.357, 180 gr Keith- Load data

[Krag 1901]

I found in my stash several hundred 180 .357 boolets, but I have lost all the data for the loads for them. I probably loaded them in .357 Mag probably using 2400 and or H 110.

I checked all my manuals and Lyman load data but can not find any 180 gr data.

These are commercial cast using black lube. When I was in the bay area my go to boolet supplier used this black lube for all his handgun boolets and it worked fine for all the thousands of rounds I used in .38, .357 and .44 Mag.

I figure they are too long for .38 Spcl cases so will use then in .358 mag with my Python and ".357" Colt. I don't need barn burning full bore loads but would like to be pointed to data for these 180s.

[44MAG#1]

It is going to be fun to see the responses on this post.

[Mr_Flintstone]

Well, these aren’t Keith bullets, but it’s a starting point. My Complete Reloading Manual for .357 lists 11-12 gr 2400 for RCBS 180 gr bullets, and my Oregon Trails load manual lists 10.8-12 gr 2400. I thought I used to have a Handloader that had .357 Keith loads, but I couldn’t find it.

[dannyd]

Go to the Oregon Trail Bullets Web site and download their manual. They have load data for 180 gr. 357 magnum.

[lotech]

I've had an LBT 180 grain flat nose, plain base mould for .38/.357 for years. I found 12 grains #2400 to pretty much be a maximum load in .357, but your bullet may have a different shape, different bearing length, etc. I'd start well below 12 grs. I no longer load .357,but after decades of doing so, I've found 160 grain SWCs to be ideal, and anything over about 170 grains to be too heavy for decent velocity.

[Outpost75]

Larry Gibson's data:

The test firearm was a Contender with a 7.94” barrel. The pressure data and velocity was obtained via a strain gauge attached over the chamber connected to the Oehler M43 PBL. The M43 corrects the screen velocity to muzzle velocity and I posted muzzle velocity. Chronographing similar loads in a 6” barreled Ruger Security Six results in 150 – 200 fps less velocity out of the revolver, depending upon barrel-cylinder gap. Test results shown here are averages of 10 shots with Alliant #2400 powder fired in each test string;

36-168K (169 gr)
Load……Vel……..PSI
8.0……..923……20,100
9.0…….1065…..22,800
10.0…..1151…..24,600
11.0…..1291…..27,000
12.0…..1392…..28,900

36-175H (184 gr)
Load……Vel……..PSI
8.0……..948……22,500
9.0…….1094…..24,400
10.0.....1185…..25,500
11.0…..1298…...28,100
12.0…..1396……29,700

LMG

[Krag 1901]

Thanks guys. I think I'll use these up in my 8" Python Hunter. It has the weight to make the felt recoil acceptable. My 6" ".357" is probably a little light.

[chunkin lead]

I have been searching high and low for cast 357/170/180/2400 load data. Thank you.

[ddixie884]

Larry Gibson's data:

The test firearm was a Contender with a 7.94” barrel. The pressure data and velocity was obtained via a strain gauge attached over the chamber connected to the Oehler M43 PBL. The M43 corrects the screen velocity to muzzle velocity and I posted muzzle velocity. Chronographing similar loads in a 6” barreled Ruger Security Six results in 150 – 200 fps less velocity out of the revolver, depending upon barrel-cylinder gap. Test results shown here are averages of 10 shots with Alliant #2400 powder fired in each test string;

36-168K (169 gr)
Load……Vel……..PSI
8.0……..923……20,100
9.0…….1065…..22,800
10.0…..1151…..24,600
11.0…..1291…..27,000
12.0…..1392…..28,900

36-175H (184 gr)
Load……Vel……..PSI
8.0……..948……22,500
9.0…….1094…..24,400
10.0.....1185…..25,500
11.0…..1298…...28,100
12.0…..1396……29,700

LMG

You are a continuing wealth of data. Thanx...........

[cowboy4evr]

I have fired many rounds of the Keith 173 gr swc ( Lyman 358429 ) crimped in the crimp groove in 38 special brass in my N-frames model 28 . I tried Keiths load using 13.5 grs of 2400 powder . I found I had better accuracy using 12.0 grs of 2400 powder . I'm not saying his load wasn't accurate , just saying that for me , the lighter load was better . Regards Paul

[sniper]

I've had an LBT 180 grain flat nose, plain base mould for .38/.357 for years. I found 12 grains #2400 to pretty much be a maximum load in .357, but your bullet may have a different shape, different bearing length, etc. I'd start well below 12 grs. I no longer load .357,but after decades of doing so, I've found 160 grain SWCs to be ideal, and anything over about 170 grains to be too heavy for decent velocity.

Thanx for the information! I was wondering about the advantage of the 170-180 gr. boolits over 150-160gr. if any!