.357 Rossi

[beefyz]

Hi all, looking for some guiding info on this beast. Toughest thing to reload for. Unfortunately, just became aware that its slow twist 1/30, may be part of the problem. I'm avoiding jacketed or gas checks, FOR NOW, since only targeting will be done with this rifle. For the most part using 158 RNFPs PBs BHN 12. Trying most of the suggested powders varying between 4-7 grs. Feels like i'm shooting a .22. I'm just not finding that sweet spot. "Light loads" 1100-1200 fps don't seem to work, and i'm assuming anything over 1400 or so would require a check. Is there a sweet spot or should i just go to GCs? ? Any of you's out there own one of these PsITA with any success ? I'm about to order some 158s RN/RNFP w/GCs ( mine doesn't seem to like LSWCs either) to see if that will help. Thanks for any help......

[FullTang]

I have one of these M92s, and I understand your frustration. Rossi is apparently catering to the cowboy action shooters, who exclusively use the lightest possible bullets (i.e. 105 gr or less) so as to avoid any semblance of recoil. 158 gr projectiles are marginal in these rifles, while 125s shoot great. 140s aren't bad, either, so just go with the lighter bullets and you'll be fine. 180 gr bullets don't work at all, so don't even think about it.

[onelight]

My most accurate light load with my Rossi 92 at this point is 3.8 to 4 grains of Red Dot under a .358 130 rnfp in 38 cases , have only shot it at 25 yards but it will shoot 3/4 inch groups at 25 yards with a tang sight. And yup it does feel like a 22 but it is fun.

[marlin39a]

I load the Lee 358-125 RNFP, in 357 brass, HP-38. Runs great.

[mr surveyor]

In my used R92 - .357 mag that I traded for in 2015, I've probably put at least 2500 rounds through it (all reloads, not a single factory round). There's been at least a dozen different bullets/profiles. I found out early on to concentrate on the loads that run between 1450 and 1700 fps using magnum powders, staying well below the :suggested: max loads, and using boolits/bullets in the 145 to 165 gr weight ranges. Never had an issue with 158 gr SWC's, but did have problems trying to cycle 180 gr boolits loaded in .357 brass. I know I could "customize" the cuts in the carriers and possibly make it work, but spare parts for replacement just don't seem to be an option if necessary. So the 180's were loaded in 38 spl brass (with slightly reduced powder load) to fit the necessary coal.

But, lately, I've been extremely happy to play with both the 145 gr and 165 gr boolits from GT which are hollow point, bevel based profile. They get an additional tumble lube with Lee liquid alox/mineral spirits (every cast bullet I use - both local cast and pre-lubed commercial cast get extra tumble lubed). Very accurate loads with either AA#9 or A-2400 with velocities between 1650-1700 fps, and no lead issues in the Rossi.

I really haven't found an accurate combination using .357 brass that will run below 1400 fps in my 1:30 twist Rossi.

Shooting cast boolits in lever guns is addicting.


jd

[onelight]

I found a pic of a 25 yard group of 4 grains of red dot and the 130rnfp from the Rossi
The top group is mine the lower group from a buddy that had never shot with a tang sight before at 25 yards it will shoot groups like these any time I have had it to the range.
264901 Top Orange dot Is 11/2 " bottom 1"

[trapper9260]

For my what ever I shoot in it that I shoot in the BH with out any problems , I shoot up to 200grs. I use GC and PB in my beside jacket .

[winelover]

Twelve to twelve and a half grains of 2400 in magnum cases, is the sweet spot in my .357 Rossi carbine, with Accurate Moulds 158 RNFP.

NOE's 180 RNFP prefers maximum charges of H-110 in magnum cases.


Winelover

[farmbif]

my old pre safety Rossi shoots best with 358156 lubed and checked pushed real fast, 14.5 gr 4227, 9.5 gr hs6, or 125 gr special loads, the 358156 also chambers 357 rounds no problem whereas it does not want to chamber some jacketed 158's

[2wheelDuke]

Mine mostly gets 158gr SWCs. I've been powder coating mine for years now. It does feel a bit like a pellet gun with 6 grains of Unique behind it. That 20" octagon really has some weight to it. I say it's like a shooting gallery gun. I shoot steel most of the time so I don't know about groups, but it's plenty accurate for me at 50 yards offhand.

