.357 for revolver and rifle.

[jeffsmith13]

Happy 4th America .
I now have a S&W 586 no dash .357 magnum. I’m looking for a cast bullet that I can shoot in it and a rifle. I haven’t bought the rifle yet. I got the revolver this week after my father passed last Sunday. It was his favorite handgun. I haven’t shot it in well over 20 years. I will buy a rifle, probably a lever action , also. I have multiple rifle and handgun pairs in 44 magnum. I want to cast for the 357 and be able to use in both rifle and revolver. I prefer a bullet suitable for deer hunting.
Thanks in advance.
Jeff

[Grayone]

I would take a look at the lee 158 grain SWC with Gas Check for both. It would be like the Lyman 358156 which would be another good one.

[Kraschenbirn]

Are you planning to regularly shoot full 'magnum' loads in the S&W or something more like an enhanced +P? I, personally, lean more toward moderation and with that in mind have developed a load that works well in both my handguns and my Rossi 92. 11.5 gr. of A2400 under a powder-coated 162 gr RNFP (Arsenal mold) produces right at 1150 fps from a Ruger Match Champion (or a 4 5/8" Blackhawk) and just over 1200 from a 6" S&W. Never chrono'd the Rossi but, off-sandbags, load will hold inside of 4" @ 100 yds using factory sights.

Bill

[derek45]

Get the rifle, and see what she feeds smoothly.

I have Rossi 92 that is a ton of fun, but can be picky about feeding SWC's

some feed smoothly in 38 brass and hang up on 357 brass

others feed smoothly in 357 brass

not all SWC's have the same shape.

these LEE 125gr,...or SNS 130gr feed like butter

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

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

LEE and commercial 158gr SWC, one feeds well, the other does not.

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


these SNS 158's feed well.

https://www.snscasting.com/38-357-158-grain-flat-point-red-coated-500ct/

https://cdn2.bigcommerce.com/server2100/8hayp/products/1968/images/1674/38_158_FP_red__42109.1475591404.1280.1280.jpg?c=2

[Bigslug]

Jeff,

Derek's advice is sound - buy your lever gun and see what it runs the smoothest with (cycle slowly and feel for "hitchy"), then buy your mold accordingly.

The WFN profile of the blue bullet he shows loaded in the case would be my go-to choice, albeit in a heavier weight. That general shape has two advantages: (1.) a lot of "feed ramp" type guns will usually think that you're giving it round nose; (2.) the big meplat will do a fair job of tissue damage even when cast of harder alloys more appropriate to faster loads, saving you the need to agonize over expansion vs. speed.

Worth a few boxes of factory figuring the gun's preferences out.

[psweigle]

I use the lee 158gr rnfp for all my 357 magnum guns. It feeds and shoots fantastic from the coonan and the Ruger 77/357. Works great on game.

[imashooter2]

The NOE 180 grain WFN feeds great in the Marlin 1894C and by all reports is a fine deer slayer.

[Der Gebirgsjager]

Sorry to hear that you lost your father, Jeff. Having that 686 will be something to remember him by. Lots of good .357 Mag. rifle choices out there.

DG

[jeffsmith13]

Y’all are a wealth of information, I really appreciate all the information you share.

[downzero]

The Lee 125 RF is a great bullet discussed above.

For heavier loadings, the 158 is great as well. I think you'll see that there are a ton of good bullets out there for 38/357 and might even find it hard to choose.

[dverna]

Derek46 has given you good advice.

I always start load development with what the rifles likes. A sweet pistol load that the rifle shoots poorly or does not feed well has wasted your time and money.

[farmbif]

one of the most popular bullets for 357 mag is the 358156, and possibly second to that is 360640, can't go wrong with either of these in 357 mag. The RCBS 357-180 SIL is a heavy hitter and has quite a good reputation too. there is a good possibility all three of these will function well in both handgun and picky lever action, my Rossi 92 is very picky as to what will function smoothly and all 3 of these work.

[badguybuster]

My 627s and my Win92 all like the 180 grain hcgc from Montana Bullet Works

[jeffsmith13]

Seems the Rossi 92 is very popular, I’ll have to find one to try . I’m glad there are numerous bullets to choose from, gives me confidence I’ll find the right combination. Appreciate all the replies.

