Need some .357/38 Reloading Help; What velocities are okay for lead bullets?

[Ranger30-06]

Ranger, most revolver bullets have a cannelure that you will use for roll crimping so OAL can only vary slightly. Bullets for semi automatics without a cannelure are a different story.

Gotchya. I just didn't want to go .020 too far or something and double the pressure or something... If it's jacketed and has a crimp grove, should I just seat it till it's at the groove then?



Salmoneye: thanks a ton. That manual will be used quite a bit



Josh45: I think it's longer than that, because I've seen a couple loads that call for an OAL as high as 1.677. Correct me if I'm wrong, but doesn't the Ruger Blackhawk have a longer than necessary cylinder specifically to accommodate the use of heavier bullets? I don't have another .357 Mag gun to compare it to so I don't know.

 

[Certaindeaf]

Max pressure for the 357 mag used to be 46,000 cup. Now it's 35,000 psi..

So 35kpsi equals 46kcup?

 

[USSR]

So 35kpsi equals 46kcup?

Nope.

Don

 

[bfoosh006]

Not trying to move off topic, but for all the lead shooters in pistols, try some of the "coated" bullets.... I' won't ever go back... much less smoke , clean-up and mess.

http://www.google.com/search?q=Bayou+Bullets&rls=com.microsoft:en-us&ie=UTF-8&oe=UTF-8&startIndex=&startPage=1

And or
http://www.google.com/search?q=bearcreek+supply&rls=com.microsoft:en-us&ie=UTF-8&oe=UTF-8&startIndex=&startPage=1#hl=en&rls=com.microsoft:en-us&sa=X&ei=EbOUT6HFI4axiQLbyfn3Dw&ved=0CCAQBSgA&q=bear+creek+supply&spell=1&bav=on.2,or.r_gc.r_pw.,cf.osb&fp=27fff1a56866873a

 

[USSR]

I keep casting them, but they never seem to come out "coated".

Don

 

[4895]

+1 Bear Creek Supply Moly Coated lead

I load my 38 special with 4.2 grains of 231 and squash a 158 grain RNFP moly bullet in. No smoke to speak of, no lead in the air, no headache, easy clean up, great accuracy. $32/500

For the OP, I would start around 3.3 - 3.5 grains of 231 and seat the bullet at the crimp groove. Those loads will be very light and I would work up to 4.0 or so looking for pressure signs, odd noises, accceptable accuracy, etc. The light 38's really help my trigger control in DA pistols.

 

[A Pause for the Coz]

Good thread. I would have to disagree with some of the leading theories though.
You would have to work pretty hard to get leading out of any of the loads talked about.
Softer lead in the 12 bn range or so wont/ Shouldn't lead until you get in the 15/ 1600 fps range.
Actually a softer alloy should perform better because you will get a better seal than with a hard cast bullet.

After the 1500/1600 fps range then the harder alloys should start to seal better and the softer alloys will gas up from the heat/pressure.

I use gas checked bullets when going over 1000 fps just to be sure.

But I have shot 1000's of 12 bn .358 plain based bullets at 1300 fps out of my Rossi Crabine. Never had leading.

 

[Walkalong]

Leading posts.

http://www.thehighroad.org/showpost.php?p=6460505&postcount=11

http://www.thehighroad.org/showpost.php?p=6460508&postcount=12

http://www.thehighroad.org/showpost.php?p=6232577&postcount=7