[rintinglen]

my old pre safety Rossi shoots best with 358156 lubed and checked pushed real fast, 14.5 gr 4227, 9.5 gr hs6, or 125 gr special loads, the 358156 also chambers 357 rounds no problem whereas it does not want to chamber some jacketed 158's

That' exactly what mine likes. A 358-156 or its RCBS GC clone and 15.7 grains of H110 or 14.5 grains of 2400 shoots very well --with gas check. i have not had good luck with plain base boolits. the 357-446 in particular was a bust. Patterns, not groups were the result. The RNFP 158 grain shoots ok, but Mine is only a two cavity and therefore gets less use.

Mine is pretty finicky about OAL. Too Long or too short and it doesn't want to play. 1.55 -- 1.590 inches seems to be the sweet spot.

[gon2shoot]

158gr RNFP 12.5 of 2400 shoots better than I can see.

[saturn]

Lee 125gr RNFP, 4.5gr W231 in 38 cases. Mild and accurate in old Rossi.

[beefyz]

Thanks to all for comments. I see most of you, like me, have had much experimentation with this rifle to find something that works, so i don't feel too bad about my efforts. Thats suppossed to be the fun of reloading, right? Forget to mention that i was shooting only 158s at 50yds & I single load using the iron sights, and yes, at my age this might also give me some problems, but it got worse ONLY with this rifle, hence all the questions. I shoot fine w/open sights using the John C, carbine, dirty-30, 32-20, & 25-35.
I was quite surprised by some of you with success in using the lightweight 125,130, 140s etc. Few yrs back in surfing this column I remember one fellow mentioned "lighter boolits DO NOT grp well in his Rossi (?). So from that time i simply avoided the lighter boolits. Same fellow rec 180s >1,700 so i assumed that meant GCs, which i wasn't considering at the time. Full Tang above doesn't rec 180s at all, but i will experiment with the lighter offerings. Ironically had some 180s at one point and got the beginning of a grping but didn't pursue it as i was intent on staying with the numerous options in 158s. In addition, some of you are using GCs; i'm open to that, as i would like to feel i'm not shooting a .22 all the time. I'd like to try 4227 & 4756 ; around 13.8/14.3 w/158RN in .357, still researching w/4756. Or 2400 @ 13.5 w/158RN using wsp and then some 180s 11.5-12.3 again w/wsp. Anyone try theses combos? Ringtinglen..."i have not had good luck with plain base boolits. Patterns, not groups were the result". hahahah , are we related ? "I really haven't found an accurate combination using .357 brass that will run below 1400 fps in my 1:30 twist Rossi"; I guess this statement best sums it up for me. Thanks again, I will continue to experiment, heeding your advices, and will get back with the results ....

[onelight]

I have shot some of the Lee GC 158 Sized .358 mine come out 168 grains ready to load over 300-mp these would group under an inch With a tang sight at 25yards for what that is worth . I need to go to a place where I can shoot at longer Range. From the reports I have seen the lighter bullets work better for most people in light loads , the heavier the bullet the faster you have to shoot it to get it to stabilize at long range With the slow twist. But all load work for me has been at 25 yards so I don't have the longer range experience with the Rossi many here have.

[AlaskaMike]

I've had very good luck with my 20" Rossi 92. It takes all my .38 and .357 mag loads with no issues, and all are pretty accurate inside of 100 yards. Certainly not sub-MOA, but I don't expect that.

The three bullet types I use are:

Lasercast 125 gr TC
RCBS 38-150-SWC
MP 358 Hammer (170 gr solid)

I've also tried sizing both .358 and .360 to see if it liked one better than the other, but it doesn't seem to make a difference at 100 yards.

