looking for moderate .357 SWC load

[JWM]

I have a four-inch S&W model 686 revolver that I want to use as a general woods gun. My press is a Dillion Square Deal B. I have a bunch of empty .357 brass and several thousand hard-cast SWC bullets (158 grain) from a local vendor. The primers are Federal 100 small pistol. What do you recommend for a moderate, 1000-1100 FPS, with these components from my four-inch gun ?? I want to use standard and not magnum primers. I don't need a barn-burning load, but I would like something above .38 +P performance. Kinda like a low-end .357 magnum load with cast bullets. All my reloading manuals are for swaged bullets only.

 

[Steve C]

6.0 to 6.5grs of Unique with a 158gr LSWC. Classic load that should fall in your velocity range.

 

[HSMITH]

I also like the Unique loads around 6 grains very much.

 

[JWM]

Thanks guys. I've read somewhere before about 6.0 grains Unique with the 158 grain SWC. Can I continue to use my standard Federal primers with Unique powder ? I don't want to use magnum primers or gas checks if I can help it. Thanks.

 

[MCgunner]

I don't use magnum primers even with heavy loads of slower powder. I'd think there'd be no problem with a light charge of Unique using a standard primer.

I load 5.0 grains Unique under a 158 grain SWC in .38 brass. That's a mild +P load for .38. All my .357 loads are pretty hot, though, using 2400. My 180 grain load uses AA#9, a decent powder for this caliber for hot loads.

 

[bakert]

In my S&W 66 I use 7.4 grs of HS6 with a 158 cast LSWC. Accurate and easy on the gun.

 

[HSMITH]

Standard primers are all you need or want with Unique.