357 Cast/Load recommendation

[oscarflytyer]

357 Cast/Load recommendation

New to cast bullets and new to the 357 Mag.

Pls recommend (a) 357 molds (I pref heavier - nothing less than 158 grn SWC) and accompanying powder loads for a 357. I am shooting an older Taurus 357 4" revolver and casting my own.

Not looking for a low end 357 load, but also not looking for car killing load. Somewhere in between that I can cast/load/shoot and also if a deer or miscreant comes along, I am set there too! Thanx

[HeavyMetal]

I realize you'd like info on a slightly heavier boolit BUT I have always felt that optimum boolit weight for the 357 is 150 grains.

The RCBS 38-150 SWC is the best all around boolit for the 357 revolver. Load this on trimed case's, seat to the crimp groove with a medium crimp over 14 grains WW296 and you have the load you descibe to a T!

Can't get any easier than that!

[zxcvbob]

158 grain boolits with 8 grains of Herco or 11 grains of AA#7.

I also like 148 grain double-ended wadcutters with 7.0 grains of WSF.

Lee's 158 grain RF mold is a great one, but so far I've only cast soft lead in mine for .38 Specials.

[Snapping Twig]

Lyman #358429 throws a 170g SWC using WW.

14.5g of W296 moves 'em along nice.


Lyman #358160 throws a 160g GCSWC w/WW.

Try 14g of 2400.

[BOOM BOOM]

HI,
HAVING SHOT 1000'S OF 137GR., 148GR WC, 158 GR, 160 GR. CAST.
I moved to the 180gr. cast swc .
Don't think I will change from it.
Start with unique or 2400. Plenty of safe load info in manuals.

[Landric]

I like the 358429 and I'm really looking forward to trying out our soon to be produced 200 grain SWC group buy mould. My preference for .357 Magnum is 2400, depending on the boolit used the charge weight for a nicely powerful but not excessive load is in the 13-15 grain range. YMMV.

Here is the 200 grain SWC group buy (shameless plug):

http://castboolits.gunloads.com/showthread.php?t=61896

[Ferdinand]

I started casting less than a year ago. My first mould was a gift and it's a 158 gr with GC. I bought a 148 grain DEWC mould later. So far I haven't perfected my casting - haven't matched the performance that I got from My favorite commercially cast bullets, but I'm working on it.

[pmeisel]

Boom, I have been a 158 grain guy for years, but have been thinking about the 180 and just bought a few.

Tell me why you like it better and give me some good powder ideas. Only load I have so far is for 4227...

For the OP -- favorite 158 grain load is 12.5 of 2400, you can go hotter, but this is my "shoot most of the afternoon" load.

[bhn22]

I have pretty much switched to 180 gr too. For what you're asking, I'd suggest 13- 13.5 grains of 2400. Unique is a good bet too.

[9.3X62AL]

My go-to load in 357 Magnum is Lyman #358156 (SWC/GC @ 158 grains) run by 13.5 grains of Alliant 2400 and a standard small pistol primer. This is within current SAAMI pressure limitations, won't hurt older K-frame S&W 357s at all, and duplicates my carry load (W-W 158 JHP) in all respects. A fine multi-purpose loading for just about any 357 Magnum.