[KCcactus]

With loads in the 1100-1200 fps range, your problem may be the boolits getting unstab le as they drop below the speed of sound. I have Rossi 92s in both 357 and 44. Light loads worked fine until I started doing a silhouette competition with targets out to 100 yds. I did fine out to 75, but there was no telling where they would go at 100. I reduced the powder charge until they were starting out subsonic and it works much better at 100.

My 357 likes the lee 125 rf. I recently got a MP 130 gr swc mold intended for 9mm that seems to work even better. My heaviest 357 mold is 150 gr.

[mr surveyor]

With loads in the 1100-1200 fps range, your problem may be the boolits getting unstab le as they drop below the speed of sound. I have Rossi 92s in both 357 and 44. Light loads worked fine until I started doing a silhouette competition with targets out to 100 yds. I did fine out to 75, but there was no telling where they would go at 100. I reduced the powder charge until they were starting out subsonic and it works much better at 100.

My 357 likes the lee 125 rf. I recently got a MP 130 gr swc mold intended for 9mm that seems to work even better. My heaviest 357 mold is 150 gr.


Thanks for that reminder concerning the transition from super-sonic to sub-sonic.

jd

[MT Gianni]

I have two, one likes the 358156 in 38 cases pushed wit 2400 ala Skeeter Skelton. The other does well with the NOE 160 wfn and slow powders pushing fast. Both like 125 gr lee and 4-5 gr fast powder. I would have sold them both long ago if I were to depend on the factory sights.

[Texas by God]

My last Rossi shot the Lee 358150SWC very well loaded with Unique in .38 Special cases. Velocity was 1200 fps average and I got several Copenhagen can size 3 shot groups @ 100 yards. It didnt like .357 ammo function wise. I've had 4 Rossis and when I found the load they liked, they were quite accurate.

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-G930A using Tapatalk

[beefyz]

Just did a search for .358 GC boolits. EVERYONE has .358s, no one that i ever used has any decent selections in the grainages i'm lookin for. And I haven't found one that makes a boolit with a shank to apply my own checks. Whats everyone's feeling about these new "coated" boolits? Do they make checks obsolote ?

[fecmech]

I own 2 Rossi's, a 20" and 24".The Lee 125RNFP is the most accurate bullet by far. Both guns will average 3 moa. ten shot groups at 100 yds with that bullet in the 1200-1400 fps range. My silhouette load (100yd) is 4.5/Bullseye in mag cases for 1200 fps. The Lee TLSWC 158gr shoots pretty well (about 4-5"@100yds) in .38 cases with 5 grs of Unique. The Lee 120TC 9mm bullet is an accuracy winner also.

[kenton]

I am one of those unfortunate people who's Rossi doesn't like lighter boolits. 158gr rnfp group and feed great but 125gr rnfp jam and shoot shotgun patterns.

[Charlie Horse]

Been playing with my Rossi for a few weeks. So far it seems to like the Lee 124 grain TCTL bullet with about 5 grains of Unique. I don't have to size it. I've also had luck with the 170 grain Lee SWC. My gun does not like the 105 grain Lee SWC. I'm still in the experimental stage. It is a fun gun for sure.

[MT Gianni]

Just did a search for .358 GC boolits. EVERYONE has .358s, no one that i ever used has any decent selections in the grainages i'm lookin for. And I haven't found one that makes a boolit with a shank to apply my own checks. Whats everyone's feeling about these new "coated" boolits? Do they make checks obsolote ?

It is tough to buy bullets from someone who hasn't added checks. I don't find coated replaced gas checks though it depends on what velocity you're shooting.

[onelight]

Just did a search for .358 GC boolits. EVERYONE has .358s, no one that i ever used has any decent selections in the grainages i'm lookin for. And I haven't found one that makes a boolit with a shank to apply my own checks. Whats everyone's feeling about these new "coated" boolits? Do they make checks obsolote ?
I shoot hi-tek coated in quite a few of my guns I have not shot full power loads in my Rossi but have shot some in the 1300 to 1400 range with no leading I use GC on several of my loads for .357 .44 and 45-70 and just like any cast the faster you shoot them the more critical becomes fit and alloy but both are more forgiving of alloy and size than regular cast. That is my experience

[TCLouis]

I wish I had read about the1:30 twist before, rather than after my purchase.
The Rossi 92 would have never had a place in my safe.

