What Cartridge to Choose Based on Reloading

[CoalTrain49]

For me, if I'm going to shoot a revolver, 357 would be my choice. Lots of bullets, a wide range of powder can be used depending on the velocity you want and brass is common and plentiful in normal times. It's the first cartridge I loaded back in the 70's with a Lee hand press and a powder dipper. 45 Colt brass is more expensive and generally only CAS shooters use it. I've never seen it in the brass bucket at the range. 357 is used a lot by revolver shooters. It can be loaded to 38 spl. velocity if that's what you want. Probably the most versatile revolver cartridge in existence. A close second would be 44 mag.

If you want a pistol cartridge 45 ACP is hard to beat. Lots of brass around and many powders will work. The last time I looked there were about a dozen that performed well in the 45 ACP. I use powder that was marketed for shotgun loads. I came upon that after Jerry Miculek let it slip that he used it. I'm not going to go into details because he doesn't endorse it but lets just say lots of different powders work well.

.223/5.56 is the rifle cartridge that will be the least expensive to load. I have 3 rifles and they're all either .223 or 5.56 for that reason.

I'm looking into a lever rifle right now. 44 mag seems to be the most common straight wall cartridge but I'm not sold just yet. The 30-30 has my interest as there seems to be a million rifles out there and working up a light load has peaked my interest. It isn't a straight wall case but I've moved way beyond that in my reloading adventures.

 

[AJC1]

I pick 44 Mag. The reason I chose 44 over 38 special for enjoyment in reloading is because I'm just a little on edge when loading 38 special because of the chance of a double charge. I load 38 with 3.3 grains of Bullseye which is barely visible in the case.
I load 44 Mag with approx 20 grains of 2400 or AA #9. No chance of a double charge there.
I've loaded 1000's of both. I love my revolvers!

I respect your choice but your reason is highly suspect. Your choice of powders are basically the opposite extremes. If you loaded bullseye in 44 and 2400 in 357 would that change your choice????

 

[bluejay75]

I respect your choice but your reason is highly suspect. Your choice of powders are basically the opposite extremes. If you loaded bullseye in 44 and 2400 in 357 would that change your choice????

I share his sentiment. I think I have shot a double charge of HS6 from one of my 44 mag pistols. I’m not sure but it seemed like the case was glued to the cylinder. Makes me think twice when I reach for that powder now.

 

[horsemen61]

If one were to choose a cartridge with its primary purpose being entertainment and enjoyment in reloading, what would it be?

I’m leaning toward 45 Colt because it’s chambered in rifles and handguns and seems a little more of a reloader’s cartridge to get the most out of it. There are a wide range of bullet weights and it can use jacketed or cast bullets fairly easily.

41 Mag

 

[PWC]

If one were to choose a cartridge with its primary purpose being entertainment and enjoyment in reloading, what would it be?

I believe your premise/supposition is skewed....it's kinda like asking which came first; the chicken or the egg?

People reload to feed the hobby they already have. Granted, reloading is an enjoyable hobby in and unto itself. I know of no one who has outfitted themselves with the press, scale, powder measure, and accessories, then said "Now what firearm and dies do I want?"

Unless it is a business, reloading and shooting are codependent "illnesses".

 

[P Flados]

I have loaded lots of 38, 357, 357 max, 44 mag and 45 colt. A 4 to 6" revolver plus a carbine length break open in 357 mag will do a dandy job for a pair of guns that will give you rewarding shooting options as a reloader. You can go from exceedingly low cost pop gun loads (~3 gr of any fast powder under a 110 to 125 cast) in readily available range pick up brass to fine deer capable ammo.

You stated you are reloading for 30-30. So really it probably become a better choice for deer for any situations where a regular 357 mag in a rifle is less than desired. However, the above also give you a low cost "upgrade" option for the carbine with a chamber ream. Most ream to 357 max, but my recommendation is the 360 Dan Wesson (almost the power of the max, but better accuracy probability with 357 brass)..

 

[WVGunman]

WVGunman,

I get it, and I almost chose 44 mag for similar reasons. Plus, my Marlin 1894P and Blackhawk both love 44 mag.

But your post got-me-to thinking.

350 Legend (which uses 357 projectiles) is probably more versatile overall .... if you own a good rifle and BFR in 350 Legend.

Same could be said for 450 Bushmaster which uses any good .458 projectile and is more versatile provided you have a good rifle for it along with one of the new BFRs chambered for it.

And then there is 45-70, which also uses any good .458 (basically 45 ACP) projectile and is perhaps most versatile once again, provided you have a great rifle for it (like my Marlin 1895G) and an original BFR.

All three of those would apply by your metric, which I found interesting btw, with the exception of the overcharging issues mentioned in #3..

