load for .357 mag

[colt 357]

I just got a Taurus M66 7 shot .357 mag with 4" barrel. Now I want to start loading some pllinking rounds for the range. I have a Lee 356 125 TC mold for 9mm that drops at .358. I slugged the bore and it looks like they well work in my .357. I want to reload some using unique. I researched some loads and looks like the load range for this well be 6.0 min to 9.0 max. I am planning on a starting load of 6.5 grains of unique under a 125 grain cast bullet using range scrap and working up form there.
I just wanted to double check this with you guys before I load these and pull the trigger. does this sound like a good starting point?

[Tim357]

Yep sure is

[ku4hx]

Lyman's manual (3rd Edition Pistol and Revolver) shows a Unique starting charge of 7.2 grains for the Lyman #356402 in 357 Magnum. That Lyman boolit is about as close to the Lee 356 125TC as you're going to find. This is in .357 Magnum cases with non magnum primers.

Lyman's #358093 TC boolit does show a starting charge of 6 grains Unique but that boolit is a GC design.

I've approximated many boolits with great success over the years, but since the Lyman and Lee boolits are so close, I'd stick with published data for it as a starting load.

If you want really soft shooting loads, go to .38 Special cases and you can safely load some pretty light charges of Unique.

[runfiverun]

6.5 is fine to start with.

[mdi]

Good thinking, but what's wrong with 6.0 grains, the suggested starting load? As for bullet fit, measure the cylinder throats of your Taurus. Bullets should be the same size as the throats or slightly larger (.001") for clean, lead free shoting (my Taurus has 358" throats so I size my lead bullets .358").

[colt 357]

Good thinking, but what's wrong with 6.0 grains, the suggested starting load? As for bullet fit, measure the cylinder throats of your Taurus and. Bullets should be the same size as the throats or slightly larger (.001") for clean, lead free shoting (my Taurus has 358" throats so I size my lead bullets .358").

Nothing wrong with 6.0 grain just got a gut feelin about 6.5 for start. I measured the throat looks to be .358.

[colt 357]

Lyman's manual (3rd Edition Pistol and Revolver) shows a Unique starting charge of 7.2 grains for the Lyman #356402 in 357 Magnum. That Lyman boolit is about as close to the Lee 356 125TC as you're going to find. This is in .357 Magnum cases with non magnum primers.

Lyman's #358093 TC boolit does show a starting charge of 6 grains Unique but that boolit is a GC design.

I've approximated many boolits with great success over the years, but since the Lyman and Lee boolits are so close, I'd stick with published data for it as a starting load.

If you want really soft shooting loads, go to .38 Special cases and you can safely load some pretty light charges of Unique.

Got some .38 cases that I do want to do this but only found one load so far for this. 4.5 grains under a 125 grain cast boolit. does this sound right.

[ku4hx]

Got some .38 cases that I do want to do this but only found one load so far for this. 4.5 grains under a 125 grain cast boolit. does this sound right.

The same Lyman manual shows for Unique in 38 Special loading of a 120 grain plain base cast boolit 4.0 Starting and 5.7 Max. I'd say 4.5 gains as your asking would be a mid-range laod.

Do you have any loading manuals? If you don't, you'd be well served by buying the Lyman Cast Bullet Manual. There are others and they all have an enormous amount of data other than loads, but the cast bullet one by Lyman is a go to resource for many of us.

38 Specials in 357 Magnum guns are a great plinking loads at the very least. Just don't be tempted to load 38 Special cases to near 357 Magnum levels. You never know who might shoot your loads and some 38 Special guns just won't handle that kind of heavy loads very well at all.

[runfiverun]

4.5-5 is usually pretty good in the 38 both loads you have asked about work well with 158's also.

[colt 357]

The same Lyman manual shows for Unique in 38 Special loading of a 120 grain plain base cast boolit 4.0 Starting and 5.7 Max. I'd say 4.5 gains as your asking would be a mid-range laod.

