load for 158 grain 357 mag

[pdog]

I also need info for loading a 158 gr lead bullet in a 6 inch Ruger 357 mag. I have 500 Mid States brand cast bullets but not sure if they are hard enough for higher velocities for deer/coyotes. Any help greatly apprecitated!!!! Looking at Missouri Bullet company, they have good information on the hardness, I have no idea about Mid States hardness.

[selmerfan]

I have good luck in a Ruger NM BH 6" with 10 gr. of Blue Dot behind a 158 gr. Lee PB.

[NickSS]

I use 7 gr of Unique behind a 158 gr Lee RNF cast bullet in my Ruger blackhawk I have also used the same bullet cast from water quenched WW with 13.5 gr of W296.

[pdog]

If I am shooting hotter loads, do I need gas checks?

[smith52]

+1 for the 7.0gr Unique under 158gr bullet, I preferr a LSWC for target shooting and hunting though.

[Hurricane]

The max load Hodgdon listed for lead bullets was based on accuracy and leading potential instead of pressure. Look back at the table, max for lead has a pressure of 23,900 CUP and the jacketed bullet has a pressure of 40,000 CUP. From the point of safety, you can use any load safe for a jacketed bullet in you gun with a lead bullet. A lead bullet will have a lower pressure than a jacketed bullet with any given load because the lead bullet is easier to push through the barrel than a lead bullet. Somewhere around 1,300 - 1,400 fps you may have to change from plane base to GC, only experimentation will tell you when leading begins and accuracy falls off. The most important thing with a lead bullet is to have the diameter of the bullet larger than the barrel and as big as or a little bigger than the cylinder holes (even more important than the hardness of the bullet). For a gun that measures .357 use a bullet of .358 or .359. The lead bullet will be easily sized by the gun as lead, even hard lead, is very soft compared with steel. HP-38 is a fine powder for light and moderate loads but is not suitable for maximum 357 mag loads. Look at powders like Alliant 2400, Winchester 296, H 110, and Lit Gun if you want to reach velocities in the 1,500s. I personally think that a 158 grain lead bullet at 1,200 - 1,400 fps would be a fine hunting load.

[That'll Do]

I've had lots of luck with a 158gr SWC over 13.5gr of Alliant 2400 and either a regular or mag primer.

[pdog]

Thanks guys for the info, I'll try some out now

[Daxione]

I also use 2400, but I use 14.5 grs gas checked semi-wadcutter

[pdog]

I just went out today to try out 2400 for the first time. 158 Mid States cast bullet over 14.0 is 1404 fps, 14.5 is 1340 fps and 15.0 was 1490 fps in a 6 inch Ruger GP100. The 14.0 was the most accurate of the 3, other 2 started getting bigger. 14 at 40 yards was about 2 inch group, 14.5 was around 3/12 and 15 near 4 1/2 inch group.

[pdawg_shooter]

I also use 2400, but I use 14.5 grs gas checked semi-wadcutter

+1 on this load. Works great in every .357 I have ever owned.

[dale2242]

For velocities of 1000-1100 fps, try 5 gr Red Dot. For velocites of 1300-1400 fps try 15 gr 296. These loads are very accurate with noleading from my 6" GP100.....dale

[Shiloh]

There are oodles of loads for that boolit weight. My current choice Bullseye for velocities up to 850, Unique or AA# 5 up to 1050 or so, any faster Blue Dot or 2400. I'm a midrange kind of guy.

For the Keith 170 gr, 2400

SHiloh