d work at shorter distances. They’re as accurate as I am out to about 75 yards which is as far as I can shoot accurately with irons.

 

[dannyd]

MB 180 Hi-Tek with Blue Dot or Unique.

 

[Bfh_auto]

My experence does not support your assertion. I drive maximum charges of 158 class bullets at bhn 12. Elmer Keith seems to think it was a fine idea. If you can support a reason for using over bhn 12 in a 357 I'm all ears.

I mostly agree. I did start to get leading at just over 2000 fps with H110. But I could shoot 50 rounds with it cleaning using normal techniques.
The 18 bhn started leading at the same velocity. So I think it was a running out of lube issue.
My carbine is one of my few guns that run faster than expected.

 

[AJC1]

I mostly agree. I did start to get leading at just over 2000 fps with H110. But I could shoot 50 rounds with it cleaning using normal techniques.
The 18 bhn started leading at the same velocity. So I think it was a running out of lube issue.
My carbine is one of my few guns that run faster than expected.

Did you shift to a rifle lube. It may help. I pc so I avoid that stuff. Some claim pc is a bandaid, with the results I have, not bothering me. Fastest I ever got a bullet out of my carbine was a jacketed at 1750. Only have 16".

 

[ColtPythonElite]

I have had good luck with the coated MBC 140 gr Zingers and my Rossi 92.

 

[Bfh_auto]

Did you shift to a rifle lube. It may help. I pc so I avoid that stuff. Some claim pc is a bandaid, with the results I have, not bothering me. Fastest I ever got a bullet out of my carbine was a jacketed at 1750. Only have 16".

That was factory MBC bullets.
Jacketed don't run as fast as cast in my experience.
I have not been able to test my own lube in anything except my 7.62x39.
The OP should look into the hitec coated bullets for ease of loading.
I agree with powder coat not being a bandaid. It's like putting a sweat shirt on when it's chilly instead of jumping around to stay warm.

 

[dredd]

I would consider the RMR 147gr “Smiley” as well. Just crimp right into the jacket or use a taper die.
https://www.rmrbullets.com/shop/bullets/pistol/357-38/357-147-gr-rmr-fmj-smiley/

I picked up 500 of these when they first came out. I couldn't resist.
I still haven't loaded any. I'd like to make some 357 plinking ammo for the pistols and lever action.
I'm also open to 38 Special, but I already have quite a large stash loaded up and waiting in the wings.

I'm not having much luck tracking down load data.
Hornady Book - x
Sierra Book - x
Hodgdon Site - x
Lyman Book - Has a 146/gr JHP, but the only power I have is H110.
I don't want to burn up my H110 on plinkers.

I'd like to burn up some Auto Comp or HP-38
I could also sacrifice some CFE Pistol.

Any suggestions?

Thanks!

 

[AJC1]

I picked up 500 of these when they first came out. I couldn't resist.
I still haven't loaded any. I'd like to make some 357 plinking ammo for the pistols and lever action.
I'm also open to 38 Special, but I already have quite a large stash loaded up and waiting in the wings.

I'm not having much luck tracking down load data.
Hornady Book - x
Sierra Book - x
Hodgdon Site - x
Lyman Book - Has a 146/gr JHP, but the only power I have is H110.
I don't want to burn up my H110 on plinkers.

I'd like to burn up some Auto Comp or HP-38
I could also sacrifice some CFE Pistol.

Any suggestions?

Thanks!

I'd be looking at right around 5.0 grains of hp38. That's probably very low but I'm not to run full speed into the unknown.

 

[GeoDudeFlorida]

I picked up 500 of these when they first came out. I couldn't resist.
I still haven't loaded any. I'd like to make some 357 plinking ammo for the pistols and lever action.
I'm also open to 38 Special, but I already have quite a large stash loaded up and waiting in the wings.

I'm not having much luck tracking down load data.
Hornady Book - x
Sierra Book - x
Hodgdon Site - x
Lyman Book - Has a 146/gr JHP, but the only power I have is H110.
I don't want to burn up my H110 on plinkers.

I'd like to burn up some Auto Comp or HP-38
I could also sacrifice some CFE Pistol.

Any suggestions?

Thanks!

Well, @longdayjake is a member and he is the one who came up with the idea for the bullet so it’s worth asking RMR for some ideas. Also, Winchester/Hodgdon has some tested data for the Speer 146gr JHP using Autocomp which will get you a good starting load. Ditto for W231/HP38. But I don’t have anything specifically for that bullet.

 

[dredd]

Well, @longdayjake is a member and he is the one who came up with the idea for the bullet so it’s worth asking RMR for some ideas. Also, Winchester/Hodgdon has some tested data for the Speer 146gr JHP using Autocomp which will get you a good starting load. Ditto for W231/HP38. But I don’t have anything specifically for that bullet.

Thank you!

I was looking at 147 and up on the Hodgdon Site. I didn't think to go backwards to 146 after cruising thru my Lyman book.
DUH!!!!

