Lee C358-158-SWC what powder ?

[Tedly]

I've got a Lee C358-158-SWC and a bunch of GC to use. What powder and how much to obtain good accuracy from this boolit in either .38 Spec. or .357 Magnum cartridge ? I'm just starting to cast/load .357 and 38 Spec. and would like a combination that works. I was given a pound of Red Dot and the results are dissmal. Please advise...thanks...Tedly

[Lefty SRH]

I've had good luck with Universal Clays, 4.5gr for .38spl.

[jh45gun]

I would not put the blame on the red dot yet. Lots of other factors involved. Have you slugged the bore and sized the bullets accordingly. How hard of bullets are you using? I think a lot of folks use too hard of a bullet. I use straight WW for most all my casting and have no issues with bullets shooting well.

[357shooter]

FYI, there's a section of this forum where members list their favorite loads. You can probably find some good suggestions there: http://castboolits.gunloads.com/forumdisplay.php?f=45

[para45lda]

Personally I've always liked 2400 for heavier loads/boolits.

Used Clays for light/Cowboy loads. YMMV.

Wes

[462]

Lyman's Reloading Handbook, Cast Bullet Handbook, and Pistol and Revolver Handbook are the most comprehensive sources for cast boolits loads.

[luvtn]

13.5 grs 2400 under 158 gr swc is a sweet shooting load in .357 mag.
lt

[fecmech]

The "classics" 5 grs of Unique and 13.5/2400 are good places to start looking. Personally I like 296/H110 for my mag loads but there is nothing wrong with 2400 at the high end.

[swheeler]

LilGun, H110, 2400 will all give you accurate magnum loads if you have fit/sizing, alloy and lube right. If you want to shoot them in 38Spl cases I would try without the GC and Win 231

[Nobade]

I am using 10B101 with that boolit in my S&W revolvers with very good results.

[bobthenailer]

Ive been loading the 357 mag for 40 years and have shot many different cast bullets from 148 wadcutters to 158,180 & 200 gr bullets with some weights bullets several designes . I have found for a load @ 800 fps , 4.0 of BE is hard to beat loaded in 357 cases with any bullet weight, ive shot this load for many years in at least 10 different handguns and 1 rifle and it is super accurate in every gun ive tried it in 1 1/2 or better at 25 yards for at least 5 shots usually more shot from a bench with a ransom rest , red dot or a scope used for testing.