357 magnum

[ac3boyz]

I've recently picked up a 38/357 lever gun (thanks to 221fireball) and want to reload some ammo for it.  From what I hear, it's just as cheap to load 357 vs. 38sp. but I've only loaded and have supplies for 38.  From what I've learned, 158gr RN bullets, 38special brass and CCI500 primers is ok but I'm looking for the what's best powder to use. 

 

Looking for your opinions on powder and if I'm correct that the rest of the components are interchangeable.

BTW, powders I have on hand are red dot, #5, titegroup, bullseye, unique, x-700, and win231.

 

Thanks for any advise,

 

[seez52]

Its very versatile in components and interchangeable with 38spl. I've done a lot for 357 wheel guns none for levers. I'm guessing you can find data on nearly all those powders. Bulleseye and 231 may be a bit fast burning especially for the best use in a lever gun. I used to use 296 for lighter bullets and boy did it make a fireball. Might be just the ticket for a longer barrel.

[ac3boyz]

I'm not familiar with 296.  Who makes it?

thanks

[musicman]

Winchester makes 296, which is also the same powder as Hodgdon H110. Google it; discussed ad nauseum all over the web. Great choice for 357 mag, as well as 2400, and to a lesser extent AA9. The beauty of 357 is the ability to load everything from a light 38 load (using bullseye, titegroup, AA2, HP38) to medium loads (bullseye again, maybe Unique) and then the hot stuff mentioned previously.

You would be well served to spend 15-30 minutes googling and just read some of the info out there. There will be great answers to questions you didn't even know to ask. :-) Edited November 26, 2014 by musicman

[ac3boyz]

Thanks Musicman,  I do use google extensively.  I'm a pharmacist and google is actually my first source for drug information.  However, I've found that with things related to firearms and ammo, this TGO generally provides more than adequate information without being overwhelming.  As evidence, between yours, seez52, and my reloading books, I have enough info to keep me busy for quite some time.

 

Thanks bro

[jaysouth]

If you load 4 to 4.5 grs. 231 under a 158 RN lead or jacketed in .38 cases, you will have a fun time.  This approximates the old 'mid range' load.  If will be fun for practice and cheap to produce.   For stouter loads in .38 cases, you can load Unique starting with the minimum load +P in your manual and working up until you get the most accurate load.

 

If you get .357 brass, you can hot rod jacketed bullets over 296/H110 and 2400.  A 125 gr. JHP loaded to the max in a rifle makes an awesome 100 yard varmint load.  A 158 or 180 gr JHP or JSP loaded hot makes an awesome 100 yard deer load.

Edited November 27, 2014 by jaysouth

[musicman]

Thanks Musicman, I do use google extensively. I'm a pharmacist and google is actually my first source for drug information.

Haha! I completely understand this, but it does strike me a little funny that so many important, detail-specific professions use google searches as one of their main resources. :-D The interweb was just becoming available to people when I was in high school, and I remember some teachers wouldn't let us use web articles as sources for papers, saying the 'net was "unreliable and full of misinformation." (that, from one teacher's syllabus)

I'm not doubting or questioning you at all, my mind just always makes stupid jokes/scenarios out of things.

And have fun experimenting with the .357 cartridge! It's probably my favorite round to play with. Like you, I have a lever gun in 357, as well as a few revolvers. Jaysouth is absolutely right, a hot 357 out of a rifle is a LOT of fun! Folks are always amazed at the power generated out of that combo. Mix in some light 38s in the tube as well and get a feel for the dynamic potential of the caliber.

I have to imagine a suppressed 357 lever rifle could be a LOT of fun! One could load really heavy 180-200gr bullets at subsonic velocities for lethal rusults with very little noise and not have to deal with any automatic cycling action noise, but still have capacity on in the gun for multiple targets.

Hmmmmm.....

[SonnyCrockett]

Looking for some 2400......have not seen it for sale in a LONG time

all I use for .357....any help would be appreciated 

Edited November 27, 2014 by SonnyCrockett

[ac3boyz]

Haha! I completely understand this, but it does strike me a little funny that so many important, detail-specific professions use google searches as one of their main resources. :-D The interweb was just becoming available to people when I was in high school, and I remember some teachers wouldn't let us use web articles as sources for papers, saying the 'net was "unreliable and full of misinformation." (that, from one teacher's syllabus)
 

 

Know what you mean.  I know my last term paper in college was on a type-writer.  The thing is, now all the drug information is on line so that google is the best starting place.  I've almost always found more than sufficient info here on TGO for most question I have.

Edited November 27, 2014 by ac3boyz