I didn't want to pester Jake. I know that he has his hands full and is very busy.

I was hoping I was missing a Manual or something else and I was.

I appreciate the help. I try to do my homework, but I kinda blew it this time.

 

[P Flados]

I picked up 500 of these when they first came out. I couldn't resist.
I still haven't loaded any. I'd like to make some 357 plinking ammo for the pistols and lever action.
I'm also open to 38 Special, but I already have quite a large stash loaded up and waiting in the wings.

I'd like to burn up some Auto Comp or HP-38
I could also sacrifice some CFE Pistol.

Any suggestions?

Thanks!

The typical guidance for plated is to use cast data. I ran Quickload using a cast bullet (weight adjusted to 147 gr). Your bullet length is probably different than the one I used, so "seating depth" is what you want to look at instead of OAL. I ran the velocities for a rifle. My version of QL does not have Auto Comp.

Cartridge          : .357 Magnum (SAAMI)
Bullet             : .357, 150, LYM LSWC 358477
Seating depth      : 0.350"
Barrel Length      : 18.0 inch = 457.2 mm
Powder             : Hodgdon HP38

Predicted data by increasing and decreasing the given charge,
incremented in steps of 3.333% of nominal charge.
CAUTION: Figures exceed maximum and minimum recommended loads !

Step    Fill. Charge   Vel.  Energy   Pmax   Pmuz  Prop.Burnt B_Time
 %       %    Grains   fps   ft.lbs    psi    psi      %        ms

-33.3   31     4.00   1041     353   11661    635    100.0    1.979
-30.0   33     4.20   1071     374   12712    660    100.0    1.909
-26.7   34     4.40   1101     396   13810    685    100.0    1.844
-23.3   36     4.60   1130     417   14956    711    100.0    1.785
-20.0   37     4.80   1158     438   16150    736    100.0    1.730
-16.7   39     5.00   1185     459   17393    761    100.0    1.679
-13.3   40     5.20   1212     480   18684    786    100.0    1.632
-10.0   42     5.40   1239     501   20025    810    100.0    1.588
-06.7   43     5.60   1265     522   21415    835    100.0    1.547
-03.3   45     5.80   1290     543   22855    859    100.0    1.509
+00.0   46     6.00   1315     564   24347    884    100.0    1.473
+03.3   48     6.20   1339     585   25890    908    100.0    1.439
+06.7   50     6.40   1363     607   27486    932    100.0    1.407
+10.0   51     6.60   1387     628   29135    956    100.0    1.377
+13.3   53     6.80   1410     649   30838    979    100.0    1.349  ! Near Maximum !
+16.7   54     7.00   1433     671   32596   1003    100.0    1.322  ! Near Maximum !

 

[GeoDudeFlorida]

The typical guidance for plated is to use cast data. I ran Quickload using a cast bullet (weight adjusted to 147 gr). Your bullet length is probably different than the one I used, so "seating depth" is what you want to look at instead of OAL. I ran the velocities for a rifle. My version of QL does not have Auto Comp.

Cartridge          : .357 Magnum (SAAMI)
Bullet             : .357, 150, LYM LSWC 358477
Seating depth      : 0.350"
Barrel Length      : 18.0 inch = 457.2 mm
Powder             : Hodgdon HP38

Predicted data by increasing and decreasing the given charge,
incremented in steps of 3.333% of nominal charge.
CAUTION: Figures exceed maximum and minimum recommended loads !

Step    Fill. Charge   Vel.  Energy   Pmax   Pmuz  Prop.Burnt B_Time
 %       %    Grains   fps   ft.lbs    psi    psi      %        ms

-33.3   31     4.00   1041     353   11661    635    100.0    1.979
-30.0   33     4.20   1071     374   12712    660    100.0    1.909
-26.7   34     4.40   1101     396   13810    685    100.0    1.844
-23.3   36     4.60   1130     417   14956    711    100.0    1.785
-20.0   37     4.80   1158     438   16150    736    100.0    1.730
-16.7   39     5.00   1185     459   17393    761    100.0    1.679
-13.3   40     5.20   1212     480   18684    786    100.0    1.632
-10.0   42     5.40   1239     501   20025    810    100.0    1.588
-06.7   43     5.60   1265     522   21415    835    100.0    1.547
-03.3   45     5.80   1290     543   22855    859    100.0    1.509
+00.0   46     6.00   1315     564   24347    884    100.0    1.473
+03.3   48     6.20   1339     585   25890    908    100.0    1.439
+06.7   50     6.40   1363     607   27486    932    100.0    1.407
+10.0   51     6.60   1387     628   29135    956    100.0    1.377
+13.3   53     6.80   1410     649   30838    979    100.0    1.349  ! Near Maximum !
+16.7   54     7.00   1433     671   32596   1003    100.0    1.322  ! Near Maximum !

FYI and FWIW, the RMR “Smiley” is an FMJ-TC bullet, not plated.

 

[ericuda]

I have had good luck with mbc 158 rn. They feed better than lswc for me.