bedbugbilly
09-04-2014, 01:31 PM
I recently got a .357 Handi-Rifle (which I greatly enjoy). My main experience is in reloading 38 spl. and I usually use Bulls Eye. So far in the rifle, I've shot standard 38 spl reloads - SPP - 3.5 gr of BE with my cast 158 gr. RN from my Lyman 358311 mold. It shot pretty decent the first time out with that load but I know there is room for improvement (for me and my ability - I'm "old" what can I say?). ;-)
I've never fooled with .357 Mag. as I mainly do lighter 38 spl plinking/target loads. I've got some .357 brass on the way though and I'd like to load and try that in the Handi.
So . . . my question is in regards to "powders" and loading for the Handi with a rifle length barrel.
I was able to get some Red Dot (figured I'd use it in my 38 pistol loads if I ran out of Bulls Eye). I also know that Red Dot is a "fast" powder - usually listed below Bulls Eye and 700X. I found some loading data on Alliant's site but only for the 38 spl and 38 spl. +P.
38 Spl.
158 gr. LSWC
OAL minimum of 1.44
3.4 gr. of Red Dot
793 FPS
38 Spl +P
158 gr. LSWC
OAL minimum of 1.44
3.8 gr of Red Dot
846 FPS
Being a "fast burning" powder - used in a rifle, am I correct that the burning of the powder is going to take place completely near the very end of the breech and thus cause a spike in pressure upon ignition as opposed to a slower powder that will continue to burn and increase pressure slower as the bullet travels to the muzzle?
If so . . . is Red Dot a bad idea? . . . as opposed to using a slower burning powder such as Unique?
Does anyone use Red Dot in a 357 load for their Handi? If so, as much as I hate to ask for loading data - what is a minimum/maximum grain weight that should be used in a 357 load for a rifle using a 158 gr RN boolit with a small pistol primer?
I'm tumble loading my cast bullets in Alox/Paste Wax which works well in my pistols. I'm not looking to "push" the 357 loads for the Handi as I don't want to have a leading problem.
I'm also thinking that if I can get the slug closer to the bore by using the longer 357 casing, it will help with improving the accuracy. I don't have any desire to ream the chamber and go to the 357 Max - I don't hunt anymore and this rifle is mainly to play with plinking and maybe a woodchuck once in a while.
Above all, I don't want to do something that will be "unsafe" in terms of the powder used - with the shortages and having to "make do" with what you can get - I know that I have seen some references to using Red Dot for rifle cartridges. I do have some Unique on hand but I haven't looked yet for data on that - my Lyman Cast Bullet Handbook does not list any data for Unique with the 158 gr 358311 cast boolit.
Powder supply is "iffy" in my area - I just happened to "luck out" and hit the LGS one day when they got some in so was able to get some Red Dot and Unique. If there are any suggestions for better powders to try, I can see if I can get them but it will all depend on the day I go to the LGS and what they have at the time.
Also a question on "primers". All I have on hand is standard small pistol primers (CCI). When loading the 357 Mag cartridge - is it really necessary to use a "Mag primer"? Or, does that depend on the type of powder you are loading - i.e. some powders harder to ignite than others? Or, would there be any noticeable difference in accuracy between two cartridges, everything being equal but with one having a standard primer and the other having a magnum primer?
As far as bullets go - would there be any noticeable difference in accuracy if I went with a heavier boolit - say a 200 gr. over the 160 gr.? Right now, I have molds for .358 boolits - 105 gr (SWC), 121 gr (RN), 148 gr (WC) and 158 gr. (RN, SWC) but would consider getting a mold for a heavier boolit down the road.
Any advice or direction would be greatly appreciated. Thanks!
I've never fooled with .357 Mag. as I mainly do lighter 38 spl plinking/target loads. I've got some .357 brass on the way though and I'd like to load and try that in the Handi.
So . . . my question is in regards to "powders" and loading for the Handi with a rifle length barrel.
I was able to get some Red Dot (figured I'd use it in my 38 pistol loads if I ran out of Bulls Eye). I also know that Red Dot is a "fast" powder - usually listed below Bulls Eye and 700X. I found some loading data on Alliant's site but only for the 38 spl and 38 spl. +P.
38 Spl.
158 gr. LSWC
OAL minimum of 1.44
3.4 gr. of Red Dot
793 FPS
38 Spl +P
158 gr. LSWC
OAL minimum of 1.44
3.8 gr of Red Dot
846 FPS
Being a "fast burning" powder - used in a rifle, am I correct that the burning of the powder is going to take place completely near the very end of the breech and thus cause a spike in pressure upon ignition as opposed to a slower powder that will continue to burn and increase pressure slower as the bullet travels to the muzzle?
If so . . . is Red Dot a bad idea? . . . as opposed to using a slower burning powder such as Unique?
Does anyone use Red Dot in a 357 load for their Handi? If so, as much as I hate to ask for loading data - what is a minimum/maximum grain weight that should be used in a 357 load for a rifle using a 158 gr RN boolit with a small pistol primer?
I'm tumble loading my cast bullets in Alox/Paste Wax which works well in my pistols. I'm not looking to "push" the 357 loads for the Handi as I don't want to have a leading problem.
I'm also thinking that if I can get the slug closer to the bore by using the longer 357 casing, it will help with improving the accuracy. I don't have any desire to ream the chamber and go to the 357 Max - I don't hunt anymore and this rifle is mainly to play with plinking and maybe a woodchuck once in a while.
Above all, I don't want to do something that will be "unsafe" in terms of the powder used - with the shortages and having to "make do" with what you can get - I know that I have seen some references to using Red Dot for rifle cartridges. I do have some Unique on hand but I haven't looked yet for data on that - my Lyman Cast Bullet Handbook does not list any data for Unique with the 158 gr 358311 cast boolit.
Powder supply is "iffy" in my area - I just happened to "luck out" and hit the LGS one day when they got some in so was able to get some Red Dot and Unique. If there are any suggestions for better powders to try, I can see if I can get them but it will all depend on the day I go to the LGS and what they have at the time.
Also a question on "primers". All I have on hand is standard small pistol primers (CCI). When loading the 357 Mag cartridge - is it really necessary to use a "Mag primer"? Or, does that depend on the type of powder you are loading - i.e. some powders harder to ignite than others? Or, would there be any noticeable difference in accuracy between two cartridges, everything being equal but with one having a standard primer and the other having a magnum primer?
As far as bullets go - would there be any noticeable difference in accuracy if I went with a heavier boolit - say a 200 gr. over the 160 gr.? Right now, I have molds for .358 boolits - 105 gr (SWC), 121 gr (RN), 148 gr (WC) and 158 gr. (RN, SWC) but would consider getting a mold for a heavier boolit down the road.
Any advice or direction would be greatly appreciated. Thanks!