Finally got so-so accuracy at 50 yds pushing 358156 and sighted with a tang sight.

I can NOT use that buckhorn sight that came on the rifle!
For some reason I can not get a good sight picture with that sight.
We just don't get along!

I was going to get rid of it, but the resale is so low I'll just keep it to plink with occasionally.
Who knows one day I may find a "useful/hunting" load for it.

[FullTang]

I think some of the confusion in this thread comes from the changes made by Rossi along the way. The older guns were made with a twist similar to 357 revolvers, so the rifles would shoot all the same loads (makes lots of sense to me). This would seem to be preferred for hunting and target shooting. I don't know exactly what year they switched over to the slow twist 1:30 like I have and that the OP is asking about, but that is clearly optimized for lighter bullets. I assume this was because the marketing dept. at Rossi came to realize that most of their sales were going to cowboy action shooters. Like the OP, I probably wouldn't have bought this gun if I realized that this slow-twist barrel would cause such problems with heavier bullets. However, I have found that accuracy is quite good with most 158 gr loads, and fantastic with any 140, 130 and 125 gr loads, whether in 38 or 357 cases. I'll just reserve those 180s for the revolvers.

[onelight]

I wissh I had read about the1:30 twist before, rather than after my purchase.
It would have never had a place in my safe.

Finally got so-so accuracy at 50pushing 358156 and sighted with a tang sight.

I can NOT use that buckhorn sight that came on the rifle!
We just don't get along!
I changed the front and put a folding rear on mine and added a Marbles tang sight .
The tang is sighted for the light loaded 130 rnfp and the folding rear for 158 jhp loaded to max.
Works for me if I ever hunt with it would be for small game.

[derek45]

Lee 358-125 RNFP / win231 for plinking

140grXTP / H110 for more

https://i.imgur.com/o65YpYx.jpg

LEE 125 ( blue ) with similar SNS RNFP

https://i.imgur.com/Vn0RzSE.jpg

[Cosmic_Charlie]

Lee 358-125 RNFP / win231 for plinking

140grXTP / H110 for more

https://i.imgur.com/o65YpYx.jpg

LEE 125 ( blue ) with similar SNS RNFP

https://i.imgur.com/Vn0RzSE.jpg

Nice looking rounds.

[meh]

I had another constraint to worry about with mine. Besides the slow rate of twist needing higher velocity to shoot accurately, when I shot standard pressure .357 magnum out of my Rossi 92, the cases would be a little bit over-expanded near the rim and just at the end of the reach of a resizing die. I guess the chamber wides up a little back there. I don't like mixing the brass I'm using with this gun up with my other guns. It's hardly there at 38 special pressure, but the gun won't shoot 158 grain bullets at 38 special pressure very accurately, not even 125 grain jacketed 38 special. I tried 125gr RNFP 38 special loads in it once, but they were too short to cycle. I finally got the idea to shoot 125gr TCFP bullets with Hi-Tek coatings in 38 special. With 7.5 grains of Shooters World Auto Pistol, I get these going about 1350 fps at .38 special pressure, and that seems to do the trick--fast enough to be accurate at the slow rate of twist, long enough to cycle, and low enough pressure that the brass doesn't over expand where the chamber is larger.

[beefyz]

What a great (learning) post this has been ! I've some good news... looks like problem is solved. I'm collating all loads/results
now and in a few days i'll post, hopefully with a target.
I'll call it "Rossi 357 Update".

[Jeff Michel]

Oddly enough, I picked one up yesterday so this information is pretty timely. Any loads or opinions are appreciated. Keep it coming.

