primers for 357mag
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243winxb
Member
Works for me, even in 38 special.
If using Remington, the 5 1/2 is the correct one for the 357 mag.
WestKentucky
Member
Always mag in 357 cases. The volume of the case just seems to be over the line to where normal primers can't create a clean burn. I have not loaded anything other than hbwc with a standard primer that burnt clean.
Wreck-n-Crew
Member
First of all if you've not worked up the load i would start there and with a magnum primer using data for a cast bullet since that's the bullet your using. That load you stated is over on Hodgdon but under in the Lyman 49th manual. Lyman 49th list the use of a Magnum primer and 8.8gr min and max at 9.7gr for both 155gr and 160gr cast (linotype hard) cast bullets. If your going to a range just work up several loads of 5 each from bottom to top. Remember to check for pressure signs as you go.
USSR
Member
For the life of me, I can't understand why Hodgdon would list a .357 Magnum load as Maximum, when the pressure listed is less than the SAAMI Maximum pressure level of a standard (not +P) .38 Special. Hard to take load data like that seriously.
Don
Don
Hodgdon uses a Mag primer in anything called magnum, regardless of the powder. They do si to keep everything constant. A powder like HP 38 does not need a Mag primer ro burn correctly but it keeps all the data uniform. HS 6 also does not "need" a mag primer but does burn better with one.
I'll have to disagree with you. While some powders/loads require mag primers in .357 brass, many do not. I have .357 loads from light to full power, with powders from WST to 2400, all with standard primers.
ArchAngelCD
Member.
As you can see, and I agree, while a magnum primers not required for HS-6 it does perform better and cleaner when a magnum primer is used. I use mostly CCI-550 primers with HS-6.
From what I have read it's not the pressure limiting the HS-6 powder charge under a lead bullet in the .357 Magnum, it's leading. They are concerned excessive leading will happen. I don't agree and I have been annoyed for a long time about that data, especially since the data from Lyman is much stouter.
I sent Hodgdon an email and asked them why all their data for the .357 Magnum was developed with a magnum primer and this is the reply. Since so many reloaders don't follow the data closely there are those who will use a magnum primer even if the powder doesn't require one just because it's a magnum cartridge. If they develop the data using a standard primer and a reloaded substitutes a magnum primer with a max powder charge it may cause an over pressure problem. (not a direct quote, just a paraphrase)
Wreck-n-Crew
Member
I agree they played it very safe with that particular
load. But Lyman does it too sometimes as well as others.
i use cci 500 (non-magnum) primers with bluedot powder in my 357 magnum loads. use whatever primer works best for you in your gun. there is nothing wrong with experimenting with different primers to tune up your handload. just back off the powder charge a bit when switching primers (or any other change).
murf
murf
Hondo 60
Member
That's one of the mysteries of reloading.
No two guns are alike, so what works in mine, may or may not be the same in yours.
The best answer is to try it yourself & see what YOUR gun likes.
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