New to me Ruger BH .357mag

[DeadWoodDan]

Picked this up yesterday :drinks:
Have been on the look out for something in .357 w. 6" barrel. Got lucky its even a 3 screw. Have been doing a little reading up on this model to get familiar with. One person said to never send it back to Ruger or they will modify the trigger so its "safe". Don't plan on ever carrying but will remind all who handles on why the "new model" came out.

Now on the hunt to find out what mold to look for? I plan on shooting alot of .38sp. loads at first but have aquired a hand full of .357 brass to try.

DWD

[nicholst55]

Looks nice! If you ever have to return it to Ruger, they will replace the hammer, trigger, and pawl with a modified transfer bar system. Supposedly, they are very good about returning the original parts, but some folks remove those parts before sending the gun in just to be safe.

Some custom gunsmiths will not work on an unmodified 3-screw Ruger for liability reasons. I think that's a bit excessive personally, but that's just me.

[fivegunner]

Hi, You picked a very nice Ruger, mine likes any bullet sized to .358. enjoy your new handgun. and never sell it!!! [smilie=w::bigsmyl2:

[Sasquatch-1]

I have a new model Bi-centenial 357/9mm convertible. I found that I did have to replace the base pin with a locking pin from Belt Mountain. Also had to do this with my SBH. Just a heads up in case you find the pin backing out while shooting. Have not had any other problems. Enjoy.

BTW, I also use a basic Lee mold for the 357. I can't remember the model number but it throws about a 158 grn bullet.

[bob208]

ruger used to send the old parts back. they don't anymore. as far as a gunsmith not wanting to work on a unmidified one he is not a gunsmith . you are not going to shoot your foot off if you learn to carry it loaded with 5 hammer down on the empty chamber. or if you really think you need 6 you put the hammer down between the heasof 2 cartrages.

[bob208]

my old models all seam to like the 358429 in 38 spl cases loaded with 3.6 gr red dot. for a light load and the same bullet over 13 gr. 2400 for a heavy load. sized to .358.

[Beerd]

this might be a good one to consider

http://castboolits.gunloads.com/showthread.php?t=138261

[Sasquatch-1]

same bullet over 23 gr. 2400 for a heavy load. sized to .358.

This has to be a mistake. I only loaded 21 grns of 2400 for a hot 44 load

[Bwana]

This has to be a mistake. I only loaded 21 grns of 2400 for a hot 44 load

Don't you just love the internet? This is why people, new and old, need to realize that they, and only they, are responsible for the safety of their loads. Don't be blaming someone else, or some load book, because you didn't do your due diligence.

[bob208]

yes it was a mistake. i went back and did the edit to make it right.

[Sasquatch-1]

yes it was a mistake. i went back and did the edit to make it right.

OK, The 13 Grns does sound better. That still sounds pretty hot for a .38. Been a while since I loaded 2400. I think I was loading 10 or 11.

I actually bought my BH Convertible because I had some rounds that I thought I had loaded a bit hot for the S & W Mod 60 I had at the time.

[BadDaditood]

Lyman 358156 GC kinda sexy imho

stunning accuracy filled with 2400 btw

copied this from Lyman tonite: **Ray Thompson's design. Two crimp grooves, 1st for 357 Mag, 2nd for 38 Special.**

i've been filling all the lube grooves and crimping in the last one for 20 yrs.... didn't know there was 2 crimp grooves... oops

well, ya learn sumpin' everyday... and that's mine today... thank you good nite :)

[gandydancer]

BOB208 Howdy. you put the hammer down between the heasof 2 cartrages.. I can't get any of my Ruger's to do that. GD

[David LaPell]

The first handgun I ever owned was an Old Model .357 with a 4 5/8 inch barrel. Then I had a .44 Flat top 50th Anniversary, a pair of OM .41 Magnums and a 1958 vintage Flat Top .357 4 5/8 inch barrel. Every one of them was as tough of a gun that you can get, they all like cast bullets but my favorites were the .357's. They all handled the best and shot the best without a doubt.

