.357 Rossi

[beefyz]

Hi all, looking for some guiding info on this beast. Toughest thing to reload for. Unfortunately, just became aware that its slow twist 1/30, may be part of the problem. I'm avoiding jacketed or gas checks, FOR NOW, since only targeting will be done with this rifle. For the most part using 158 RNFPs PBs BHN 12. Trying most of the suggested powders varying between 4-7 grs. Feels like i'm shooting a .22. I'm just not finding that sweet spot. "Light loads" 1100-1200 fps don't seem to work, and i'm assuming anything over 1400 or so would require a check. Is there a sweet spot or should i just go to GCs? ? Any of you's out there own one of these PsITA with any success ? I'm about to order some 158s RN/RNFP w/GCs ( mine doesn't seem to like LSWCs either) to see if that will help. Thanks for any help......

[FullTang]

I have one of these M92s, and I understand your frustration. Rossi is apparently catering to the cowboy action shooters, who exclusively use the lightest possible bullets (i.e. 105 gr or less) so as to avoid any semblance of recoil. 158 gr projectiles are marginal in these rifles, while 125s shoot great. 140s aren't bad, either, so just go with the lighter bullets and you'll be fine. 180 gr bullets don't work at all, so don't even think about it.

[onelight]

My most accurate light load with my Rossi 92 at this point is 3.8 to 4 grains of Red Dot under a .358 130 rnfp in 38 cases , have only shot it at 25 yards but it will shoot 3/4 inch groups at 25 yards with a tang sight. And yup it does feel like a 22 but it is fun.

[marlin39a]

I load the Lee 358-125 RNFP, in 357 brass, HP-38. Runs great.

[mr surveyor]

In my used R92 - .357 mag that I traded for in 2015, I've probably put at least 2500 rounds through it (all reloads, not a single factory round). There's been at least a dozen different bullets/profiles. I found out early on to concentrate on the loads that run between 1450 and 1700 fps using magnum powders, staying well below the :suggested: max loads, and using boolits/bullets in the 145 to 165 gr weight ranges. Never had an issue with 158 gr SWC's, but did have problems trying to cycle 180 gr boolits loaded in .357 brass. I know I could "customize" the cuts in the carriers and possibly make it work, but spare parts for replacement just don't seem to be an option if necessary. So the 180's were loaded in 38 spl brass (with slightly reduced powder load) to fit the necessary coal.

But, lately, I've been extremely happy to play with both the 145 gr and 165 gr boolits from GT which are hollow point, bevel based profile. They get an additional tumble lube with Lee liquid alox/mineral spirits (every cast bullet I use - both local cast and pre-lubed commercial cast get extra tumble lubed). Very accurate loads with either AA#9 or A-2400 with velocities between 1650-1700 fps, and no lead issues in the Rossi.

I really haven't found an accurate combination using .357 brass that will run below 1400 fps in my 1:30 twist Rossi.

Shooting cast boolits in lever guns is addicting.


jd

[onelight]

I found a pic of a 25 yard group of 4 grains of red dot and the 130rnfp from the Rossi
The top group is mine the lower group from a buddy that had never shot with a tang sight before at 25 yards it will shoot groups like these any time I have had it to the range.
Top Orange dot Is 11/2 " bottom 1"

[trapper9260]

For my what ever I shoot in it that I shoot in the BH with out any problems , I shoot up to 200grs. I use GC and PB in my beside jacket .

[winelover]

Twelve to twelve and a half grains of 2400 in magnum cases, is the sweet spot in my .357 Rossi carbine, with Accurate Moulds 158 RNFP.

NOE's 180 RNFP prefers maximum charges of H-110 in magnum cases.


Winelover

[farmbif]

my old pre safety Rossi shoots best with 358156 lubed and checked pushed real fast, 14.5 gr 4227, 9.5 gr hs6, or 125 gr special loads, the 358156 also chambers 357 rounds no problem whereas it does not want to chamber some jacketed 158's

[2wheelDuke]

Mine mostly gets 158gr SWCs. I've been powder coating mine for years now. It does feel a bit like a pellet gun with 6 grains of Unique behind it. That 20" octagon really has some weight to it. I say it's like a shooting gallery gun. I shoot steel most of the time so I don't know about groups, but it's plenty accurate for me at 50 yards offhand.

[rintinglen]

my old pre safety Rossi shoots best with 358156 lubed and checked pushed real fast, 14.5 gr 4227, 9.5 gr hs6, or 125 gr special loads, the 358156 also chambers 357 rounds no problem whereas it does not want to chamber some jacketed 158's

That' exactly what mine likes. A 358-156 or its RCBS GC clone and 15.7 grains of H110 or 14.5 grains of 2400 shoots very well --with gas check. i have not had good luck with plain base boolits. the 357-446 in particular was a bust. Patterns, not groups were the result. The RNFP 158 grain shoots ok, but Mine is only a two cavity and therefore gets less use.

