Lee C358-158 Boolit Load

[newton]

I am looking to get some suggestions about some loads for this boolit in a 38 special and a 357 mag. I will be loading it for some friends, the 38 special will be in a S&W but not sure what model. I am pretty sure barrel length on it will be around 3" though. The 357 mag will be in a RBH 4 5/8".

I have Unique and Herco on hand for this. Just looking to see if there is anyone out there that has a special load they like for this. The 38 will just be used for plinking and such. The 357 mag may be used for hunting, but I am not looking to load real hot rounds for him or anything. But I am sure he does not want it to just poof out the barrel either.

Thanks for the help.

[rexherring]

I load from 3.5 to 4.5 of Unique in the .38 with 4 grs being my favorite load. The .357 I've loaded with Unique from 4.5 to 6 grs both with 5.5 being the one I like with the Lee 158.

[newton]

I load from 3.5 to 4.5 of Unique in the .38 with 4 grs being my favorite load. The .357 I've loaded with Unique from 4.5 to 6 grs both with 5.5 being the one I like with the Lee 158.

Thanks for the reply. Have any idea on the velocity with those loads? The 38 is not so much important, but with the 357 it would help to know for ballistic reasons. But in reality I am not too concerned with it.

[rexherring]

4 grs in the .38 gives me 800 fps aprox. in my 4 inch barrel, the 5.5 in the .357 is right about 1000 fps. 6.5 in the .357 will give you about 1200 with a 6 inch barrel.

[newton]

Thanks again, just the info I was looking for.

[Lonegun1894]

I use 3.0 grs Unique in plinking .38 SPLs, and load my .357s with 14.0grs 2400 for serious use and 7.0 grs of Unique for practice. My .357s are Rossi '92 rifles, Winchester '94 rifle, and Ruger handguns though, so I can't speak for how they perform in other brands of guns.

[MT Gianni]

Substitute 358156 and use any data for that boolit starting with the starting loads.

[GH1]

In my .38 I like 3.0 gr of Bullseye under 158's. The same bullet in my .357 gets 13.5 gr AA#9. The .357 load is good for 1775 FPS out of my levergun, can't say about the .38.
GH1

[John in WI]

I'm new to reloading the .38spl too. I found an impressive .38 (non- +P) using HS-6

They list 5.7gr/928 fps up to 6.3gr/1010 fps (pressure=16,200CUP)

Over 1000fps at non- +P pressures!
I loaded some at 6gr, but haven't shot them yet. I'll let you know how they work. I'm using the Lee 158gr LSWC

[FergusonTO35]

I prefer 5.7 grains of Accurate #5 in my .38 Special with that bullet. Out of my GP-100 with 4.2 inch barrel I'm getting 875 FPS across my chronograph and excellent accuracy. That is a standard pressure load according to the Accurate reloading manual. Beware of published velocities in the .38 Special, they tend to be very optimistic. Alliant flake powders tend to have very wide spreads in this round. Accurate #2 and #5 are the best I've found so far.

[TCLouis]

38 SPL brass, 6.1 grains (+P range) AA#5 and the 160 grain GB boolit is a shooter for me out of 357 Maggies

[StrawHat]

I have loaded this boolit since sometime in the 70s. For the Magnum revolver, I have always liked Skeeter Skeltons load. It is put up in Special cases so be careful which revolver you are using.

For the 38 Special revolver, I have used Bullseye, 2400, Unique and black powder and been pleased with all of them. There are newer powders available but I stick to the ones with which I am most familiar.

[rexherring]

I still love the Unique but have been loading more and more of the AA #5 too. Measures well and is cleaner too.

[paul h]

Unique has long been one of my favorite cast bullet powders in handguns and rifles, and as mentioned it works well with the 38 sp. and 357 mag.

But if you're looking to hunt with the 357 you might want to consider switching to 2400 and googling up Paco Kelley's write up regarding the 357 magnum in strong revolvers.

When the 357 is discussed in regards to hunting, it's usually a heated debate. My personal thoughts is the 357 should be loaded to the gills if it's going to be used for hunting, and is capable of pushing a 158 gr cast bullet 1500 fps, though in a 4 5/8" gun that will be 1400 and change. I've used Paco's 2400 loads in my 357 4 5/8" blackhawk and they have been safe in my gun with 160 and 200 gr cast bullets. Your mileage may very, so work up.

[facetious]

I have loaded this boolit since sometime in the 70s. For the Magnum revolver, I have always liked Skeeter Skeltons load. It is put up in Special cases so be careful which revolver you are using.

For the 38 Special revolver, I have used Bullseye, 2400, Unique and black powder and been pleased with all of them. There are newer powders available but I stick to the ones with which I am most familiar.

didn't skeeter use lyman 358-156. not lee358-158c ?

[Thumbcocker]

4.5 of red dot in .357 brass has done well for me.

[StrawHat]

didn't skeeter use lyman 358-156. not lee358-158c ?

Correct, I did not have the Lyman mold and substituted the Lee version. Same load, same accuracy, same caution about not using it in J or K framed 38 Specials.