[fecmech]

Seems the Rossi 92 is very popular, I’ll have to find one to try . I’m glad there are numerous bullets to choose from, gives me confidence I’ll find the right combination. Appreciate all the replies.
The Rossi has a 1 in 30" twist which can hurt you with the heavier bullets in the .357 as far as accuracy. The Lee 125 RNFP is the accuracy champ in Rossi's IMO but that might be a bit light for deer. The 158 RNFP should be more than adequate on a deer at rifle velocities. The rifle will give you 300-400 more fps than the pistol when loaded with the slower powders like 2400,296,H110. Good luck which ever way you go, .357 lever guns a fun!

[1Papalote]

Lee 125RF and RanchDog 190 are the most used molds in my collection. 125s shoot very well and 190s thump whitetails real good.

[Jim22]

Whatever rifle you choose you would do well, like has been said, to find loads for it first. My Marlin 1894C did not like many boolits. Seems they would catch on the edge of the chamber nearest the ejection port. The rifle has a sharp edge there. After fighting with it for years I sent it to Grizzly Custom Guns in Columbia Falls, Montana. Among other things he tuned the trigger and fixed the feeding. He only works on Marlin Rifles. His work was perfect, timely and fair priced. I was concerned about cast boolits im my Marlin with Micro-Groove rifling but someone on this forum suggested sizing boolits to .360". It works. I use Lee's 158 grain cast flat point without gas check but with Smoke's powder coating. If I were not powder coating I would use the same boolit with a gas check. Good luck and have fun.

Sorry to hear about your father.

Jim

[QuackAttack24]

I would take a look at the lee 158 grain SWC with Gas Check for both. It would be like the Lyman 358156 which would be another good one.
This is one good choice^ This is one that I cast to fire in my 357 revolvers and Henry lever action rifle. Loaded with 14 gr of A2400 I get 1280 ft/s from a 6" model 27. The most accurate bullet I've found for my Henry is the Hornady 158 gr XTP. Loaded with 14.5 gr A2400 it is extremely accurate and cycles smoothly in the Henry, clocks in at 1600 ft/s and would certainly take down a deer. 16.5 gr of H110 gets you up to 1700 ft/s. Whatever bullet you choose, you want it to be flat point so the tip of the bullet doesn't set off the primer resting on top of it in the tube of your rifle. Lots of good advice above. I would second the idea that it would be worth buying some lead bullets to load and test out (If you can find them) before purchasing a mold for casting that bullet.

[dverna]

If you afford it, get a Marlin 1894. I have two and they are very good guns. Easy to mount a scope on them.

If you are ok with a tang sight, one of the 1873 clones is a better choice than the Rossi IMO. I have had two Uberti’s and they performed well....sold one to a new CAS shooter but kept the other.

BTW, had a Rossi and sold it. Not a bad gun for the money but it will never run like a Marlin 94 or 1873. There are articles on the net about getting them tuned up. For plinking and hunting should be fine....until you handle a tuned 94 or 73.

[whisler]

I like my Rossi 92 and it likes my Lee 125 RF.

[Bigslug]

Just as an aside, while it isn't likely to be quite as long-term sturdy for hot loads as the Marlins and later design Winchesters, the feed system of the Uberti 1873 Winchester clones is basically a ride up in an elevator followed by a straight shove into the chamber without the nose up / tip down process of the later designs. As long as you've got SOME taper, there's little stopping a successful chambering.

Downside is you're pretty much an irons-only affair.

There is also the Ruger 77/357, if bolt guns are more your thing.

[jeffsmith13]

I have a 1894 in 44 Mag I put a new carrier in and really like it, 1976 year of manufacture. One in 357 would be great, prices are a little higher right now. Would make a nice pair .

[gwpercle]

I don't have a rifle but I would like to pass along my two pet 357 Magnum loads developed for a Ruger Blackhawk in 1971 . Lyman # 358156 , 155 or 158 grain cast SWC w/ GC , cast of 50/50 COWW/soft range scrap , air cooled , sized .358" , Lithium-Beeswax Lube .

