Shoot it all day plinker loads? 45 Colt vs. .357 Mag / .38 Special?

[Ziptar]

Lately I've been thinking about picking up a .357 Single action and lever gun to use for either .357 or .38 all day plinking. My current .45 Colt loads are 9 grains of Unique under a 270-SAA or 8 grains of Universal under a NOE 255-RNFP. They aren't bad out of my old Vaquero and Marlin 1894 but they aren't light loads. I mean they are light for me, i'm a big 6' 4" 275 lb guy, but everyone else that shoots them says heavy :-o.

I'm up for trying some light 45 Colt loads. For all day plinking in both fatigue and economy / quantity of ammo to make up seems like a .38 / .357 with a 155-185 grain RNFP is the way to go. Less lead, Less powder, more fun?

Thoughts?
Kevin

[Larry Gibson]

That's a good excuse for "picking up a .357 Single action and lever gun to use for either .357 or .38 all day plinking". However, if you figure the cost saving of those to be had 357 loads vs using a 160 - 200 gr cast over 4.5 - 6 gr Bullseye in the 45 Colts you already have you'll have to shoot an awful lot of 357s before you start saving on less lead and less powder. As to the "fun" part......guess that all depends.....

Not trying to talk you out of the idea by any means......

[Outpost75]

I agree with Larry, BUT I have found that a charge of 5 to 6 grains of Bullseye in the .45 Colt is accurate and pleasant with a standard-weight bullet for the caliber. If you want to go lighter than that, using the shorter Schofield brass is better, to reduce free airspace in the case, then you can drop the charge to about 4.0-4.5 grains of Bullseye and have acceptable ballistic uniformity with good accuracy.

209708

[Ziptar]

Thanks. I guess that's part of why I posted, throw the idea out there see what comes back. See if there's some good reasons to be talked out of it, if I'm making excuses for picking up another six gun and lever gun, dies and molds. :razz: or if there are some really valid points for going smaller caliber.

Appreciate it

[Thumbcocker]

The lee 105 .358 boolit over 4.0 of red dot in magnum brass is a very stingy load that usually shoots well.

[kaiser]

You need at least one .357 in your collection:razz:! The rifle in that caliber is a "***** cat" in the recoil department; fun to shoot, and cheap to load. I have a model 92 Puma, which is about the lightest rifle for caliber made and accurate as well. The six gun is a nice "companion" piece, but an option where I prefer the .45 Colt when limited to "cowboy" loads for recreational pistol shooting. While I have (and like) the .357 handguns, they are much "noisier" and recoils just as much as "Level one" .45 Colt loads; the rifle, on the other hand, "tames" the recoil and noise of this cartridge and makes for a decent 100 yard deer or hog rifle.

[Texas by God]

I taught a young couple to shoot today using a S&W m15 and a Rossi lever action. The load was 158swc over 3.5grs Red Dot and they loved it. All they had shot before were their carry guns and they were amazed how much their shooting improved.
I also showed them the 45 acp is not the beast they were led to believe. Absolutely get a .38 special but keep that .45 too!

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[Ziptar]

I've no intention of giving up the 45 Colt. It's my first true love.[emoji7]

Infact I just bought Another last night. Couldn't pass it up for the price with that brass dragoon grip frame on it.

Another mouth to feed....

I'll get some Schofield cases, a 220 - 230 grain WFN or RNFP mold, some Reddot and maybe some Trailboss and start working on some light loads.

Meantime I'll keep my eyes peeled for deals on a 357 lever, six gun, mold, and dies. Light small caliber loads do sound like fun and as has been pointed out.... Cause why not !

Anyone used the RCBS 45-230-CM mold? Looks like it might be what I needhttps://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20171218/145e97e53897eabf246b24b3894f0e8d.jpg

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[BigBore45]

180 gr. LRNFP over a min recommended charge of titegroup or aa#2 or some power in that range. I run a load like this in an conversion 1858. Cheap load fairly accurate and very mild

[Outpost75]

ZipTar, the RCBS 45-230CM is a winner, as is the similar Saeco #934.

Started with the RCBS, changed to the Saeco to get a 4-cavity for increased production and because I needed a bullet which cast larger than .453 for my S&W .45 Hand Ejector and Webley MkVI.

Accurate 45-230Y is RCBS clone:

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[Ziptar]

Thanks Outpost! The 2 cavities was the only thing I didn't like about the RCBS. That SAECO is the ticket!

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[Harter66]

Have you looked at the Lee 452-200 RF ? 5-8 gr of Unique is pretty light . Sort of an ACP in a Colts case .

[saleen322]

For light, inexpensive plinking, you can't hardly beat a 327 mag. It will shoot 327s, 32 mags, 32 S&W Longs and Shorts accurately and using 1/3 or less of the lead and powder of the larger cartridges. Some of the most accurate loads are 32 S&W Longs with 1.5 grains of WST or you can "hotrod" all the way up to 1.8 grains of AA2. Most bullets are in the 90 to 100 grain range as well. Easy shooting, low noise level, and great accuracy.
https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4518/38491716141_0feba21702_o.jpg

[osteodoc08]

I've no intention of giving up the 45 Colt. It's my first true love.[emoji7]

Infact I just bought Another last night. Couldn't pass it up for the price with that brass dragoon grip frame on it.

