Load data for light boolit (95-105 gr) in 357/38

[UnderDawgAl]

Hey, guys. I saw in a different thread that one forum member sized the boolits from his LEE .365 95-grain mould down to .358 for some fun shooting in 357/38. I also know that a lot of folks use the LEE 358-105-SWC in 357/38.

I've just sized a few of the LEE .365-95-1R boolits down to .358 for a run myself. However, I'm at a loss concerning load data.

I plan on using W231. I'm thinking about trying 2.9 grains to 3.4 grains in both 357 and 38 cases. Does that sound reasonable?

What are your favorite loads for light boolits in 357/38?

[GabbyM]

For 38 special the Lyman book shows WW 231 start with a 90 grain 356242 at 3.5 gr for 689 fps. Max a 5.7 gr for 1104 fps.

[UnderDawgAl]

Thanks, Gabby, for that information. I don't have the Lyman cast bullet manual, but I need to get it.

Your info gives me something to work from.

[Crash_Corrigan]

I used a Lee 148 Gr LWC TL mold for years with light loading of W 231.

From a Smith 586 6" bbl with 3.0 grains it was like shooting a .22. Powder puff loading for teaching kids and women.

With a loading of 5.0 gr it was a mite hotter. You got some recoil, leading and much louder report.

I enjoy loading them at about 3.7 gr for a decent practice loading with light recoil, good accuracy, no leading and very thrifty on powder.

These were TL boolits and I used LEE Alox for lube but I did not have to size them at all. Fast and easy.

Good but true story: http://castboolits.gunloads.com/showthread.php?t=41217

Same mold different methods.

[putteral]

I have been using the Lee 358-105-SWC sized to .356 for my .380 and 9mm. Use 2.4 grs of Red Dot in the .380 and 4.2 grs of Tittegroup in the 9mm. Best accruacy I have ever had in my PPK/S using the 105 gr. Put 14 shots inside a 3" circle at 10 yards the first time I tried those boolits, which is outstanding for me .

[GrizzLeeBear]

I load the 105 SWC with 4.1 gr. of 231 in 38 spl. and with 4.5 gr. in .357 for Bullseye pistol matches. In my GP100 these loads will shoot 10 rounds into an inch at 25 yds. from a rest. Very little recoil. Don't have a chrono, but these should be right around 1,000 fps maybe a bit more.

[UnderDawgAl]

Crash said, regarding the TL-358-148-WC,


I enjoy loading them at about 3.7 gr for a decent practice loading with light recoil, good accuracy, no leading and very thrifty on powder.

Crash, I've been using 3.4 gr in my 357 for that boolit. I plan on loading up some with 3.6-3.7 and give them a try. I'm also using LLA. No leading thus far.

GrizzLee, that's quite a bit more than I had planned on trying. That's definitely food for thought. Looks like I have a little load development to do.

For what it's worth, I'll be shooting these 364-95-1R boolits, sized to .358, in a Model 686 6" and Colt Det. Special 3rd gen.