Favorite recipe for .357 mag 158LSWC ??

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Favorite recipe for .357 mag 158LSWC

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So does anyone have a favorite load for a .357 mag revolver using the 158lswc? I have 2,000 coming from Penn bullets. I'm currently using 5.0 grains of titegroup, or 6.0 grains of unique, or 5.0 grains 231.

I'm looking for a pleasant accurate target load, in a .357 mag case.

Thanks
 
I use the Lyman Gas Check bullets over 14.1 grains of H4227 with WSPM primers. I get a 3/4" one hole group at 25 yards.
 
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My 3 best loads for 158gr LSWCs are (in order):
7.5gr AA #5
7.0gr Hod. Universal Clays (loads VERY similiar to Unique) 1183fps
14.7gr Win 296

these are all using Win WSPM primers and an OAL of 1.590", shot out of a 4" Ruger Security Six.
 
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I've loaded some hard cast 158 grain LSWC bullets with 5.3 grains of Winchester 231. I use Winchester primers. I'm guessing it does about 1000 fps. One member told me his Speer book shows 4.9 to 5.4 grains.

(Another member told me one of the most accurate loads in a couple of his S&W .357's is a 173 grain home cast bullet and 5.5 grains of Winchester 231.)
 
i use Blue Dot at near max loads. very accurate until you exceed max in the Rugers. experiment away, but be cautious at and over max.
 
Mild .357 loads

With the combo you describe, try 3.2gr of Hodgdons Clays. 860fps out of my 4 inch wheelgun and very pleasant to shoot. JoeyT
 
5.6 grains of unique, federal sp primers, R-P cases. Haven't chrono'd it but amazingly small groups out of my 4" M19.
 
I like a hot .357 load but stay below max ... and have used for ages ....
14.0 grains Viht N-110 pushing the Lyman 158 gas check SWC .. I cast these myself, and size .357. They are great thru my N frames and also very reasonable grouping thru my Win 94.

My only reason to change from these is the aquisition last year of 2,500 or so ''blem'' bullets - 158 JHP - which turn out to be nice Hornadies! These will soon pass into service as I load the last of my stock of cast swc's.
 
This load is stiff over max in some books, slightly under in others.
That being said I've found it VERY accurate through all my rugers.

158 HCSWC(laser-cast)
15.2gr. of 2400
Federal small pistol magnum primer
winchester, federal, or starline brass.

This runs around 1500 fps. in a 6.5" barrel. It's a little smokey, but anything it does leave wipes right off the gun. I back it down to 14.8 grains with a jacketed slug.

Between 10-12 grains of blue dot works well too. It just depends how much wallop you want.
 
I'm looking for a pleasant accurate target load, in a .357 mag case.
Using my home cast 158 grain RNFP or RN or SWC bullets my favorite pleasant load is 5.5 grains of Unique. This is probably a touch more than a 38 +P type of loading. My bullets are somewhat soft, just a tad softer than wheel weights and I use a home made lube now-a-days. This load has been run over a chronograph and has consistently produced averages between 950 and 975 depending on the revolver being used.

I have not yet chronographed this load using commercial hard cast bullets but hope to do so this coming summer.
 
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