lead in 357 mag.

[joshlm]

I have some leftover bullets that I peviously used in 38 special cases for target shooting. I have some 158g Remington Lswc that seem to have been lubed with some type of black substance. I also have various D&J that have the ribbon around them for lubrication. I would like to know what kind of volocity I could push these bullets in a 6" gp100 using 2400. Also, how do the casting companies put the small ribbon of lube on the bullets and can it be done by a home caster.

 

[labgrade]

I would like to know what kind of volocity I could push these bullets in a 6" gp100 using 2400."

No telling. Depends on alloy hardness & some other stuff. Load 'em to <1Kfps & you should be OK.

The "ribbon" is "injected" into what's called a grease grrove/lube groove & is done when the bullet is sized. Fairly simple ieice of machinery called a luber/sizer. Just squeezes the lube (under pressure) into the groove.

BTW, a decent sized/lubed/decent alloy cast bullet in a .357 can be pushed about as fast as any jacketed in the same platform.

 

[ChristopherG]

The Remington will be swaged, I think; you don't wanna go over 900 with them.

D&J advertizes their hardcast as up to 1450 without significant leading, and a slow burning powder like 2400 should help, but there are lots of variables of hardness and fit, as labgrade mentions. If you wanna see how fast you can go, and don't mind cleaning up a little if you go over just a bit, maybe 1200 would be a good point to aim for.

CG

 

[Johnny Guest]

As ChristopherG pointed out - -

The Remington will be swaged, I think; you don't wanna go over 900 with them.

I agree you don't want to push 'em too hot, but Rem loads these same bullets in .38 Spl +P to around 1050 without excessive leading. At least, this is our experience with the equivalent LSWCHP in Elder Son's Colt Officers Model Special.

Suggest you try a few with 11.5 gr. of 2400. This should go 1100 to 1150 from your 6" Ruger. Some time back I loaded some with the old Winchester Luballoy swaged lead 158s, over 12.5 of the old Hercules 2400. Only minor lead deposits in an old S&W pre-27 five inch. This bullet was famed for leading at higher velocities.

I realize that the specific question dealt with 2400, but - -
I respectfully submit that 7.0 gr of Unique is also a good, mildish magnum load. It gives around 1100 in my brother's six-inch Taurus, with no notable lead deposits for 50 rounds or so.

Please let us know the results of your efforts.

Best,
Johnny

 

[Brian Williams]

6gr of Win231 is a great load in 357 mag cases and 158gr LSWC.

 

[joshlm]

Good info guys. I will give it a try this weekend and let you know what I come up with.

 

[joshlm]

For all those interested I loaded up all the way to 14 grains using both bullets and the 2400 using winchester brass and primers. After the 13 grain mark the remingtons began to lead the barrell and the groups started to widen. At 14 grains I fired a 5 shot group that I could barely keep on the target much less hit anything. The barrel leading was heavy, as was expected. The D&J didn't seem to leave any lead in the barrel and grouped about 2 1/2" at 25 yards. The D&J seemed to get more accurate as I increased the powder charge, but not sure why. I had one cratered primer in the full charge with the remingtons, and no signs of pressure with the D&J. Recoil and muzzle blast was considerably worse with the higher charges.

 

[Damon of Baltimore]

I used the remington 158gr swc's over 6.6gr of Bullseye with federal magnum primers on monday at my local indoor range. Just to try a few lead bullets in my 357 (usually I load 125gr rainier FMJFP's over 7.5gr of Bullseye with the federal magnum primers).

It reminded me of the scenes from old pirate movies when they fired their one-shot black powder pistols. After four shots, I couldn't see my target and the guy in the lane next to me had to step two lanes over to get fresh air.

I was quite embarrassed to say the least. The rainier's have never done this. I was wondering if it was the bullet or will all lead bullets perform this way?

Did your loads make smoke signals too?

I'm just wondering because I want to order more lead bullets for 38 loads, but would like to order some that will work in my 357 as well.

BTW the same bullets in 38 cases over 3.2gr of bullseye shoot pretty cleanly.

Damon

 

[joshlm]

I did not notice any more smoke from the remingtons than from any other lead bullet, however I do shoot outdoors so it would probably be less noticeable. As far as the 158 loaded into 357 their would not be a problem with a hardcast bullet, however as I reported earlier the remingtons left allot of lead in the barrel at 357 volocities. The remingtons do seem to be my most accurate bullet when loaded in 38 special cases and pushed to 38+p volocity. I just yesterday ordered some 158 cast swc from penn bullets and am going to give them a try loaded to 357 volocities. Hope this helps.