Multi-ball loads for a .357?

[goon]

My M-28 is now on layaway.
.357mag was the first cartridge I ever loaded, so it will be like a reunion with an old friend.
But I would like to try loading some multi-ball loads for it, just for the hell of it. Anyone tired this or know anything about it. Would 000buck work, or would the pellets be too big?
What would work?

 

[50 Shooter]

There use to be a company that made loads that had three projectiles in them. It's been about 10 years or so since I've seen them. Maybe someone else remembers who made them and the name of the company.

The front projo was conical shaped and the two behind it were just flat. At close ranges 7-10 yards they stayed about 3-5" apart from each other.

 

[swifter]

Triple-ought will work fine.
Tom

 

[braindead0]

Theres another thread on this subject here: http://www.thehighroad.org/showthread.php?s=&threadid=20863&highlight=balls+light+loads

Now if I could just find some 000 buck..probably have to order it..ack.

 

[444]

I have two boxes of multi-ball loads for .357 on the shelf right now. It was made by some company back east, I think it was called something like Remington Arms.

The end of the box reads: .357 Magnum Multiball Load. Two 70 GR. OOO Buckshot. (140 GR. Payload). R357MB


Your source for buckshot is Hornady. They sell it in 5 pound boxes. I keep at least one box of 0, 00, and 000 on hand at all times. I use it for really light rifle loads, multiball loads and things such as that. The buckshot is pure lead and I have found that if you need a size that is slightly smaller than what the pellet is, just seat it anyway and the lead will conform to the space. If you need to drastically size it, buy a Lee sizing die. They are like $15 and just screw into your loading press.

 

[braindead0]

I suspect a bit of lee liquid alox might be helpful on these as well.. Thanks for the tip on Hornady, I usually look as the bags (and never seem to find 000 buck), I'll check the hornady bullet section.

 

[winwun]

How in the world do you keep a .30 or .32 caliber ball in the case ?

I haven't tried it, but I would think that there would be room for 2 .360 balls on top of 4 or 5 grains of BE and one could still crimp sufficiently to keep them secure.

Getting the right volume of charge might call for a "cornbread" load.

I am sure the weight of various ball sizes is in standard references. One probably wouldn't want to go over 200 grains total projectile(s) weight for the .357.

Since such loads would be for limited application, there would likely be little harm in pushing the specs a little, provided that your gun is in good shape.

 

[444]

Braindead, the Hornady buckshot comes in a red cardboard box with a white label similar to a bullet box, but larger. The boxes contain five pounds of shot. The OO is .330 diameter and the O is .320 diameter. I guess I lied, I don't have any OOO in stock.

I do lube the balls with Alox. I have a butter container which I use to lube the balls. Cover the bottom of the container with balls, squirt in some Alox and shake it around. Let dry on waxed paper.

I have also loaded multiple ball loads in the .444 Marlin. 3 .429 sized muzzleloader balls. I have also loaded 6 shot, with a ball on the end to contain the shot. Buck and ball.

I seat one ball, then use the next ball to push the first one further down into the case. I put the last ball so that the largest part of the ball is even with the case mouth and then crimp.

 

[chief]

If you want a slightly different approach, Lyman used to make a .38 wadcutter mold that threw 75 gr. shorty WC's. Two in a .38 special and three in a .357 mag. In the mag load one of the WC's had to be seated out a bit. These would print close together and when they hit about 2" apart the energy transfer was obvious.

 

[BigG]

The Power of a Round Ball:

Elmer Keith in "Sixguns" said the pure lead round ball fried out of the Colt Navy 36 made it a stopper all out of proportion to its size. Sounds like what you are doing here is a good idea that Elmer would agree with.

 

[Penforhire]

Look near the back of the Speer #13 manual. They have some shot-loading suggestions and neat-looking system. Disclaimer - no experience here.

 

[Big Daddy]

glocktalk.com

Search by user name MCNETT he has some posts of multi ball loads in 10mm, .38 Special, .357 Magnum, .45 Colt

Good data.

 

[444]

chief: Any idea where I could get that Lyman mould ? I have read about it several times and have actually searched some of the on-link gun auction sites.

 

[Paul "Fitz" Jones]

Round Ball Molds By Saeco

I have some Competition Quality 4 cavity with handles round ball molds in .320, .350, .360, .375, .424, .440, .445 & .451
Also 45 and 50 Caliber TC Maxiballs They are lifetime molds for BP shooters to cast up a bunch to bag and sell them at shoots, meets etc to help pay for his outfit and possibles. I made up a bunch at California saeco as there a bunch of BP guys that would set up at California and Nevada gun shows that wanted them.

They are pricey as with bullets the meehanite that never warps or wears out would be about $250 with handles today and I am selling the few I have remaining off at $99 + shipping

The above thread is interesting. the attachment is of a .360 size ball mold

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Retired California Saeco Sales rep