BK7saum
09-09-2020, 11:00 PM
I know there are several threads devoted to this topic,, but couldn't find a recent one to add to. So, I figured I'd just start a new one.
I recently purchased some 357 maximum brass and wanted to see how heavy of a payload I could load.
I loaded six to fit my model 15 38 special cylinder. I loaded six more sized to fit my 686, 19, and model 60 357 magnum cylinders.
The payload of "dust + 1 hornady .30 cal gas check was 175 grains. I loaded 4 grains of 700x and a cardboard overpowder wad.
I haven't shot any yet, but, holy cow, the pattern ought to be dense. That is 0.34 ounces of shot. Using #12 would be 788 pellets. Dust would be quiet a few more than that. Once I make sure that the load will work, I may load up #12 next time.
Been seeing a few snakes moving since the weather is cooling off.
My method........
#1. I used a 0.356 H&I die to size the neck down some (It still wouldn't fit the cylinder) I then used a 32 H&R seating die (0.330 ID) to further size the "neck" until the 357 maximum case would just fit the chamber in the cylinder. Obviously, I sized each batch of six differently to fit either the 38 special or 357 mag cylinders. (Any new loads, I may just size them to fit my 38 special and then they will work in all my revolvers.
I charged the case with 4 grains of 700x. and seated an over powder wad cut from a primer box.
The maximum brass held about 156-8 grains of lead shot "dust" that I bought here a few years ago. I tried a .30 cal gas check (Gator I think) that was too large to fit inside the case mouth. I then tried a Hornady. 30 cal gas check that was a perfect fit.
I settled the shot so that the upside down copper check was 0.005-0.010" below flush.
I used a 44 magnum round nose seater die (41 magnum RN seater was too narrow to fit the case mouth without catching on the OD of the case mouth) The 44 was a really good fit.
I basically roll crimped over the top of the check. A few have a slight rattle of shot, but most are compressed.
Once I fireform and check performance on these, they ought to hold even more shot.
The maximum brass in the 38 special model 15 reaches within a few thousandths of the end of the cylinder. I think the 357 cylinders are 0.100" longer.
I have several boxes of speer plastic shot shell capsules that I will never use. No way i can get close to the payload that the 357 max brass will hold. Right now I'm at almost 180 grains.
I'll try to get some pictures posted tomorrow, both of the loaded rounds and also of the rounds loaded into the cylinder to show the capacity.
I recently purchased some 357 maximum brass and wanted to see how heavy of a payload I could load.
I loaded six to fit my model 15 38 special cylinder. I loaded six more sized to fit my 686, 19, and model 60 357 magnum cylinders.
The payload of "dust + 1 hornady .30 cal gas check was 175 grains. I loaded 4 grains of 700x and a cardboard overpowder wad.
I haven't shot any yet, but, holy cow, the pattern ought to be dense. That is 0.34 ounces of shot. Using #12 would be 788 pellets. Dust would be quiet a few more than that. Once I make sure that the load will work, I may load up #12 next time.
Been seeing a few snakes moving since the weather is cooling off.
My method........
#1. I used a 0.356 H&I die to size the neck down some (It still wouldn't fit the cylinder) I then used a 32 H&R seating die (0.330 ID) to further size the "neck" until the 357 maximum case would just fit the chamber in the cylinder. Obviously, I sized each batch of six differently to fit either the 38 special or 357 mag cylinders. (Any new loads, I may just size them to fit my 38 special and then they will work in all my revolvers.
I charged the case with 4 grains of 700x. and seated an over powder wad cut from a primer box.
The maximum brass held about 156-8 grains of lead shot "dust" that I bought here a few years ago. I tried a .30 cal gas check (Gator I think) that was too large to fit inside the case mouth. I then tried a Hornady. 30 cal gas check that was a perfect fit.
I settled the shot so that the upside down copper check was 0.005-0.010" below flush.
I used a 44 magnum round nose seater die (41 magnum RN seater was too narrow to fit the case mouth without catching on the OD of the case mouth) The 44 was a really good fit.
I basically roll crimped over the top of the check. A few have a slight rattle of shot, but most are compressed.
Once I fireform and check performance on these, they ought to hold even more shot.
The maximum brass in the 38 special model 15 reaches within a few thousandths of the end of the cylinder. I think the 357 cylinders are 0.100" longer.
I have several boxes of speer plastic shot shell capsules that I will never use. No way i can get close to the payload that the 357 max brass will hold. Right now I'm at almost 180 grains.
I'll try to get some pictures posted tomorrow, both of the loaded rounds and also of the rounds loaded into the cylinder to show the capacity.