Mine is pretty finicky about OAL. Too Long or too short and it doesn't want to play. 1.55 -- 1.590 inches seems to be the sweet spot.

[gon2shoot]

158gr RNFP 12.5 of 2400 shoots better than I can see.

[saturn]

Lee 125gr RNFP, 4.5gr W231 in 38 cases. Mild and accurate in old Rossi.

[beefyz]

Thanks to all for comments. I see most of you, like me, have had much experimentation with this rifle to find something that works, so i don't feel too bad about my efforts. Thats suppossed to be the fun of reloading, right? Forget to mention that i was shooting only 158s at 50yds & I single load using the iron sights, and yes, at my age this might also give me some problems, but it got worse ONLY with this rifle, hence all the questions. I shoot fine w/open sights using the John C, carbine, dirty-30, 32-20, & 25-35.
I was quite surprised by some of you with success in using the lightweight 125,130, 140s etc. Few yrs back in surfing this column I remember one fellow mentioned "lighter boolits DO NOT grp well in his Rossi (?). So from that time i simply avoided the lighter boolits. Same fellow rec 180s >1,700 so i assumed that meant GCs, which i wasn't considering at the time. Full Tang above doesn't rec 180s at all, but i will experiment with the lighter offerings. Ironically had some 180s at one point and got the beginning of a grping but didn't pursue it as i was intent on staying with the numerous options in 158s. In addition, some of you are using GCs; i'm open to that, as i would like to feel i'm not shooting a .22 all the time. I'd like to try 4227 & 4756 ; around 13.8/14.3 w/158RN in .357, still researching w/4756. Or 2400 @ 13.5 w/158RN using wsp and then some 180s 11.5-12.3 again w/wsp. Anyone try theses combos? Ringtinglen..."i have not had good luck with plain base boolits. Patterns, not groups were the result". hahahah , are we related ? "I really haven't found an accurate combination using .357 brass that will run below 1400 fps in my 1:30 twist Rossi"; I guess this statement best sums it up for me. Thanks again, I will continue to experiment, heeding your advices, and will get back with the results ....

[onelight]

I have shot some of the Lee GC 158 Sized .358 mine come out 168 grains ready to load over 300-mp these would group under an inch With a tang sight at 25yards for what that is worth . I need to go to a place where I can shoot at longer Range. From the reports I have seen the lighter bullets work better for most people in light loads , the heavier the bullet the faster you have to shoot it to get it to stabilize at long range With the slow twist. But all load work for me has been at 25 yards so I don't have the longer range experience with the Rossi many here have.

[AlaskaMike]

I've had very good luck with my 20" Rossi 92. It takes all my .38 and .357 mag loads with no issues, and all are pretty accurate inside of 100 yards. Certainly not sub-MOA, but I don't expect that.

The three bullet types I use are:

Lasercast 125 gr TC
RCBS 38-150-SWC
MP 358 Hammer (170 gr solid)

I've also tried sizing both .358 and .360 to see if it liked one better than the other, but it doesn't seem to make a difference at 100 yards.

[KCcactus]

With loads in the 1100-1200 fps range, your problem may be the boolits getting unstab le as they drop below the speed of sound. I have Rossi 92s in both 357 and 44. Light loads worked fine until I started doing a silhouette competition with targets out to 100 yds. I did fine out to 75, but there was no telling where they would go at 100. I reduced the powder charge until they were starting out subsonic and it works much better at 100.

My 357 likes the lee 125 rf. I recently got a MP 130 gr swc mold intended for 9mm that seems to work even better. My heaviest 357 mold is 150 gr.

[mr surveyor]

With loads in the 1100-1200 fps range, your problem may be the boolits getting unstab le as they drop below the speed of sound. I have Rossi 92s in both 357 and 44. Light loads worked fine until I started doing a silhouette competition with targets out to 100 yds. I did fine out to 75, but there was no telling where they would go at 100. I reduced the powder charge until they were starting out subsonic and it works much better at 100.

My 357 likes the lee 125 rf. I recently got a MP 130 gr swc mold intended for 9mm that seems to work even better. My heaviest 357 mold is 150 gr.

Thanks for that reminder concerning the transition from super-sonic to sub-sonic.

jd

[MT Gianni]

I have two, one likes the 358156 in 38 cases pushed wit 2400 ala Skeeter Skelton. The other does well with the NOE 160 wfn and slow powders pushing fast. Both like 125 gr lee and 4-5 gr fast powder. I would have sold them both long ago if I were to depend on the factory sights.

[Texas by God]

My last Rossi shot the Lee 358150SWC very well loaded with Unique in .38 Special cases. Velocity was 1200 fps average and I got several Copenhagen can size 3 shot groups @ 100 yards. It didnt like .357 ammo function wise. I've had 4 Rossis and when I found the load they liked, they were quite accurate.

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