.357 wadcutter load

[AZMark]

I have the book 'Modern Reloading' by Richard Lee. I looked for a load for a wadcutter using .357 brass, and his starting load for bullseye is 5.2 grains, rated at 1354 fps. This goes against everything I've been reading online today which says to never push a WC past 800 fps. Can somebody give me some insight into this? I want .357 WC loads for my 6" GP100.

[Dale53]

If you are using a solid based wadcutter, the strict velocity limits do not apply. However, they certainly DO apply if you are using a hollow base wadcutter.

Hodgdon's #26 Reloading manual has a number of listings for hollow based wadcutters that fall within your needs (or close to it). Go to Hodgdon online at:

http://data.hodgdon.com/cartridge_load.asp

You will find a good many choices under 900 fps (you can interpolate for exactly what you require - just reduce by a couple of tenths of a grain of the faster burning powders recommended). The use of a chronograph is certainly recommended. The factory target hollow based wadcutter normally runs about 770 fps.

I know of at least three different handguns with bulged barrels from failing to heed those warnings - you are absolutely correct to be concerned.

Dale53

[AZMark]

what would be a nice, mild load of bullseye in the .357? What if I went down to a little less than 3 grains? Too light? I'm trying to keep it simple and measure with a dipper.

[Buckshot]

..............In my Ruger BH a nice target load I use with a 148 gr WC is 3.3grs of W231. Heck, just use the old standard 38 Special target load of 2.7grs of Bullseye. If that doesn't do well, increase your loads a tenth grain and fire 10 round groups. You'll probably find that somewhere around or a bit over 3.0 grs will work fine.

..............Buckshot

[MtJerry]

The fine print says:

12-20-2006
357 Mag
148gr Wadcutter / Lyman
4.5gr / Win 231
25 yards
Iron Sights

http://i44.photobucket.com/albums/f17/MtJerry/fall.jpg

[Dale53]

Understand, the OP is using .357 brass. Using modern Bullseye, many are upping the old standard target load from 2.7-3.0 grs of Bullseye IN .38 SPECIAL BRASS. So, using between 3.2-3.5 grs of Bullseye IN .357 BRASS seems to be the way to go for me.

My 686 gets fed a LOT of Dbl Ended wadcutters (solid base, of course) and I regularly load 3.5 grs in .38 Special cases (remember, solid bases do not have the velocity limitation) . When the "Planets are aligned" this can happen (25 yards standing):

http://i269.photobucket.com/albums/jj80/Dale53/img032.jpg

Just a suggestion...

Dale53

[Echo]

+1 on all the above. And I guess it depends on what you want to use those WC's for. Self-defense? Then 1300 fps is appropriate. Target? Then group size decides, same for plinker.
And good targets, guys.

[UnderDawgAl]

For my cast DEWC in 357 brass, which I use in a 686, I use 3.3-3.9 grains of W231. Haven't benchrest tested them, but I shoot great groups offhand at 15 yards. I use the Lee Pro Auto Disk powder measure, with the disk volumes of .32, .34, and .37.

[AZMark]

I was curious enough to write to Lee this morning and ask about that load. When I find out what kind of bullet it was tested with and how it's supposed to be seated, I'll let y'all know. For HD or shooting larger varmints, a wadcutter at that velocity must be like hitting something with a car!

[ebner glocken]

In a mag case the rule of thumb that I have followed has been "go up 10% for the larger case". I'm sure that is not the case for all powders but it does hold true for powders in the bullseye and ww 231 range. BTW I really like 3.0 grains of bullseye in a .357 case w/ 148 gr DEWCs.

Ebner

[Blackwater]

FWIW, I think Mr. Lee's use of the warmish loads is to keep the solid based Lee WC point on for a longer range. Full WC's need to spin pretty fast for best stability at longer ranges, say over 50 yds. The HBWC's stay point on partly because they're heavy in the nose due to those hollow bases, kinda' like the old sock with sand in the toe analogy. Solid base WC's lack that trait, and tend to yaw or even tumble more easily and readily than the HBWC's. Does it make more sense now?

[S.R.Custom]

Given the short range constraints of the wad cutter style bullet, the most consistently accurate loading I've ever found for the .357 magnum was the 148 gr solid DEWC over 10.0 grains of 2400.