Do you have any loading manuals? If you don't, you'd be well served by buying the Lyman Cast Bullet Manual. There are others and they all have an enormous amount of data other than loads, but the cast bullet one by Lyman is a go to resource for many of us.

38 Specials in 357 Magnum guns are a great plinking loads at the very least. Just don't be tempted to load 38 Special cases to near 357 Magnum levels. You never know who might shoot your loads and some 38 Special guns just won't handle that kind of heavy loads very well at all.

No I dont have a manual yet that covers cast only copper jacket and very little cast. We only got one gun store here in town and the manual they got is worthless when it come to cast . I have to find that lyman on line and get it. I always found this site to answer more of my question then manuals. They either dont have the bullet or the podwer that I want to shoot so it to the internet to find what I need. Which books would cover mostly cast boolits.

[captaint]

Get that Lyman Cast Bullet Manual and the Lee Loading manual also has a lot of cast data too. enjoy Mike

[trapper9260]

I just got a Taurus M66 7 shot .357 mag with 4" barrel. Now I want to start loading some pllinking rounds for the range. I have a Lee 356 125 TC mold for 9mm that drops at .358. I slugged the bore and it looks like they well work in my .357. I want to reload some using unique. I researched some loads and looks like the load range for this well be 6.0 min to 9.0 max. I am planning on a starting load of 6.5 grains of unique under a 125 grain cast bullet using range scrap and working up form there.
I just wanted to double check this with you guys before I load these and pull the trigger. does this sound like a good starting point?

I just want to let you know that make sure you check the bullets that you cast are the right dia for your 38 or 357 because of the alloy you are usen sometime the bullet is alittle small for the ones you want to use it for but good for 9mm. I found that out for the molds I have for both 9mm and 38,357 . for what the mold is to say the weight and the alloy you use is different . and will also fill the mold different also so check you bullet size first before sizen them . It is also best to get a manual like is said also and the lyman is the main one and tells alot also for to start casting also . Hope this will help.

[colt 357]

I just want to let you know that make sure you check the bullets that you cast are the right dia for your 38 or 357 because of the alloy you are usen sometime the bullet is alittle small for the ones you want to use it for but good for 9mm. I found that out for the molds I have for both 9mm and 38,357 . for what the mold is to say the weight and the alloy you use is different . and will also fill the mold different also so check you bullet size first before sizen them . It is also best to get a manual like is said also and the lyman is the main one and tells alot also for to start casting also . Hope this will help.

I just had to have it I just order a new Lee 358 158 RF mold just before coming here to check my post on this. Now when it comes in the mail and the wife question why I needed the new mold I can blame you. right? That my story and I am sticking to it:lol:

[Cherokee]

You should find the Lee 358158RF to be a good bullet. Casts @ .360 for from wheel weights and sizes nicely to 358 for my magnums. I tired the 356125TC and it did not shoot near as good at the 158RF bullet.

[zxcvbob]

Try that 158RF with 8.0 grains of Herco (max load)

[leadshooter5]

Modest loads from 38spl cases tend to leave a lot of crud in the 357 mag cylinder because of the 1/10" gap. My plinking load is 4gr of W231 and the L358477.

[youngda9]

I run 9.2 grains of Unique for 1450 fps out of my 4" 686. This is with the lee 125gr 358125 flat round nose design...not sure of exact # now.

[10mmShooter]

I run 4.8g of WW231 behind a 158 LSWC in .38 brass for 975fps(warm .38 load) seated at 1.450in

or 7.5 g of AA#5 behind a 158 LSWC in .357 brass for 1050 fps seated at 1.590 in

All velocities over my Chrony out of a 686 8 3/8in barrell @ 80 degrees F.

disclaimer....use all loading recommendations at your on risk it is your responsibility to be familiar with your components and equipment.

[Wally]

Hard to beat a Lee 140 SWC (90318) with 6.0 of Red Dot or 7.5 of Unique..shoots like a WC and very accurate.