150gr cast at .357 Magnum Loads

[6Glock]

Has anyone used 150gr/.357 cast at .357 Magnum loads. What powder/load/C.O.L. did you use? I bought the mold years ago with the thought of reloading .38 rounds. Over time I realized I'm not a revolver man. Bought a Compact Coonan .357 Magnum. Love the pistol. Figured since I have it, why not use it...

[AlaskaMike]

My most frequently shot .357 mag load is the RCBS 38-150-k, which is a 150 grain SWC, over 14.5 grains of 2400. I've also seen quite a few folks here loading the same, but with 13.5 grains of 2400 for a little less recoil.

I'm not sure of the COL, I just crimp in the crimp groove.

I'm not familiar with the Coonan though, and have no idea how well a SWC bullet will feed in it.

[Ed_Shot]

Here is data for the Lyman 358477 (150 gr) from the Lyman 48th Edition which is identical in the 49th Ed. and the 4th Ed. CB Handbook for 357 Mag:

[45DUDE]

I like that boolit. 12 grains of 2400 is my target load with 0 lead sized to .358 in my 19-3 S&W. I use a gas check boolit going faster. I hate leading and haven't dealt with it in a while. Trying to push a lead boolit past the limit isn't worth the trouble of cleaning.

[smokeater]

I am using the Lyman 358477 mold. My alloy produces a 152gr swc. Pure joy to cast and currently working up loads for it. Have used 13 -13.5grs of 2400 w/small pistol primer and 15 -16grs of H110 w/magnum small pistol primers with no leading issues. Have a LEE C358-158swc but crimp groove is so high COAL is only 1:539" when crimped in crimp groove so not using that mold and would not recommend. Loads used in Ruger GP100 4.2" barrel. The Lyman 358477 I crimp in crimp groove, that sets the COAL which if my calipers are correct is way above the 1:510" COAL used in Lyman Manual. Running off a bad memory but mine seem to end up around 1:550"- 1:560" COAL. I tend to load middle of the road loads as they seem to offer a good balance between velocity and accuracy. The 358477 was highly recommended by several on this forum when I asked about it and I am glad I listened and bought it.

[Alstep]

I have the RCBS version of that bullet. 38-150-SWC. It's a favorite in 38 & 357.
Cast 50/50 WW/Pb
Lube 50/50 Alox/beeswax
size .358
3.0 grains Bullseye in 38.
6.0 in 357 mag.

[stubshaft]

I like 17.0 of 296 behind a 358156 HP (147 grs.).

[fredj338]

My fav 357smag mold is the RCBS 150grK. I have run it with Mostly Unique & midrange but also full power with 2400 & H110. In the Coonan though, I think I would want a TC design.

[El Bibliotecario]

For years I used the Lyman 358156 bullet cast from linotype with 13.5 grains 2400. It shot just like a jacketed bullet. More recently I have used this bullet cast from wheelweights with 11.0 grains 2400 for similar performance. I would be confident using it with the 13.5 grain powder charge.

[Jack Stanley]

I'll give an "amen" for the use of 2400 , it does everything I want .

Jack