357 Rifle Loads?

[1Shirt]

Just bought a used Win 357,lever gun that I have not seen via a friend of mine. 24" Bbl, that reportedly has only been used for Cowboy action shooting. Am looking for loads that have been worked up for accuracy, and not necessarily vol. in a like rifle. The Hornady Manual shows some rifle loads w/Jacketed for 357 rifles at up to 1900fps. I am only interested in shooting cast in this when I get it, and would be more than satisfied with 1500-1600 fps. Would like loads for 168 gr. Kieth, and for any of the gas checked cast over 150. I shoot a fair amount of 2400, and would like accurate loads with it if any one has data for that powder.
I thank in advance all who respond to this thread.
1Shirt:coffee:

[felix]

I would start out with BlueDot for this application. 9-10 grains. 820 would work at 12-13 grains. ... felix

[Dale53]

If I were going to hunt with this, I would definitely be interested in a 180 GC RF nose like one of the current "Group Buys". That compact rifle would pretty much equal the original 30-30 in power with the advantage of compactness and relatively light weight and a larger bore (better for cast hunting).

I have been working with a prototype Lee 188 GC RF but have only cast some, have not yet had time to shoot any. I will not be shooting them in a rifle as I don't have a .357 rifle. I'll be test firing in a 4" "L" frame Treasury Model S&W. Therefore, any imformation that I might develop will only be marginally useful for a rifle.

Dale53

[six_gun]

A few years ago I bought a 357 Rossi 92 to use for Pistol Cartridge Cowboy Rifle Silhouette shooting. I only shoot cast bullets with this gun. At that time my best mold, for this job, turned out to be a Lee 166 gr SWC. I tried several different molds and powder combinations and settled with the Lee and 5 gr of Bullseye. The velocity was 1200 fps, exactly. The extreme spread was 1 or 2 fps, consistently. This load was very accurate also.

Last year I went into a pawn shop and they had a RCBS 9mm-124gr TC bullet mold. I bought it to load some 9mm stuff. On a whim I loaded several of these bullets with 5 gr of Bullseye and gave them a try on my next trip to the range. Velocity was 1330 fps, exactly. And the groups got smaller.

I decided to try 5 gr of Bullseye with a 6 cavity Lee RNFP mold that I had custom ordered. The reason was that if I could get this to shoot good, I could spend less time casting bullets, with a 6 banger mold. Velocity was 1260 fps, exactly and groups were very acceptable. Two inches at 100 meters with a Williams FP sight.

I would suggest that if you want accuracy with a cast bullet in a 357 mag rifle, try 5 gr of Bullseye. It sure has worked for me.

Sixgun

[26Charlie]

With a Rossi and a S&W 686 and 2 Ruger Blackhawks -
have settled on a full house load of 16.5 gr. of H-110, small rifle primer, and 180 gr. bullets - either plain base or gas checked. Also works with the 173 gr. Keith SWC or the 150 gr. Thompson GC. Surprisingly powerful, no adverse effects, accurate.

[Jon K]

1Shirt,
Did you slug the barrel? What are the dimensions?
Is the Chamber big? Levers usually are big. Is the chamber smoth?
What is the rate of twist?

These are all things you need to know before you start loading heavy bullets to go fast. Your goal of 1500 for a 180 grain bulet may be too much, depending on the above questions. I couldn't get my Uberti 357 with the 180 to go that fast and shoot accurate. Also it is too hard on brass. Starline brass seperated on initial firing. Winchester worked best then Federal next, but that was my Uberti, your gun may react different.

Unique 6.7 grains Saeco 180 gr TCGC/RCBS 180 Sil WSR primer or FED205
IMR4756 7.7 grains Same as above
H4227 13.7 grains Same as above

Velocity for all were 1377-1435 fps and SD 4.5-7
All Shot very accurate, better than I can shoot!

[U]Use this only as reference, Start out at least 10% below, and work your way up.[U]


Good Luck and Have Fun Shooting,
Jon
:castmine:

PS - 2400 will work, I started to do some work with it, and it showed promise, but these others worked good, so I didn't pursue 2400.

[Junior1942]

Would like loads for 168 gr. Kieth, and for any of the gas checked cast over 150. :coffee:Go to this http://www.castbullet.com/shooting/shooting.htm page and look for three articles on my Rossi 357 mag rifle. You'll find data for the 180 group buy now in progress, and you'll find WC820 (n) data.

