Figuring out a load

[Charlie Two Tracks]

I am now getting good boolits on my MP-359-640.[smilie=w:
Now I have to figure out my load for it. (at least to start). I have a load for a 16 BN 158 grain SWC (store bought) using 7 grains of Unique. It seems to work good. I was wondering if that is a good place to start or not. I also have some H110 and would like to get a descent hot load with it. I just don't know what to start at. My old Lyman Cast book has a load for a 158 gr. but it is using Linotype. I am using WW on these boolits.

[randyrat]

Is that for a 357 mag. If so your over 1200 ft/sec...Which is fine IF everything is perfect even with WWs or even softer. I would think your right at or close to max with that powder and bullet weight. Seems to me about 6.5 to 7 is max.
I would start at about 6 grs and work my way up and see if you don't find a sweet spot in there somewhere.

Everything is perfect= Good lube
=throats are the right size
= boolits are fat enough, Sized correct
= no barrel restrictions
= loaded/ seated/crimped correctly
If everything is good to go , i would not be concerned much about hardness

[lwknight]

The H-110 /W296 is only suitable for full house magnum loads.
You would just have to test it on the WW alloy boolits.
I'm betting that it might skid the rifling unless you harden them.
I have had good luck with paperpatched 44 mag fairly soft lead boolits with W296/H-110.

[Bass Ackward]

1. Pick a powder.
2. Start low and come up.

You will get crud until you seal. Once you seal, you will be good up until you lead. That is the working range for that pressure level, with that design, with that hardness / lube combination in THAT gun.

Then you simply interpolate that for other powders that you want to try and you are in business.

Best to pick powders close to others that you own to minimize the interpolation errors until you get good at it.

3. Pick the winner.

[dale2242]

I am using H100/296 in the 357 for my full house loads. I am using a home blended Lyman #2 alloy and I get no leading. Do not download H110/296. It is not recommended by the factory..dale

[462]

Charlie,
I use Lyman's starting load of W296 (same-same H110) along with the Lee 358-158 RF cast of 75%/25% clip-on/stick-on and don't get any leading. I've run the same alloy up to Lyman's maximum load, as a test, with the same results.

As mentioned, don't download H110/W296, and make sure to apply plenty of crimp.

[randyrat]

1. Pick a powder.
2. Start low and come up.

You will get crud until you seal. Once you seal, you will be good up until you lead. That is the working range for that pressure level, with that design, with that hardness / lube combination in THAT gun.

Then you simply interpolate that for other powders that you want to try and you are in business.

Best to pick powders close to others that you own to minimize the interpolation errors until you get good at it.

3. Pick the winner. You couldn't have said it any better or shorter.

[Dave B]

What bbl length? Rifle or pistol? Big difference.

[Charlie Two Tracks]

This will be for an SP-101 with a 3" barrel.