Lead HBWC in .357mag cases?

[something vague]

Is it reasonable to load HBWC (Hornady's) in .357 mag cases? I have an over abundance of .357 cases and am also sick of cleaning out the powder rings from the .38 special loads. I love HBWC and how light and accurate they can be when the proper load is found. How should I go about dealling with the extra case capacity if I transfer .38 special load data over to the .357 case? I have had great luck with w231 in .38 therefore will probably be using this or Unviversal for the load development. I read many cases where people use .38 special loads in .357 mag but have never specifically seen it for lead HBWC bullets. Sorry, may be a dumb question but just have never done it personally.

 

[rcmodel]

Yes it works perfectly fine.

You will need just a scooch more powder to equal the .38 Spl velocity in the longer .357 case.

Current Hodgdon data seems to say just the opposite, but I believe they are wrong.

rc

 

[UnderDawgAl]

I agree with rcmodel. I have been meaning to contact Hodgdon regarding the data they show on their website for 148 HBWC in 38 and 357. Looks like they have the powder amounts for W231 reversed on their website for this bullet.

Like you, something vague, I have begun shooting only 357 brass in my 686. For HBWC, I've used W231 and 3.2-3.5 grains. Excellent accuracy, no recoil, clean. Matter of fact, it's so accurate, I have a hard time justifying buying myself a much-wanted Model 14!

I use the same load for solid DEWCs, except for the occasional bump-up just for fun.

Hope this helps.

 

[243winxb]

If the bullet is seated deep, you might get a bulge at the base of the bullet. Seems i remember 357 brass having thicker walls going towards the head. Could this be why the different amounts of powder between 357 & 38? Just guessing here. The CUP pressure is higher for the 357 using less powder.

 

[something vague]

Thanks, I don't know why I missed Hodgdon's data, I have the catalouge and some reason spaced looking through it. I checked all three of my other manuals and never saw it. I will have to try them out for sure. It seems that they should be slightly more accurate having less jump to the lands than in .38's. And I would agree that Hodgdon has the data mixed up as Universal data shows that you would need a bit more powder in the .357 case, the same should hold true for W231.

 

[OrangePwrx9]

I've been doing this for at least a couple of decades. Mostly DEWC but some HBWC when I can get them cheaply. Can't see any difference.

Use mostly 3.0 gr. Bullseye and a small pistol magnum primer. Only reason for the magnum primer is that's what I've kinda standardized on. Works with regular primers too.
Bob

 

[loadedround]

100% in agreement with the other knowledgable posters. For years I had loaded the 148 gr LHBWC in 357 cases with a load of 3.0 gr of Bullseye for a light plinking load in my Blackhawk and Python revolvers.