[Norske]

I think the only lever rifle with a twist rate as quick as magnum handguns is the Italian-made Chiappa. That SSAS twist is common.
I own a Marlin 1894 44Mag that won't shoot a 300 gr Lee boolit accurately.

[dangitgriff]

It is tough to buy bullets from someone who hasn't added checks. I don't find coated replaced gas checks though it depends on what velocity you're shooting.

As I understand it, a powder-coated boolit launched at less than 2000 fps does not require a gas check.
I am not experienced enough with shooting PC boolits over 2000 fps to say if they are necessary. The powder maker I buy from recommends gas checks over 2200 fps.
R/Griff

[dangitgriff]

I think the only lever rifle with a twist rate as quick as magnum handguns is the Italian-made Chiappa. That SSAS twist is common.
I own a Marlin 1894 44Mag that won't shoot a 300 gr Lee boolit accurately.

My Henry .41 magnum with 20” barrel has a 1 in 18.75” twist. Is that considered slow or fast for this caliber? I will be trying some 260-280 grain cast in it sometime, and attempting best accuracy between 1200-1600 fps.
R/Griff

[dangitgriff]

Oddly enough, I picked one up yesterday so this information is pretty timely. Any loads or opinions are appreciated. Keep it coming.

“Information purposes only”:
180 grain FPJ Sierra #8370 over 12.0 grains of Accurate No. 9, C.O.L. 1.585”, is an accurate load from my Marlin 1894C.
Lyman 50th:
MAX LOAD: 180 grain JHP, 14.0 grains H110, 1109 fps, 39,000 C.U.P.
MAX LOAD: 170 grain Linotype (358429), 15 grains H110, 1285 fps, 40,900 C.U.P.
R/Griff

[Airman Basic]

Thanks to all for comments. I see most of you, like me, have had much experimentation with this rifle to find something that works, so i don't feel too bad about my efforts. Thats suppossed to be the fun of reloading, right? Forget to mention that i was shooting only 158s at 50yds & I single load using the iron sights, and yes, at my age this might also give me some problems, but it got worse ONLY with this rifle, hence all the questions. I shoot fine w/open sights using the John C, carbine, dirty-30, 32-20, & 25-35.
I was quite surprised by some of you with success in using the lightweight 125,130, 140s etc. Few yrs back in surfing this column I remember one fellow mentioned "lighter boolits DO NOT grp well in his Rossi (?). So from that time i simply avoided the lighter boolits. Same fellow rec 180s >1,700 so i assumed that meant GCs, which i wasn't considering at the time. Full Tang above doesn't rec 180s at all, but i will experiment with the lighter offerings. Ironically had some 180s at one point and got the beginning of a grping but didn't pursue it as i was intent on staying with the numerous options in 158s. In addition, some of you are using GCs; i'm open to that, as i would like to feel i'm not shooting a .22 all the time. I'd like to try 4227 & 4756 ; around 13.8/14.3 w/158RN in .357, still researching w/4756. Or 2400 @ 13.5 w/158RN using wsp and then some 180s 11.5-12.3 again w/wsp. Anyone try theses combos? Ringtinglen..."i have not had good luck with plain base boolits. Patterns, not groups were the result". hahahah , are we related ? "I really haven't found an accurate combination using .357 brass that will run below 1400 fps in my 1:30 twist Rossi"; I guess this statement best sums it up for me. Thanks again, I will continue to experiment, heeding your advices, and will get back with the results ....

Used the last of my 4756 years ago. You got a secret stash or supplier somewhere? Was my goto for just about all my handguns.

[FullTang]

My Henry .41 magnum with 20” barrel has a 1 in 18.75” twist. Is that considered slow or fast for this caliber? I will be trying some 260-280 grain cast in it sometime, and attempting best accuracy between 1200-1600 fps.
R/Griff

Ruger Blackhawk is 1:20, so your Henry has a fairly fast-twist barrel and should be fine for heavier bullets.

[meh]

I own a Marlin 1894 44Mag that won't shoot a 300 gr Lee boolit accurately.