Those are all excellent rounds for reloading. .44 Magnum was originally a handgun round, so so putting it through a rifle is a bit of a compromise on performance. These rounds are a compromise in the other direction, all being intended as rifle rounds. If you mean the Magnum Research BFR, that's a bit pricey for me. My .44 Mag handgun is a Ruger Super Blackhawk I snagged off Gunbroker (back when there were actually good deals to be had) for just $425. That was for like-new, about 3 years ago.Good luck finding that now!
I agree that .45 Colt has most of the same advantages. I think .44 Mag being a more modern design intended for higher pressures, and just being a lot easier to find, gives it an edge though.

 

[WVGunman]

Unless it is a business, reloading and shooting are codependent "illnesses".

Why the quote marks? No need for subtlety among fellow sufferers!

 

[Targa]

If one were to choose a cartridge with its primary purpose being entertainment and enjoyment in reloading, what would it be?

I’m leaning toward 45 Colt because it’s chambered in rifles and handguns and seems a little more of a reloader’s cartridge to get the most out of it. There are a wide range of bullet weights and it can use jacketed or cast bullets fairly easily.

You are right on the money, I will also echo what others posted and add .44 mag. Either way, once geared up, it is very nice to plink with rounds that you couldn’t afford to plink with without reloading….well, I know I couldn’t afford to anyway.

WARNING!! Be very careful or you could end up going down the casting rabbit hole that I got sucked into if your not careful…

 

[AJC1]

You are right on the money, I will also echo what others posted and add .44 mag. Either way, once geared up, it is very nice to plink with rounds that you couldn’t afford to plink with without reloading….well, I know I couldn’t afford to anyway.

WARNING!! Be very careful or you could end up going down the casting rabbit hole that I got sucked into if your not careful…

Hay hay hay, I resemble that remark.

 

[Lee Q. Loader]

I respect your choice but your reason is highly suspect. Your choice of powders are basically the opposite extremes. If you loaded bullseye in 44 and 2400 in 357 would that change your choice????

I'm talking about loading for an older S&W .38 special. Bullseye is easily the best powder with a 158 SWC. Don't get me wrong I love loading for the 38 and simply gave the reason why I like the 44 mag a bit better.
I would NEVER consider Bullseye in 44 mag, I like to push a 240 JSP to about 1350 fps in my 5" revolver, 2400 or AA9 does this very well and with good accuracy.

 

[DMW1116]

That 2400 seems a versatile powder. I’m using it tinkering with 30-30. It’s nearly as common as Unique in my cast bullet manual.

I looked up the 30-30 Miniature and Short Range and related loads. I’m basically splitting the difference between the cast and jacketed bullet loads.

 

[AJC1]

That 2400 seems a versatile powder. I’m using it tinkering with 30-30. It’s nearly as common as Unique in my cast bullet manual.

I looked up the 30-30 Miniature and Short Range and related loads. I’m basically splitting the difference between the cast and jacketed bullet loads.

It has tons of listings so far I'm finding you need to be closer toward the top end with mag or rifle primers for a good burn and less powder all over.

 

[DMW1116]

It does seem a little Smokey/sooty. It’s one of the powders I think people keep around but may not use that often.

 

[black mamba]

Accurate #7 and Shooter's World Major Pistol are both excellent at giving slightly less than max loads without a lot of soot and unburned powder, and they do it with about 25-30% less powder than the slow burners.

 

[DMW1116]

In light of all this discussion, and choosing a cartridge in line with ones purpose, basically any can be tinkered and tweaked to have all sorts of interesting shooting sessions.

I’d like to try some of the SW powders. I got a little carried away in a bulk buy on line order and have more than enough for now though.

 

[Seedy Character]

"And then there is 45-70, which also uses any good .458 (basically 45 ACP) projectile and is perhaps most versatile once again, provided you have a great rifle for it (like my Marlin 1895G) and an original BFR."



Sorry, but WRONG

.45-70 uses .458 DIA. bullets
.45 Colt and .45 ACP use .451



Fun with .30-30. Load 13gr Trail Boss with a 115gr LRN Powder Coated bullet

Shoots like .22LR
Hits like a .257 Roberts
My 9yo grandson loves it
Deer within 100 yards hate it

 

[AJC1]

"And then there is 45-70,

Sorry, but WRONG

.45-70 uses .458 DIA. bullets

Hate to break it to you but this caliber has a very long history and that's a bold statement your making. One might suggest you slug the barrel and go .001 or 2 more.

 

[johnjohn]

I have to pick .38/.357 thats where I started when it was all I had and I still luv 'em.

 

[Seedy Character]

Hate to break it to you but this caliber has a very long history and that's a bold statement your making. One might suggest you slug the barrel and go .001 or 2 more.

".45-70, which also uses any good .458 (basically 45 ACP)"