Yet Another One

MacD · Posted: Wed May 15, 2013 7:11 pm Post subject: Yet Another One

I have been looking at a 357 magnum at my local shop. It is a used Ruger GP100. They want too much and my haggling hasn't brought the price down to deal level. Well tonight I was browsing the online shops and decided to spring for a new Blackhawk. It should be here in about 10 days. Any 357 tips or favourate loads to share?

gelandangan · Posted: Wed May 15, 2013 8:01 pm Post subject: Re: Yet Another One

My 6 inch SW 686 groups very nicely with 137 gn BNWC on top of 2.8gn Red Dot and a federal small primer - COAL 40mm .
Almost no recoil, this is a target load below powder factor and created for accuracy rather than energy.

lesterg3 · Posted: Thu May 16, 2013 1:23 am Post subject: Re: Yet Another One

This works well with my Ruger Police Special.

Primer WSPM
125 GR. HDY XTP
Titegroup 7.5

MacD · Posted: Thu May 16, 2013 5:02 am Post subject: Re: Yet Another One

Have you tried 38 special loads? Lester, what is the COAL for that load? I have some hard cast 205 grain GC'd bullets. My manuals go to 200 but I am guessing these pills are too heavy to shoot well.

lesterg3 · Posted: Thu May 16, 2013 5:31 am Post subject: Re: Yet Another One

Yes, I also load .38 Special but it is much like the .357 I am using the 125 gr HDY XTP.
Titegroup @ 4.5 gr.

I have not used these in the .357, because I use them in the .38 Spec, Dee's pistol.

Bushmaster · Posted: Thu May 16, 2013 7:24 am Post subject: Re: Yet Another One

Aah...The Ruger Blackhawk in .357 magnum...I have one of those with a 6" barrel.

Pet loads...Target: 15 grains of 2400 under a Remington 140 grain SJHP.
CCI 550 primer. 1330 fps.
Hunting: 18.5 grains of W-296 under a Remington 140 grain
SJHP. CCI 550 primer. 1450 fps.
Both loads are very accurate.

MacD · Posted: Thu May 16, 2013 9:56 am Post subject: Re: Yet Another One

I ordered the 4 5/8 barrel as it was the only one in stock. I have a police sevice holster that it will fit nicely. My manuals have a lot of load choices and when you add 38 special including +P and +P+ the choices are somewhat overwhelming.

Gil Martin · Posted: Thu May 16, 2013 4:42 pm Post subject: Re: Yet Another One

Good choice and I am sure you will be very happy with your new revolver. I have several .357 handguns and shoot my 168 grain hard cast lead SWC bullets. I have been using Unique for years and like the load. Hope this helps. All the best..
Gil

PaulS · Posted: Thu May 16, 2013 10:34 pm Post subject: Re: Yet Another One

X 2 on the 18.5 of WW296 and a 140 grain bullet. It seems to be the best compromise of velocity and bullet weight. Even though the cartridge was "designed " for 158 grain bullets my Ruger likes the 140's better. I get 1 - 1 1/2" groups at 25 yards.

MacD · Posted: Fri May 17, 2013 3:42 am Post subject: Re: Yet Another One

Thanks for the input all. I checked my Lee TL356-124-2r cast last night and they are thrown at. 358 with air dropped WW. They should work nice with mild loads. If I get leading I will lap out the mold another. 001. They should also make some nice plinking rounds for my 35 Remington which slugged at a tight. 358. Powder is a bit of an issue as I can't find any WW296 or Unique locally. I have WW231, Bullseye, Clays and VV340 on hand. Lots of loads use these but they don't seem to be ideal for either 38 special or 357. I was surprised to see some combinations for the 357 called for regular primers instead of magnum. I am about to order my dies for 38 special. They apparently can be adjustef to use for 357. The expander can also be used to flare the mouth of a 35 Remington case to prevent shaving of lead bullets.

SWMBO asks me if I will ever stop playing with "Toys". I just laugh and point to her jewlery box. We all have our passions and are lucky when we can pursue them.

PaulS · Posted: Fri May 17, 2013 7:59 pm Post subject: Re: Yet Another One

MacD,
WW231 (HP38) might be a decent powder for the lead bullets. It will give you near top velocities for lead bullets but it may be a bit on the "dirty" side at those pressures. Any 296 or H110 loads will likely cause leading unless you use gas checks or paper patch. The produce about the same pressure but the velocities are a lot higher.

If you are going to use 38 special cases then HP38 (WW231) is a good powder. It's what I use for target loads in both the 357 and 38 special cases.

Vince · Posted: Fri May 17, 2013 8:53 pm Post subject: Re: Yet Another One

Mac, give some thought to H4227 for magnum loads mate. It is called AR2205 here in Australia and I used it in my 586 S&W revolver with great performance.

For your 357 Magnum loads, look at H4227 (ADI AR2205), 140gn boolit start load 16.2gn - max load 18gns. I used this powder with it's AR2205 hat on, and I found it to be clean burning and accurate.

Bushmaster · Posted: Sat May 18, 2013 6:50 am Post subject: Re: Yet Another One

Another +2...W-231 is an excellent powder for the short barreled revolvers (4" and under).

English Mike · Posted: Sun May 19, 2013 7:26 pm Post subject: Re: Yet Another One

I've put several hundred rounds through a 6" barrel GP100 over the past week or so & love it.
Been loading .38spl cases with 3.8gr Green Dot & .357 with 5.8 of the same powder behind a 158gr LSWC.
In a full lugged gun of that size, I hardly notice the difference.
14gr of 2400 behind a 140gr XTP is noticeably hotter but in no way oppressive.

Mind you; I shoot my mate's .44mag S&W 629 & never feel anything unless I shoot it a LOT & then my hand's sore the next day.

PaulS · Posted: Sun May 19, 2013 9:22 pm Post subject: Re: Yet Another One

If you want to feel the recoil on that 357 use 18.5 to 19.5 grains of H110 (WW296) and a 140 grain JHP. If you like heavier bullets drop the charge down to 16.0 to 16.6 grains of H110 (WW296) with a 158 JHP or JSP bullet.
Either of those loads will do well in my Ruger but you should be aware that they are the loads for the old 40000 CUP standard and not the new lower SAAMI pressure standard of 30000 CUP for the weaker guns. Your Ruger should love those loads. I typically use 19.1 grains for my accuracy load with the 140 grain bullets. I can keep them in a 1" group at 25 yards off hand with a single hand grip.