1.) Powder charge : 7.0 grains Unique = 1090 fps
2.) Powder charge : 6.5 grains Unique = 1010 fps

Load #1's first group was 6 shots @ 75' ... a "cloverleaf group" that could be covered by a quarter !!! WINNER
Load #2 is a little lighter for plinking , target and tin cans ...it gives good groups but #1 is still my all time " Pet" accuracy load .
In a rifle , load #1 should do very nicely .
Be sure and use the gas check !
Gary

[jeffsmith13]

Awesome info thanks

[JAMESGR]

I have a S&W 686-7 and a couple of Henry's in .357,o ne brass and one blue. I tried several weights in SWC crimped with the first driving band outside the case. When crimped in the crimp groove these would hang on the driving band when cycling in the Henry's. So, I got an MP 359640 mold. When crimp in the upper crimp groove these feed in the Henry's and is long enough in the S&W cylinder chambers. The rifles shoot these bollits very accurately with just about any powder charge. The 686-7 shoots a lot better than I can, cause I ain't Annie Oakley's brother. Cousin ether for that matter.
Good luck with your search.
JAMES
JAMESGR

[rfd]

Had .357mag in both revolver (GP100) and rifle (Henry s/s H015), fun guns.

[bedbugbilly]

My combo is a Uberti 357 Bisley and a Henry Big Boy Steel with Skinner peep sight. I don't want the hot but rather moderate. For 357 brass my boolit selection is the Lee 125 and 158 grain RNFP. For 38 special, it's the Ideal/Lyman 358-311 158 grain RN - in my Henry that boolit in a 38 spl. casing feeds like melted butter.

For the shooting I do, I like the option of being able to use both 38 spl. and 357 pistol/rifle combo. With the 358-311 RN working best in my rifle in 38 spl. brass and the Lee 125 & 158 RNFP working best in the rifle in 357 brass, the boolit profile difference allows me to tell at a quick glance what the cartridge is.

[PAndy]

We really like the conical flat points in our assorted lever guns. Some levers are sensitive to bullet (overall) length more than bullet shape. Good luck with 140 gr, 125 gr, and 180 gr. Mild loads.

[jeffsmith13]

Just called the S&W performance center and they are not taking any work. Anyone want to recommend a smith to have the 586 refinished ? I’m not worried about decreasing value, this gun will stay in the family, I just want it restored .
Thanks again

[Cosmic_Charlie]

158 grain over 7 grains of HS-6.

[PhatForrest]

For 38s, Lee 158 rfn and MP 158 swc`s feed well in my 92. If you cycle the action slowly, it'll feed MP 148 wadcutters crimped at the groove.

Freaking love that rifle.

[Jack Stanley]

If the carbine you chose doesn't like heavy bullets like the LBT 185 grain , I'd suggest the Lyman 160 grain "cowboy" style . My carbine will handle either one and my four inch 686 really likes the 185 bullet in .38 special with a good charge of Unique .

Jack

[white cloud]

My Marlin 1894 likes the 158 grain Hornady XTP under some H110 and the 158 grain RCBS gas checked .357 bullet under 15.9 grains of H110. Both loads shoot to the same point of impact at 100 yards and are pretty accurate for a lever gun. The cast bullet load works just fine in my GP100 and Security Six. I think rifle/pistol combinations make a great deal of sense.

[jeffsmith13]

I think rifle/pistol combinations make a great deal of sense. Me too.

[Yooper003]

My favorite mold for my 357’s is a NOE .359 - 173 gr. It is just a double & has 1 Pb & 1 GC. My 357 rifle is a Henry SS & it seems to like the heavy boolits best. They shoot fine in my Vaquero also.

[Landy88]

Don't ignore single shots or combination guns, admittedly not the more "findable" or affordable choice, they don't have the feeding issues and are friendlier for heavy bullets.

While another that isn't as easy to find but is quite nice, a friend's Winchester 94 seems to eat anything, with its longer 30-30 length action.

If they fit your guns the 200 grainers can really shine:

https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLXrn3Tq9XDpd2jfkxkXRtakd3O2OACONG

[centershot]

Just called the S&W performance center and they are not taking any work. Anyone want to recommend a smith to have the 586 refinished ? I’m not worried about decreasing value, this gun will stay in the family, I just want it restored .
Thanks again

Try Valley Gun Works in North East, PA.

https://www.valleygunworks.com/

[jeffsmith13]

Thanks centershot

[PAndy]

I also heard good things about that shop in Northeast, PA