125 or 158 grain lead bullets in a 357 lever action?

[jeff43]

Anybody shooting a Rossi 357/38 lever action rifle?Just curious which one is more accurate 125 or 158 loaded in 38 cases.

[gregintenn]

                    [URL=http://s612.photobucket.com/user/gregintenn/media/for%20sale/IMG_2033.jpg.html][/URL]

Mine shows better promise with 158 grain loads.                                                 

[jeff43]

Are you shooting lead cast bullets?What powder and how many grains?

[tartanphantom]

I have a Rossi M92(now R92) in .357/.38, and have shot both. I find also find the heavier 158gr to be more accurate at 100 yds or less. For me the 125gr. tends to shoot a bit more hapazardly-- usually slightly to the left of center. The 158gr. doesn't give me this problem. I'm referring to standard round or truncated cone cartridges--  however, I don't do cowboy action, and have never shot hard cast lead through it, so your mileage may vary. As far as brands go, I've probably shot more Remington UMC and Fiocchi than anything else.

Edited November 3, 2013 by tartanphantom

[Sidinman]

I've got a Puma with 24" Oct. barrel, I shoot mostly 158 gr lead with unqiue or H110. Its pretty darn acurate at 100 yds. I killed a deer two years ago with that load at about 85, 90 yds. Shot plum through the neck, never made another step.

[gregintenn]

Are you shooting lead cast bullets?What powder and how many grains?

Lead 158 grain roundnose with a light charge of Bullseye.

 

It's like shooting a 22lr's big brother.

Edited November 3, 2013 by gregintenn

[jeff43]

I've been loading 3.5 gr. of Bullseye behind a 158 gr. lead bullet too.I was just curious to see what everybody melded was using.
Thanks

[jeff43]

I've been loading 3.5 gr. of Bullseye behind a 158 gr. lead bullet too.I was just curious to see what everybody else was using.
Thanks Edited November 6, 2013 by jeff43

[jeff43]

To y'all that have Rossi 357 rifles, do you know anything about the newer Rossi/ Taurus rifles that have the lock in the back of the hammer? Are these just as good as the older ones? I have a 16" rifle and a Ranch Hand.I was thinking about selling or trading the RH and getting another Rossi rifle in 357. Just don't like the lock in the hammer.

[tartanphantom]

Mine has the little hammer block safety (F/S) lever on the top of the receiver, and also has half-cock mode. The safety is annoying as hell-- I never use it.

No lock at the back of the hammer though.

[gregintenn]

I purposely bought an older one without a safety. I just can't make myself keep a lever rifle with both an exposed hammer and a safety.

[jeff43]

The safety on top don't really bother me, you can get a plug for them. 357's are REALLY hard to find. especially used.

[tartanphantom]

The safety on top don't really bother me, you can get a plug for them. 357's are REALLY hard to find. especially used.

 

And still cheaper to shoot-- even with today's inflated ammo prices. A 100-round box of .38 special is substantially cheaper than the .44mag version.

[jeff43]

And still cheaper to shoot-- even with today's inflated ammo prices. A 100-round box of .38 special is substantially cheaper than the .44mag version.

Yep, guess I'll stock up on some more 158 grain SWC bullets to load.

[stumpy]

I loaded 125, 158 and 180 grain cast bullets in 357 cases for a Rossi Trapper, off to the range for accuracy tests.  By far and away the 158 grain gave the tightest groups.  The mold pattern was the Lyman 358156, a gas check semi-wadcutter, wheelweight alloy, crimped in the top groove to give the shortest loaded length.  These cycled through the Rossi without any problems.  Sorry, I don't have the load data nearby, but remember this was a stout load (they all were) and would be perfectly satisfactory for hunting.  I would expect the same results with reduced recreational loads in this rifle.

 

Stumpy

[RichardR]

I have also had tighter groups w/158gr's out of carbines, where as my revolvers have always been more accurate w/125gr's for some odd reason.

[jaysouth]

I cast and load 158 gr. bullets over 5 grs. of HP-38/231 in .38 Spl cases. I shoot these is a single shot Handi rifle with good effect and a lot cheaper than one can buy .22 rf for these days.

The Handi is chambered for .357 Max which is a potent rifle cartridge with the same ballistics as a .35 Rem. The shorter .38 spl cases give reasonable accuracy despite the long jump from case mouth to the rifling of the Max.

Because of the high price and iffy availability of .22 rf., I am using this rifle and a Smith revolver to teach my grand children how to shoot a rifle and handgun.

[jeff43]

Yeah, I load and shoot more 38 cases than 357's. 5 grains of 231?Isn't that a little hot?I've never used 231,I've heard its a good powder. I may have to get some.

[musicman]

231 is HP38, one of the best powders around for 38. :-)

[jeff43]

Ok