Powder Suggest for 357156

[warf73]

I have this pretty little Lyman 357156 that is dropping great looking boolits. I’ve got around 500 or so sized, checked and lubed.

As of right now I have an accurate load using WW296 with my full house loads using a 158gr JHP.
My mild plinking load right now is Red Dot using a 125gr. JHP.

The pistol I’m using is a Ruger SP101 357Mag.

I’ll be shooting paper mostly and some cans with this load once I get it going.

What powder would you guys suggest for this 158gr GC water dropped WW boolit? This will be loaded in a 357mag case.

Don’t have to post loads just your favor powder you us with this boolit.

Thanks Guys

Warf

[BABore]

I've yet to have real good luck driving the 156 at slow speeds. WW 231 looked great on 25 yd paper, but wouldn't hold accuracy at longer ranges. Tried most all of the fast powders. I've had real good luck with both 2400 and WW 296 at mag velocities. My pick would be 2400.

[Kraschenbirn]

Warf...

Blue Dot or Unique. Both perform quite well under the 358156 in my 3" SP101 without excessive muzzle blast.

Bill

[Huntducks]

Unique

[454PB]

Another vote for Bluedot....or HS-6.

[oso]

To get the most out of the gas check I use 2400, WC 820 and Lil'Gun is a lot of fun.

[nighthunter]

15.0 grains of 2400 will be all you need with this bullet. I must have shot a ton of these in the 357 Mag over the years and this load has been my best. Work up to it from about 14.0 grains and I'm sure you will find a favorite in that area.
Nighthunter

[Old Ironsights]

What do you want to do with it?

I send unchecked boolits into critters at <25 yds with 1.4gr (.12cc Lee Miro Disc) Titegroup. It's plenty accurate - if a bit smoky. I can alo shoot it ndoors without ears.

I recently loaded a pile of GC boolits over (IIRC) 7.1gr N340 for about 1400 FPS from my 20" Rossi. Knocked Steel Rams Dead.

AFAIC, there's not a lot wrong you can do with the 358156...

[warf73]

I'll get a pound of Unique later today. I'll give that 2400 load a try.

Thanks Guys for the push in the right direction on this boolit.

Warf

[EDK]

Skeeter Skelton favored this boolit in 357 S&W model 27s, but I can't remember the powder charge. Probably Unique...and something that is now off the charts!

My EXTREMELY OLD LYMAN CAST BULLET BOOK shows 16 grains of 2400 and 8.0 of Unique as HIGH POWER LOADS. New data is considerably lower...at least for Unique.

My choice would be Titegroup, using the Hodgdon booklet's suggestions and starting low. The SP101 is going to jump a lot more than my Original Size VAQUEROS or S&W 627.

:Fire::cbpour::redneck:

[376Steyr]

Skeeter's favorite load was 13.5 grs of 2400 in .38 Special cases, crimped on the second groove to give an over-all length about equal to a 357 load, preferably out of a 5" barrel Smith M-27. You won't find this one in a modern loading manual.

[pps]

Skeeter Skelton favored this boolit in 357 S&W model 27s, but I can't remember the powder charge. Probably Unique...and something that is now off the charts!

My EXTREMELY OLD LYMAN CAST BULLET BOOK shows 16 grains of 2400 and 8.0 of Unique as HIGH POWER LOADS. New data is considerably lower...at least for Unique.

My choice would be Titegroup, using the Hodgdon booklet's suggestions and starting low. The SP101 is going to jump a lot more than my Original Size VAQUEROS or S&W 627.

:Fire::cbpour::redneck:

The hottest "Skeeter Load" with this boolit I've read is 15gr of 2400, or with a HP version of the 358156 15.5gr of 2400.

[GrizzLeeBear]

I would agree with Kraschenbirn, in the shorter barrel something a little faster than 2400, like Blue Dot, is going to give you as much velocity with less "flash and bang". For full power loads Blue dot would be my pick. Someone here (don't remember who) posted some results with Blue Dot, 2400 and H110 (twin of 296) in a short barrel a while back. Results were that Blue Dot actually gave the best velocities with the same accuracy, and used less powder to do it.
I would also agree with BABore, that the 358156 likes to go fast. Again Blue Dot would give good velocity.
Weekend before last I tried that boolit on top of 10 gr. of Blue Dot in my 10" .357 Contender barrel for Production class in IHMSA Silhouettes. It shot very well across the course and I managed to knock down 8 out of 10 of the 200 meter rams with it. That load shoot very well in my GP-100 also.
I am planning on getting the heavier, plain based 358429 to try out for IHMSA, but not because the 358156 doesn't shoot good. I just want to move away from the gas checks wherever I can.

[warf73]

Ya I'm really not after lighting fast but a nice practice load. I can't imagine a pop can charging me were I'll need 1200fps out of my pistol :) but you never know.

I want to thank you all for the great input on this boolit. I needed something cheaper to bang while the GB is being made. Those condom bullets aren't cheap any more but I have a small supply of them from when they were cheaper.

I'm in great hopes of trying out a load of Red Dot, Unique, 2400, and WW296 this weekend using this bullet. Got a pound of Unique last night and all I can say is DAM that stuff went up, at $19.99 a pound.
Once I settle in on a load I'll make a Powder Valley run and get 8lbs of what ever powder shoots the best since this will be the main stay of my shooting till the GB comes in next year.

Thanks Again Guys

Warf

[calsite]

Given the shortness of a SP101 Barrel, I'd would have to say use powders on the fastest end of the powder burn chart. I use alot of Unique, 231, and bullseye, Have fun.

[pumpguy]

I used to shoot a lot of Unique. Now, I realize all shooting is dirty and I clean my guns when they need it. Having said that, I don't shoot it much anymore because it is filthy in my GP-100. I now shoot 15gr of 2400 behind the Saeco 158 gr plain base TC. I think it is a #398. It is stout, but, very accurate. I have been getting a little bit of leading using LLA, so, I am going to start using more lube and reduce my loads to 14 grains.