LRN in a 357 case?

[bow!bow!bow!]

Hey there this is my first thread on the High Road, what a great forum! I have only been reloading for a short time and I have learned a great deal from you guys on here. I cannot find an answer for this question anywhere though...
I have a big box of Speer 38cal 158 gr .358" RN bullets. I also have the Speer #14 Reloading Manual. There is no load data in 357 mag for these bullets, only 38. I can't ever remember getting factory LRN ammo for 357 ever either, once again only 38...
My question is, Is there any reason you cannot use a LRN in a 357 mag case. I shoot my blackhawk 357 and S&W 686 a lot and I dont like running lots of 38's through it. Will the same kind of load data work as with the Speer 158 gr SWC??? I know that I want to keep the velocity low with hp-38 or tite group or trail boss... i just dont know if its bad to use that RN and why

Thanks a lot in advance!

 

[Reefinmike]

First, welcome to THR! No need to over think it, just use 38 special data. You may need an extra .1gr of powder if you are expecting the same velocity as a 38 case. 3.7-4.0gr hp38 should do ya just right!

 

[Schwing]

No problems with RN bullets at all and I share your dislike of shooting .38s in my .357.

The bullet profile is not nearly as important as the weight and whether it is cast, plated, jacketed etc. As an example, I would have no reservation using the same load data for a 158 grain cast SWC or a 158 grain cast RN. In both cases, I would start at the bottom of the data and work up. Same thing with jacketed bullets. If I had a jacketed 158 grain swc or a jacketed 158 grain RN, I would use the same data. You just wouldn't want to use cast data for jacketed or the other way around. You always start at the bottom of the data because different bullet profiles will seat at different depths so pressure and accuracy are going to be different.

I also agree with Reefinmike that you are fine to use .38 data. I have found that you often have to add .1 or .2 extra grains of powder when you put them in .357 cases but it is safe to do that.

 

[IWAC]

bow! Welcome! I think you'll like it here! There is little or no difference between using a 158gr Round Nose bullet and the standard swaged or cast Semi-wadcutter version. Just keep the velocity below about 1,000fps for no/less leading...it depends on the alloy and lube. A good guideline is to take a manual's (You do have a manual or three, right?) .38 Special +P load, increase it ~5%, to load for your 357. Works a treat!

A load I have shot hundreds of in the last 30+ years is 5.5gr Unique with a standard primer, 357 brass, 150-158gr. cast/swaged LSWC. 860 fps from a 4 " barrel, which may be +P or +P+ level. Pleasant to shoot, accurate. FUN! Any other powder of similar characteristics will serve as well. I chose Unique so a double charge would be quickly evident! A BIG box of bullets, you say? You will have fun, guaranteed! Be safe!

 

[bow!bow!bow!]

awesome thanks so much Mike, that is really good to hear bc i have already loaded 50 each with 3.7 and 3.8 gr HP38. I figured I was good, but I wanted to ask bc I couldn't find any mention of doing it online.

 

[bow!bow!bow!]

thanks a lot for the info!

 

[Schwing]

bow! Welcome! I think you'll like it here! There is little or no difference between using a 158gr Round Nose bullet and the standard swaged or cast Semi-wadcutter version. Just keep the velocity below about 1,000fps for no/less leading...it depends on the alloy and lube.

A load I have shot hundreds of in the last 30+ years is 5.5gr Unique with a standard primer, 357 brass, 158 gr LSWC. 850 fps from a 4 " barrel, which may be +P or +P+ level. Pleasant to shoot, accurate. FUN! Any other powder of similar characteristics will serve as well. A BIG box, you say? You will have fun, guaranteed! Be safe!

5.5 grains of unique behind a 158 grain cast bullet is one of my favorites

 

[bow!bow!bow!]

yes IWAC I have the Speer #14, Hornady 9th, Sierra 7th books.., and Lyman Popular revolver guides. awesome advice!

 

[joem1945]

I just loaded some 180 gr LRN for my .357 mag. runs fine.