[1Shirt]

Thanks guys for the words of wisdom and experiance. Will not get my hands on the rifle until sometime in June so will have time to think about putting together some trial loads. Don't know if I will consider hunting the thing, just always wanted a lever gun that would shoot 35 cal pistol boolits. The 5 gr. of bullseys load as a start for a plinker sound really good, and will put together a box of them to start with. Will report on rifle and loads when I get the rifle. Again, Thanks!
1Shirt

[Old Ironsights]

Go to this http://www.castbullet.com/shooting/shooting.htm page and look for three articles on my Rossi 357 mag rifle. You'll find data for the 180 group buy now in progress, and you'll find WC820 (n) data.

I'm going in on the new C358-180-RF buy.

On page 3 of your tests, you lowered your COAL to 1.550. With that COAL do you think the chamber reaming will be necessary?

Steve is building me a 92 right now and if it needs a little throat relief I want him to do it.

[6pt-sika]

I have a Marlin 1894CB in 357 . Its got a 24" barrel . My number one bullet in this rifle is Lyman #358627 . This is a 215 grain SWC GC bullet . A friend gave me this two cavity mold about five years ago to use in the 35 REM . But I like it in the 357. It does have one drawback , if you crimp in the crimp groove it won't cycle thru the Marlin action . So it gets pushed in a little further . I load it with 10.5 grains of H110 and a federal 200 primer.

[Larry Gibson]

I would start out with BlueDot for this application. 9-10 grains. 820 would work at 12-13 grains. ... felix

If your looking for 357 rifle loads with 150 gr SWCGC bullets felix has the answer. Take a hard look at Lymans 358156. It has always been a top performer for me in revolvers, Contenders and rifles. If you want a powder a little slower than BlueDot try 14 to 15.5 gr of H4227. 15.5 gr runs between 1600 and 1700 fps in 18 to 20" barrels.

Larry Gibson

[Junior1942]

On page 3 of your tests, you lowered your COAL to 1.550. With that COAL do you think the chamber reaming will be necessary?

Steve is building me a 92 right now and if it needs a little throat relief I want him to do it.It'll probably work fine at 1.550" COAL without the chamber relief. Besides, I think this new group buy 180 has a .010" shorter nose for better feeding. It wouldn't hurt to ask Steve to remove the knife edge on the bottom entrance of the chamber just in case. Be sure to tell him why you want that done.

The 180 gr group buy bullet w/Lil'Gun sure is a winner in my Rossi 357 mag.

[StarMetal]

When I bought a Model 19 Smith I bought a RCBS 150 SWC plainbase bullet mould. It has proven to be an outstanding bullet in that revolver and more. Then I picked up a 357 mag Rossi leveraction. I loaded that same bullet over a very stiff charge of 2400 powder to a velocity close to 2000 fps and to say it shot good would be an understatement....it shot fantastic. Funny, my load in a friends exact same rifle, proved to be too hot for his rifle.

Joe

[Old Ironsights]

It'll probably work fine at 1.550" COAL without the chamber relief. Besides, I think this new group buy 180 has a .010" shorter nose for better feeding. It wouldn't hurt to ask Steve to remove the knife edge on the bottom entrance of the chamber just in case. Be sure to tell him why you want that done.

The 180 gr group buy bullet w/Lil'Gun sure is a winner in my Rossi 357 mag.

Would you be my Hero and send Steve a couple of Dummies?

I know they will be with the longer bullet, but if he can play with my gun while he's sill got it maybe he can just incorporate adjustments for this loading into his "Standard '92 Package"

It would be muchly appreciated.

[Junior1942]

Would you be my Hero and send Steve a couple of Dummies?

I know they will be with the longer bullet, but if he can play with my gun while he's sill got it maybe he can just incorporate adjustments for this loading into his "Standard '92 Package"

It would be muchly appreciated.I'd be glad to. PM me his address, and make sure he knows they're coming. And give me your real name so I can include a note with the bullets telling Steve whose rifle they're supposed to fit.

[Old Ironsights]

Done. Thanks!

[steveb]

It'll probably work fine at 1.550" COAL without the chamber relief. Besides, I think this new group buy 180 has a .010" shorter nose for better feeding. It wouldn't hurt to ask Steve to remove the knife edge on the bottom entrance of the chamber just in case. Be sure to tell him why you want that done.

The 180 gr group buy bullet w/Lil'Gun sure is a winner in my Rossi 357 mag.

Junior, I just sent you an email wondering if this 180 grainer had the shorter nose or any mods. Then I saw this thread. I didnt think I was gonna be able to pull it off but it looks like im gonna get in on that group buy to:drinks:

[Dale53]

Junior1842;
I like your standards for loading for the .357 Rifle. The articles should be quite helpful. Makes me want to get another lever gun (I have three).:roll:

Dale53