Another mouth to feed....

I'll get some Schofield cases, a 220 - 230 grain WFN or RNFP mold, some Reddot and maybe some Trailboss and start working on some light loads.

Meantime I'll keep my eyes peeled for deals on a 357 lever, six gun, mold, and dies. Light small caliber loads do sound like fun and as has been pointed out.... Cause why not !

Anyone used the RCBS 45-230-CM mold? Looks like it might be what I needhttps://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20171218/145e97e53897eabf246b24b3894f0e8d.jpg

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Love the brass frame. Nice looking 6 shooter

[Ziptar]

Love the brass frame. Nice looking 6 shooterThanks! The brass frame is nice. Those pearl grips gotta go though.

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[runfiverun]

you want light?
try the lee 165 on top of 4.5grs of clays.
I turned my revolver around and looked down the barrel the first time I touched one off.

[dverna]

Yes, you can load down a .45LC. It will never be as light as a light .38 but it will be very pleasant to shoot. I had a set of .45LC rifle and pistol and sold them off as the .38's were a better fit for me. I now have three .38/.357 rifles and two Colt SAA's. I will be purchasing a pair of .357 DA revolvers likely this year but they will mostly shoot light .38 reloads.

As I got older, having a slew of different calibers got less and less appealing. KISS.

If I wanted to hunt with a lever action and/or pistol, I would standardize on the .45 LC or .44 Mag and load it light for plinking. I predict if you get a rifle and pistol in .357, you will not shoot the .45's much. It makes little sense to burn more powder, use more lead, and use more expensive brass for plinking.

BTW, further to LG's comments, I figure you will save about $.50 per box using light .38 vs light .45 loads (assume lead at $1.00/lb and powder at $128/jug) Most of my "all day plinking" sessions are 400 rounds - 8 boxes. So $4/day. If you do that 50 times a year, you will save $200/yr. That assumes you are already set up to load .38's.

[Ziptar]

Yes, you can load down a .45LC. It will never be as light as a light .38 but it will be very pleasant to shoot. I had a set of .45LC rifle and pistol and sold them off as the .38's were a better fit for me. I now have three .38/.357 rifles and two Colt SAA's. I will be purchasing a pair of .357 DA revolvers likely this year but they will mostly shoot light .38 reloads.

As I got older, having a slew of different calibers got less and less appealing. KISS.

If I wanted to hunt with a lever action and/or pistol, I would standardize on the .45 LC or .44 Mag and load it light for plinking. I predict if you get a rifle and pistol in .357, you will not shoot the .45's much. It makes little sense to burn more powder, use more lead, and use more expensive brass for plinking.

BTW, further to LG's comments, I figure you will save about $.50 per box using light .38 vs light .45 loads (assume lead at $1.00/lb and powder at $128/jug) Most of my "all day plinking" sessions are 400 rounds - 8 boxes. So $4/day. If you do that 50 times a year, you will save $200/yr. That assumes you are already set up to load .38's.devrna, that breakdown was very helpful. I am heavily "invested" in 45 Colt at this point with 4 revolvers, 1 rifle, 1800+ cases, and all the reloading and casting equipment. I'd also still like to get a Marlin Cowboy Carbine Limited one of these days and a Henry.

The cost savings would take a long time to recoup to switch over to 357/38 and all that would entail clearly and I'm a KISS kind of guy.

I'll work on the 45 light loads. If some day an opportunity presents itself to get into shooting 357/38 reasonably presents itself. I may take it.

For know thought my best bet is sticking with the 45.

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[TAC14]

Get some round balls. Roll em in Lee lube. Load em with TrailBoss. Light crimp, great out to 20 yards.

[Motor]

I got lucky. My 124gr Lee TL 9mm mold drops bullets in the .358" range. So after PC and sized .358" they make great plinking loads for the 38/357 I use either Bullseye or Unique. They both produce the same thing you just need a little more of the Unique to match the same velocity as the Bullseye.

Motor

[John Boy]

I'm up for trying some light 45 Colt loads.Trail Boss and 200gr bullet

[c1skout]

The Lee 200rf is a good boolit. I load them in both colt and acp brass and shoot them regularly out to 100yds. If the sun is right you can actually watch them fly that far!

[rintinglen]

Buying a new gun to save money? My wife "saves" money that way. "But it was on sale."
Buy another gun if it pleases you, but improved economy is seldom a reality.

[TXGunNut]

I bought a Colt SAA clone in .38/.357 awhile back thinking I'd save a little lead and powder and utilize some of my dormant .38 brass. Sweet little revolver but it seems the sights are regulated for factory .357 rounds, not light .38 loads. I was looking for a Ruger BH when I found this SAA clone, guess I'm back to looking for a Ruger if I want to plink with a SA revolver using light .38 loads.

[warboar_21]

I use the RCBS 230 CM for all my light loads as well as my 45acp loads. Only downside is the double cavity. Would love a four or six cavity mold.
It shoots well out of all my guns.


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[hc18flyer]

Over the holidays I ordered a NOE 45-230tl in 3 cavity. Have a bunch cast and lube with all, ready to load. I think this will be the ticket in my Ruger BH. You can get it in 4 cavity, hard to beat a NOE mold! hc18flyer