 

[Jesse Heywood]

When working up 38 spl loads in 357 mag cases, be sure the bullet exits the barrel before pulling the trigger again. Best way is to watch the bullet hit the target if you have good eyes.

 

[joneb]

I would start with 4.0-4.3gr of TB with standard primers. And 4.2-4.5gr of HP-38 again with standard primers.
I am guessing the 158gr LRN occupies a bit less space in the case than a 158gr LSWC?

 

[Dudedog]

Welcome to THR!, lots of great people here.



I may be mistaken but I was thinking the .38 Speer round nose were fairly soft,
If I remember correctly. (seldom happens but every now and then)
If they are soft they will be happier at the lower end of the charge range.
You may see data for 158 SWCs in .357 but they are usually harder (higher BHN) and can be driven harder.
IMO somewhere around. 4 to 4.5 gr of HP38 should work well.

 

[rsrocket1]

Welcome.
Be sure you test chamber the first round before you load a bunch. I tried loading a dozen powder coated and unsized Lee TL356-124-2R bullets in .357 cases using the first tumble lube groove as a crimp groove. The bullets shot inaccurately and pulling the hammer seemed to offer more resistance than usual. Only after loading the 2nd six did I notice that the tips of the bullets were sticking outside the front of the cylinder, they were too tall! They worked fine in 38 special cases but are too long for .357. Fortunately I didn't load a big batch before test firing them.

 

[mdi]

Welcome to the wonderful, often frustrating world of reloading! As others have stated, using data for a LSWC cast bullet, for loading a LRN cast bullet is OK. I haven't loaded any swaged bullets in 25+ years and those were just 148 gr. HBWCs. I much prefer to cast my own...

 

[gonoles_1980]

Page 893 of the Speer Ed 14, has the LSWC and LSWCHP, I would assume you would use the same load for the LRN that you have as for either of these. It is interesting they have the LRN on page 876 for the 38 spl and not on page 893 for the 357. But notice, the LSWC and LSWCHP have the same loads on the 38spl page.

 

[Sunray]

There's lots of cast 158 grain .357 data on Hodgdon's site. The shape of the bullet doesn't matter. Only the bullet weight and cast or jacketed matters.
OR you can just load .357 cases using .38 Special data and you'll be fine.

 

[Hondo 60]

Welcome to THR!

There's no reason not to shoot lead bullets in a 357 Mag.
If your manual doesn't list lead, get another mANUAL.
This is why we recommend 2 or more.
I have 7 - not bragging, just trying to give good advice.

Lyman's Cast Bullet Handbook is a go-to manual for cast bullets.
It also has great reading about how to cast your own.

You also might wanna check out the powder manufacturer's websites.
They have free data.

Again, welcome to the addict ... OH! I mean hobby, ya, that's it, hobby

 

[bow!bow!bow!]

thanks for all the advice everyone, I ended up liking the loads at 4.5-4.7 gr range with hp-38 and standard cci 500 primers. Great grouping on paper and no kind of bad leading in the barrel. I did them up to 4.9, where i lost my accuracy. I liked 4.7 best I believe. Somebody mentioned they're too soft? Didn't seem bad at all. Yes I have 3 manuals i listed earlier and I do also have the Lyman book which I haven't quite got far into yet. Thanks for the suggestions

 

[gonoles_1980]

I used 4.5gr of HP-38 for my Speer LSWCHP loads. It appears that the softer lead is better for the lighter loads. I was happy with that load, but since I can't find W231 or HP38 for a reasonable price anymore I have been using 4.5 gr of Bullseye.

 

[Jim Watson]

I am glad you finally worked it out.
But just for the benefit of future readers, the powder can't see the nose of the bullet.
Even though you do read Internet Reloaders to say they load the bullet under the powder.

Weight matters the most, then the material of construction.

 

[mdi]

In my opinion/limited experience,when a load manual from Speer, Hornady, etc. give loads for a lead bullet, it's usually for their swaged lead (very soft) bullets. For cast lead data I've always looked to Lyman, either their 49th Edition or their Cast Bullet Handbook...