Need .357 Mag load for Silhouette Match

[hylander]

Never loaded for the .357 yet, but tomorrow is the local match and I want to participate.
I will be loading 158gr.
I have 2400, HP-38, Win. 231 and Power Pistol

[357Mag]

Hylander -

Howdy !

What's the max range shot, at these matches ?


Regards,
357Mag

[hylander]

Hylander -

Howdy !

What's the max range shot, at these matches ?


Regards,
357Mag

50 yds.
Steel plates
I have a little Unique as well

[357Mag]

Hylander -

Howdy !
Well... seems I'm too late to give input before the match. I appologize.
May not be of much help, anywayz....

I recommend 14.5gr WW296 ( H110 ) and SP Mag primer, under a Lyman 357" calibre SWC of 158 - 172gr
( with perhaps more emphasis on the latter ).

This is not a max load for this combo, but it IS a "Magnum" load.

My steel-shootin experiencew w/ this load include:
- Busting the welds on local IPSC club's " power meter ", whereupon the metal plate fell off the swing arm ( S & W 5" M-27 )
- Shooting completely through a metal clanger across the card table from me, at a different local "shoot" ( M1894SC )
- Permanently denting the indoor range backstop's angled plates, at the ragne owned by the Allen County Indiana Sheriff Dept
( M-27, again ).

Perhaps there's some message, there !?!


With regards,
357Mag

[BCRider]

2400 works great for .357Mag. 14gns is a max load and shoots nicely with 158gn LSWC from my N frame S&W. These are a bit hard on the hand with my lighter K frame 19 or when shot from my Pietta SAA so I load down to 12 gns. That still keeps things moving along at around 1100 fps and hits hard.

Since you'll be doing a lot of shooting since it's a match I'd suggest sticking with the less than full power so you don't find your hand getting shocky. Even a minimum load at 10.6 gns sees a 158 moving along at around 980 fps which is well into .38Spl +P range.

[NSB]

I've shot a LOT of silhouette and steel plates and I've had a good deal of success at it. My favorite load with 160g cast bullets has been 4.5g of 231 and a standard small pistol primer. It's not a powerful load, it's just a very accurate one. It will knock over any silhouette target out to 100yds with ease. I strongly emphasize accuracy over power for target sports. It doesn't really matter how fast and how hard you miss.

[Bonz]

My goto load for 357 with 158gr boolit is 7.8gr PowerPistol with a small pistol primer

[hylander]

Thanks for the input.
Just so I had something to shoot I loaded up 6gr. of Unique
Was a little to stiff for just knocking over chickens at 50yds., was shooting way high with my
sights set at the lowest setting. For just throwing some powder in a case I managed to hit 2 chickens out of 10 shots.
I was shooting some commercial cast 158gr. SWC with a bevel base, after a total of 27 rounds fired it had a LOT of leading :shock:
Will get myself a flat base mold and a GC mold

[Lance Boyle]

I'm happy with my LSWC 158's with 3.2 grains of Bullseye for softballs or 5.5 grains of AA#5 for a little extra shove.

I'm using a Lyman 358446 mold which is a non GC flat base. My 141 wadcutter loads are more accurate though.

[hylander]

My goto load for 357 with 158gr boolit is 7.8gr PowerPistol with a small pistol primer

Is this a fairly stout load ?
I load 7.0 under a 230gr. for my .45ACP

[dragon813gt]

At that range any load of W231/HP-38 that's listed will work just fine. I typically load between 4 and 5 grains. I can't remember the exact amount that the PAD throws.

[hylander]

At that range any load of W231/HP-38 that's listed will work just fine. I typically load between 4 and 5 grains. I can't remember the exact amount that the PAD throws.

I think I will try the 231/HP38 as I have lots of it

[warf73]

Is this a fairly stout load ?
I load 7.0 under a 230gr. for my .45ACP

8.5grs is max for a 158gr "J" so 7.0gr is safe, you can't compare apples to water mellons.

[hylander]

8.5grs is max for a 158gr "J" so 7.0gr is safe, you can't compare apples to water mellons.

Thanks will try some Power Pistol.
Sorry wasn't trying to compair, was just stating that I used it in my .45acp and it works goods.

[dtknowles]

Thanks for the input.
Just so I had something to shoot I loaded up 6gr. of Unique
Was a little to stiff for just knocking over chickens at 50yds., was shooting way high with my
sights set at the lowest setting.

How come you only shot chickens

Tim

[hylander]

How come you only shot chickens

Tim

This match is shot with a .22 rifle, centerfire revolver and centerfire rifle.
.22 rifle: 50yds. rabbit size, 10 rounds
Pistol: 50 meters Chickens, 12 rounds
Rifle: 50 meters 8" plates, 100 meters Pigs, 150 Meters Turkeys, 300 Meters Rams, 10 rounds each
All shots off hand.
Funny thing, I did best at the 300yd Rams :shock:

I only fired a total of 27 rounds of the pistol loads including practice shots.
Got severe leading but it came out pretty easy, were talking chunks and slivers.
Nothing in the forcing cone, started about 1" up and ended about 1.5" from muzzle.