357mag loads

[Ian Ruthven]

Yesterday at 5:58 PM
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#1
Howdy all. I am looking for a load for my 357 with pyrodex or 777 so I can shoot in black powder shoots. I have a 5in barrel pistol and a 20in barrel Henry. TIA

[Sam Sackett]

Might I suggest using APP instead of real BP? Cleanup with water and a lot less corrosive. Also easier to load as it doesn’t get compressed in the case prior to installing the bullet. Also lots more smoke!
Sam Sackett

[Wayne Smith]

With any of the alternative BP substitutes use volumetric measurements. They are more energetic by weight and traditional grain weight measurements are not safe.

[Ian Ruthven]

Hi Sam Thanx for your reply. APP???

[Ian Ruthven]

Yes but what amount of BP substitute would I use

[Sam Sackett]

Hi Sam Thanx for your reply. APP???

APP. American Pioneer Powder. Web site here.
http://www.americanpioneerpowder.com/products.html

Use it by VOLUME. Loosely fill case to base of bullet. Do not compress the powder when installing the bullet.

Here is my supplier.
https://bulletsbyscarlett.com/powder-shooters-world

Sam Sackett

[Ian Ruthven]

Awsome thanx Sam

[JonB_in_Glencoe]

I don't know what make/model your 357 is? but if it's a modern S&W or Ruger or Colt, it will easily handle a full case of BP or BP sub. Same goes for the Henry.
Find your case capacity for the boolit you want to use, then I'd start with a full case (not compressed) and work down until I got the best accuracy.

You will likely find that you'll need different load for Rifle, than your pistol.
good luck.

[Nobade]

Modern 357 cases will hold the traditional 38 spl black powder load of 21 grains. That gives you light compression that can be achieved by seating the bullet. That may be a tad much for T7, you want nearly no compression with that so I'd just fill the case to the base of the bullet. Of course the amount depends on what bullet you are using and how deep it seats into the case.

[Recycled bullet]

What kind of velocities do you get with a black powder 357 Magnum?

[Nobade]

What kind of velocities do you get with a black powder 357 Magnum?

Same as normal 38 spl, 158 grains at about 800 fps.

[Recycled bullet]

Same as normal 38 spl, 158 grains at about 800 fps.

Does it work in 38 special brass too or is the case too small?

[Nobade]

Does it work in 38 special brass too or is the case too small?

They hold about 19 grains. Pretty close.

[brassrat]

And why no compression? Is this just substitutes?

[FLINTNFIRE]

Black powder cleans up with water , why a substitute ? , I have shot subs will stick to blackpowder works great as it always has .

Can you overload a 357 with black ? I really do not think so , lighter loads use filler or wads to take up space .

[Nobade]

And why no compression? Is this just substitutes?

They say no compression for T7. I don't know what compressing does to it, just following the instructions. The proper BP loads have about 1/8" of compression. Not tremendous but enough.

And no, you can't overload a 357 with black powder. In fact the proper load is essentially all you can get into the case.

I guess the reason for subs is if you can't buy real black powder where you are and don't want to order it. It's so much easier to go to the store and buy a pound of T7 and go shooting. The one that is attractive, at least for cowboy action shooting, is APP or American Pioneer. It generates almost no fouling, cleans with water, and smokes a lot. We've been learning how to make a homemade version over on the golden powder thread, and it is some interesting stuff to play with for uses like SASS or just plinking. I'm still not giving up my real black though!

[Sam Sackett]

Another plus with APP is that it makes its own lube. You do not have to use BP compatible lube with it. You can use a bare bullet, powder coated, smokeless lube or BP lube. This is a nice featur3 for me, as I normally shoot smokeless powder. I can use the same bullets when using APP.

Sam Sackett

[FLINTNFIRE]

What kind of black powder shoots ? Cas ? Triple 7 my experience was corrosion on the case pretty quick in the loads for a Sharps that came with rifle , pyrodex acted like heat and sunlight made it change when shooting from a muzzle loader , I see different shooters opinions on the other subs , some saying they are great , others saying negatives are shelf life , corrosion , and power .

If it is what you can find and what you wish to use then go for it load it volume to volume with black and go enjoy .