357 magnum load help

[Trakker]

Hi,

I am trying to load some reduced power 357 magnum loads.
I have Magnus 513 LRNFP hard cast bullets over 5 gr of Hodgdon (Clays) Universal with a small pistol primer.

With the magnus 513 bullets, the bullet is seated pretty deep to get the crimp groove aligned with the case. COL is about 1.484" (I just mic'd it, I had a type in there).


Is being shorter than the 1.58 by 0.1" too much? From my load book this is a very light load.

[ireload]

You should be good. Keep in mind that different bullet styles you are going to have different COL due to the nose profile.

[f4tweet]

Remember, In magnum cases it is easy to doublecharge. Ask me how I know.

[EOD3]

I recommend CAUTION. Deep seating will reduce combustion space which WILL result in higher/much higher pressures.

I'm not familiar with the bullet you mention so I can't offer load advice but, I would think the bullet manufacturer would be able to help you. You don't want to stick a bullet in the barrel or blow the top-strap into the next county, or both.

[Homebrew2]

I have to assume that you're using 'Universal Clays' and not 'Clays'. And if so, your load, according to the Hodgden site, is about midrange, not 'very light'.
~0.2" seems a lot short to me.
I see your bullet mfg website is no help whatsoever re: loads.
Does your load data ref a flat nose or a round nose? I might imagine ~0.1" short due to FP compared to RN ...
I don't reload 357 but I do load 'cowboy' 44's ... I am finding no cowboy loads from Hodgden in the 158's.
What is your case length?

[Trakker]

Case length trimmed to 1.280"
The load data is cast LRNFP 125gr.
The powder is 'Universal Clays', the website states 4.8gr, 11,000 CUP , 1048 fps

The round nose and flat point seem like an oxymoron.


A correction to my first type. The recommended COL is 1.580" I am measuring my bullets to 1.484", 0.1" shorter.

For reference, the 38 special load with the same bullet and powder calls out a COL of 1.445" with 4.7 gr of Universal Clays, 16800 CUP, 1036 fps.

My Hornady reloading manual is not very clear as it states refer to .38 special load data for lead bullets in 357 magnum...I don't want to load too light and slug a bullet in the barrel.

My Lee reloading manual is also a bit misleading...there seems to be Universal Clays or Universal.
How many "Universal" brands are there...I should have stuck with HP38.