Terminal Performance of the Original .357 Magnum Load?

[.455_Hunter]

Does anybody have any information about the terminal performance of the original 158 gr. LSWC load for the .357 Magnum? I have heard that the plain versions leaded barrels pretty fast, but I have some Winchester Super-X loads coated with Lubaloy copper wash that seem like they would do much better in that regard. How is the swaged LSWC for penetration/expansion characteristics? Has anybody loaded them to original 1930’s ballistic levels and done any bullet testing?

Thanks for your input.

Hunter

 

[1557]

Havn't tested any of the old SWC loads but carried them often when I couldn't find jacketed soft points in the 70's in my duty gun. Doubt you'll get much expansion with them,but the SWC does normally cut a better hole.
As for the Winchester Lubaloys,they lead the barrel as bad as any of the rest of them at .357 velocities. They all did put people down though.
There wasn't much of a selection of hollowpoints then until Super Vel came along.

 

[Vern Humphrey]

My .357s leaded badly back in the '60s -- cleaning was always a chore. I don't remember any factory loads with expanding bullets, but I did load some hollowbase wadcutters backwards and they do work.

 

[1557]

Know what you mean about the wadcutters,Vern. I did that for myself and several others for our off duty/back up snubs. Fun,huh?
Younger shooters now have got it made(so do we) with the good selection of bullets available now. It was fun at the time tho.

 

[Vern Humphrey]

Know what you mean about the wadcutters,Vern. I did that for myself and several others for our off duty/back up snubs. Fun,huh?

It was great fun. I offered some of my screamers to a Viet Namese Air Force Lieutenant for his 2 1/2" Colt Python -- and suggested we go out on the berm and shoot our guns (me having a cheap a.38 snubbie someone had given me with some powder-puff loads.)

After he fired one round (and a ball of fire enveloped his hand and the front sight parted his hair) he traded guns with me -- straight up.

 

[1557]

Sounds like you know how to work a deal on a trade.

 

[Vern Humphrey]

Sounds like you know how to work a deal on a trade

The best part was when he begged me -- "You big man, have little gun. I little man, have big gun. I pilot. Maybe get shot down. Need little gun."

 

[Walkalong]

Awesome.

 

[Peter M. Eick]

I would not push the luballoy copper washed Winchester bullets and not expect serious leading.

I have pushed Lasercast up to over 1500 with older max charge of 2400 out of a 8 3/8 pre-27 with little or no leading. My impression is that they hit very hard on the berm and were quite impressive to shoot. Lots of flash and bang!