I have the same problem with my Henry Big Boy in 44 magnum--1:38 twist. But I recently learned that Henry no longer makes them with that twist rate. I think they must have changed within the last year or so. Now they're 1:20. Good for them.

[TankerDon]

I've been watching this thread with interest, having picked one up last year. I bought a box of SNS 125g TCFP coated boolits to start with. https://www.snscasting.com/38-357-125-grain-flat-point-red-coated-1000ct/
A couple weeks ago the gun shows got going again and I stumbled on a big jug of AA#5 covered with dust for $45. Seal was intact so took a chance. Did a ladder load and it likes 7.5g. This was on the 50yd line, which is what I got it for. Fun shooting blowing up clay pigeons on that berm as fast as I can like I'm one of the Magnificent 7 lol! My first foray in the lever gun scene and these things are fun! Loaded in .357 brass at 1.575"

[winelover]

Nice shooting...............I'd try 7.0 grains to see what it would do.

Winelover

[TankerDon]

Nice shooting...............I'd try 7.0 grains to see what it would do.

Winelover

Tried the 7/7.5g loads yesterday. The 7.5g was still a little better. Not quite what I got last try, had to hurry as the rain was rolling in. I concur with the others whose rifles like the lighter boolits. I also couldn't along with the stock rear sight. I went with a red dot on the rail.

[colonelhogan44]

I've never noticed any tumbling in my 357 mag Puma 92 (1-30), and I shoot 125-180gr bullets. The 125 is a lee TC, and I usually load slightly above the 38+p load levels. With anything heavier, it's full power only, mostly lil'gun for ~1850fps with a 180gr. I can shoot nice groups at 50yds with that load, but I'm not sure about anything father than that.

[beefyz]

" The 125 is a lee TC, and I usually load slightly above the 38+p load levels. With anything heavier, it's full power only".

Thats exactly the same thing i've determined and others like us have mentioned. The 125s & 140s have made a huge difference from when i first started with the Rossi using 158s. Gun very finicky with 158s ala "find something it likes and you'll be ok". The 180s near/at max are also very good. Trouble now is that i placed an order for 500 each of the 125/140s and the supplier is backed up 1 month .....

[colonelhogan44]

Try these guys:
https://www.snscasting.com/38-357/

[beefyz]

Good find !!

[colonelhogan44]

They've always been good to me, and very decently priced. That said, I cast my own 95% of the time :D

[farmbif]

my old ugly pre safety Rossi does not feed well with very many bullets loaded in 357 mag brass but two that do work well are mp 360125's from an old group buy and 358156's. both will shoot down 1" trees at 50 yards

[Terminatorret]

OK, after quite a bit of experimenting over the last year with red dot and bue dot, here's my subsonic .357 load:
Rifle: Ruger 77/357
Scope: Old Japanese Bushnell Banner 4x32 with BDC
Chrono: Ohler 35P
Bullet: 180gr FN cast
Powder: 6.5gr Blue Dot
Handload Speed: 1090 fps
...I was zeroing the Bushnell scope for various ammo (BDC, remember?)...and comparing factory .38 spl FMJ (130gr factory - 1240 fps), .357 SJHP (158gr factory - 1750 fps), and 180gr (subsonic hand load - 1090 fps)
Last 3 180gr shots yielded about a 1.5" group @ 75 yards...I was quite tired by then and I think the I could tighten the group with a little more concentration. But now I have the BDC settings for the above listed rounds.

Give me a varmit target and I will choose my round. I hand load for subsonic and heavy. Why? Less noise, less recoil, bullet impacts terra firma at 200 yards (my property limit), and it hits like a hammer with through and through penetration.

[alamogunr]

A little late but thought I would add what little I know. I've had a Rossi .357 for several years and had about given up on an accurate load. Recently I bought an Arsenal 429215 SWC Clone mold from a member here. The weight is listed as 225 gr. I'm hoping it will solve the problem of slow twist in the Rossi. I'll try to remember to post my results here

[colonelhogan44]

Slow twist requires lighter bullets. I'd be surprised if you get good results with a 225gr in a 1-30 twist.