[Larry Gibson]

Lyman 358156 GC kinda sexy imho

stunning accuracy filled with 2400 btw

copied this from Lyman tonite: **Ray Thompson's design. Two crimp grooves, 1st for 357 Mag, 2nd for 38 Special.**

i've been filling all the lube grooves and crimping in the last one for 20 yrs.... didn't know there was 2 crimp grooves... oops

well, ya learn sumpin' everyday... and that's mine today... thank you good nite :)

I've been shooting that 358156 bullet for 40 years in .38 SPLs and .357s including out of a couple OMBHs and NMBHs. It's my favorite all around .357 bullet. Cast soft and GC'd it will give excellent expansion at .38 +P up through 1400+ fps magnum velocities, especially if HP'd with a Forster HP tool. Cast of WWs +2% tin it always has proven to be the most accurate cast bullet at magnum velocities and even performs extremely well at 1850 fps out of my 35 Rem rifle.:-D

The 358156 is an excellent cast bullet and I consider it a "must have" for the .357 Magnum. However, it is a GC'd bullet and even though it can be used sans the Gc it really doesn't give best results in that role. Having a 358477 will add much versatility to your loads as it is a time proven excellent 150 gr SWC for low end 38 SPL factory duplication loads to magnum loads when cast of WWs + 2% tin. It has been my favorite 38 SPL cast bullet for the same 40 years.:-D

The last couple years I have been using a Lee 6 cavity TL358-158-SWC for my standard 38 SPL loads. I generally cast them of scrap alloy odds 'n ends that collect around the casting area. I do size and lube with BAC at .358 in a 450 lubrasizer though. (nothing wrong with TL in LLA and sizing in a Lee sizer) Those loaded over 4 gr of Bullseye have become my "standard" factory 38 SPL duplication load. They shoot very well in my M15 38 SPL and M19 .357 Mag, my Ruger SS and my Contender. The Lee doesn't shoot any better or worse than the 358477 but with the 6 cavity vs a 2 cavity.................:-D

Other similar designs works just as well but those are the ones I've used with success in every .38 SPL or .357 Magnum I've shot them in in 40 years of use.:castmine:

Larry Gibson

[nicholst55]

as far as a gunsmith not wanting to work on a unmidified one he is not a gunsmith.

I'll let you argue with Hamilton; from Bowen Classic Arms, Terms: The Fine Print:

"Bowen Classic Arms heartily endorses the standing offer of Sturm, Ruger and Co., Inc. to retrofit a transfer-bar safety system to their ‘Old Model’, three-screw revolvers. The service is performed in the Ruger service department free of charge. The gun is not permanently modified and all of the original parts are returned. For more information, please contact your local dealer or Sturm, Ruger and Co. Old Model revolvers fitted at the factory with the transfer bar safety kit are marked with an ‘R’ underneath the grip frame on the receiver. Often, these guns are refitted with original parts. We will not work on them unless a safety kit is reinstalled."

Emphasis supplied.

So I guess what he's actually saying is that once a safety kit has been installed, he won't work on the gun if it's removed.

[Slam'n Salmon]

Kind of a moot point. At least for me. My 3 screw are not modified and any donor gun would be a new model.

[MtGun44]

GCs are not necessary in any pistol. Good designs with good lube and proper fit will
be accurate and not lead. Also super hard alloy not needed either.

http://castboolits.gunloads.com/picture.php?albumid=161&pictureid=929

http://castboolits.gunloads.com/picture.php?albumid=161&pictureid=926

http://castboolits.gunloads.com/picture.php?albumid=161&pictureid=925

Bill

[9.3X62AL]

I like the gas check in place on #358156 when I send it downrange at 1500 FPS+ from the Bisley Blackhawk. Don't even ask for the data, I won't share it. The load is ACCURATE+, however.

I use #358156 to load duty-load duplicators for my 686 x 4". Seated into the top crimp groove atop 13.5 grain of 2400 and sparked off by CCI-500s in W-W cases, these match the 1250 FPS of the factory 158 JHP W-W load and hit to same point-of-aim.

[chris12]

My blackhawk likes the Lee c358-158-swc. 3.0 gr bullseye in .38 cases, or 14 gr 2400 with winchester mag primers in .357cases for about 1450fps. The .357 boolits get gas checks and sized to .358, the .38's just get left as cast. they both get tumble lubed.