[AZMark]

Given the short range constraints of the wad cutter style bullet, the most consistently accurate loading I've ever found for the .357 magnum was the 148 gr solid DEWC over 10.0 grains of 2400.

I'll have to get some HBWCs and some DEWCs...I've got almost a pound of 2400, so I can experiment. How do you seat those DEWCs?

[Dale53]

Do NOT load HBWC's with 10.0 grs of 2400. That load would only be appropriate for solid base wadcutters!!

Solid base wadcutters for use with revolvers. I set the first band out of the case and crimp on the trailing edge using a taper crimp. Using .38 special cases and 3.5 Bullseye (slightly more powder because the bullet is not flush seated) I get well under 1" at 25 yards in my 6" 686. The front band is to help align the bullet in the chamber since I am using the shorter .38 Special cases.

Dale53

[AZMark]

Do NOT load HBWC's with 10.0 grs of 2400. That load would only be appropriate for solid base wadcutters!!

Solid base wadcutters for use with revolvers. I set the first band out of the case and crimp on the trailing edge using a taper crimp. Using .38 special cases and 3.5 Bullseye (slightly more powder because the bullet is not flush seated) I get well under 1" at 25 yards in my 6" 686. The front band is to help align the bullet in the chamber since I am using the shorter .38 Special cases.

Dale53

Don't worry; I hadn't thought about loading the HBWCs over the 2400, but thanks for the caveat. You can never be too careful, right?

[Dale53]

AZMark;
We have to keep in mind that it is not only the people in the thread but people just lurking may read this and "ASSUME" and you know what happens when people "ASSUME", don't we:mrgreen:. I am kind of sensitive to this issue as I saw THREE handguns with bulged barrels at my local club. This happened in just a period of weeks.

In fact, I was standing next to one of our best Bullseye shooters (with an auto pistol), he fired a shot, looked through his scope, and prepared to fire the next shot. I happened to notice something funny about the end of his barrel. I let out a YELL!, he stopped and the entire skirt was at the end of the barrel with just a bit sticking out (that I had noticed). The front of the bullet was a "10" and the skirt was poised to bulge ANOTHER barrel. Now, all was clear, and the mystery was solved (we couldn't figure out how the barrels had been bulged - the shots had been fired and spotted on the target). NO ONE suspected a skirt separation. So, it DOES happen.

Dale53

[AZMark]

I wrote Lee to ask about the .357 load in question; they referred me to Alliant. Alliant says that 5.2 gr. is within pressure specs, but feels the velocity is too high for wadcutters. the customer service manager recommended 3.0 to 3.2 gr. of bullseye in .357 brass.

[Larry Gibson]

All depends on the WC.

If the WC is soft alloy or a swaged lead alloy then the old target loads and 800 fps maximum apply. Same if it is a HBWC, even if cast and it is of a softer alloy.

However, if the WC is a PB cast bullet then the loads apply for it based on weight and bearing surface the same as with other cast bullets. Some years back I shot a lot of 160 gr 358432s cast of WWs (the old ones) out of the .357 at magnum velocities with 2400. These were sized .359 and lubed with Javelina. I shot lots of them out of my issue Colt Trooper and a Ruger BH. They ran 1250 - 1300 fps (Oehler M10) out of the 4 and 4 5/8ths inch barrels. That load (15 gr of 2400) was very accurate also.

Larry Gibson

[S.R.Custom]

How do you seat those DEWCs?

The DEWCs I was using at the time had one grease groove in the middle, and an identical crimp groove at each end, that when utilized, left about 3/32" of bullet sticking out of the end of the case.

In accordance with the old dictum that the base of a bullet is more critical to accuracy than the nose, I seated 'em with the sprue cut in the front.

[Dale53]

SuperMag;
>>>In accordance with the old dictum that the base of a bullet is more critical to accuracy than the nose, I seated 'em with the sprue cut in the front.<<<

That's the way I load them, also. They are a bit "ugly" but boy do they shoot well! After all, shooting is what we should be about, right?:mrgreen:

Dale53

[exile]

Anybody ever shoot a 105 grain wadcutter? A friend just bought some so I thought I would ask?

exile