[alamogunr]

Sorry! I gave conflicting information in my post. The Arsenal mold(429215) is for my Browning BL-92 in .44 Mag. That is the gun I'm hoping to have better luck with.

[Kosh75287]

The 1:30 twist rate certainly SCREAMS for lighter projectiles. I don't want to speak heresy on a site devoted to cast lead bullets, but MY first inclination would be to use a 125 gr. Sierra J-word SP over a substantial charge of Alliant 2400 or IMR-4227. It's not a load made for the Cowboy-Action set, but it should be a more-than-adequate whitetail deer round out to 125 yards.

There are those who insist that the .30 U.S. Carbine is adequate for deer under the same conditions, if soft-points are used (I am not among those). The load I mention has 14% more bullet weight, 26% more frontal area, and the same or similar velocity to the .30 USC. Given meticulous marksmanship from the hunter, this could make for a very nice deer harvester.

[colonelhogan44]

Pretty much any bullet weight up to 180 will work fine, as long as it is running at full power levels. A lee 180 with a gas check is my favorite projectile.

[dangitgriff]

Did I mention already...180 grain Hornady XTP HP seems like it would perform with authority up to 75 yards. A tube-full of those seems like it would be hard to beat.
R/Griff

[colonelhogan44]

Did I mention already...180 grain Hornady XTP HP seems like it would perform with authority up to 75 yards. A tube-full of those seems like it would be hard to beat.
R/Griff

The 180xtp is great and shoots accurately in my Rossi. As does the Lee 180GC group buy bullet.

[Charlie Horse]

I've had best luck with 148 grain wadcutter seated long over a light charge of Unique. 3.5 to 4.0 grains. OAL 1.444. These have been most consistent.

[35 Whelen]

I've owned a '92 Rossi in .357 for nearly 10 years, bought when the wife and I dabbled in CAS. We gave up CAS but the Rossi has stayed around as a utility rifle. If it's not in the laundry room gun rack in case a coyote gets in the chickens, then it often rides on the dash of the pickup when I'm feeding the cows or just out and about in the pasture. A couple of years ago I used it a little for hunting and wound up taking a sow and a doe with it.

My momma used to tell me "don't borrow trouble", and I think that's pretty sage advise here. Don't worry about the twist of your rifle's barrel, just shoot. Honestly I had no idea what the twist of my Rossi was until I stumbled on this thread. So I trotted out to the shop and checked it and sure enough, 1-30".

Funny thing is I long ago worked up a load consisting of a Sierra 170 gr. HP running around 1700 fps for a hunting load and it was plenty accurate for deer out to 100 yds. Later I bought an MP mold that casts a 180 gr. FP, a 172 gr. HP and a 166 gr. HP, all of which stabilized at velocities from 1580 to 1700+ fps. As you can see, it isn't exactly a short bullet (The expanded bullet was recovered from the sow)-

https://i.imgur.com/bBJR7dvh.jpg

I haven't done much serious accuracy testing because the rifle pretty much a 100 yd. affair, but glancing at my load log I found that 12.5-13.0 grs. of AL2400 ran this bullet pretty close to 1600 fps and grouped 1" @ 25 yds. and 2.5"-3" @ 50 yds. Switching to 15.0 grs. of H110 bumped the velocity to a bit over 1700 fps and grouped 2.5" @ 100 yds.

For a plinking/target load I used a 160 gr. SWC from an H&G #51 mold loaded in .38 Special cases over 3.5 grs. of Clays which averaged 1012 fps.

My utility load for my .357's is a 152 gr. SWC cast from a Lyman 358477 mold loaded over 6.0 grs. of Unique which averages 1240 fps from the Rossi and about 1000 fps from my 4 3/4" Uberti's. I haven't really grouped it in the Rossi, just clanged some 100 yd. steel, but the load is incredibly accurate in the Uberti's-

https://i.imgur.com/oNWUbj0h.jpg

Hope this helps.

35W