Loading .357 - Oregon trail bullets, 125 FP or 158 SWC

[PutTogether]

I'm new to loading .357.

I want to start very low, but ultimately load up to a fast load with a lot of bang. (I will reiterate here that my plan is start at the min and work up)

I am getting a bullet order together from Oregon Trail, and am torn at what bullets to buy for the .357.

Which will leave me the most room to make medium and hot loads with the same bullet/powder combo? The 125 FP or the 158 SWC?

The bullets themselves will be shot mostly through an SW627, but also a Ruger Security Six, and a Rossi carbine. No plans for shooting anything but paper with them.....I just enjoy shooting hot .357 ammo. Not interested AT ALL in light target loads. (that is what the .45 is for)

I'm also open to powder recommendations.

[BigBronco]

If you are going to make hot 357 mag rounds, I do not recommend a lead bullet. You should load a copper jacketed one or a copper plated one at the least to prevent barrel leading. For years I have loaded Unique powder in 357.

[Bend]

For lead, go heavy and go moderate unless the bullet is gas checked. Even then, stay below +P.

Universal (not Clays) works well.

[beerman]

If you are going to make hot 357 mag rounds, I do not recommend a lead bullet. You should load a copper jacketed one or a copper plated one at the least to prevent barrel leading. For years I have loaded Unique powder in 357.

This is good advice....I just checked my personal load notes.(Havnt shot 357s in a while) it said for 158 gr jacketed bullets,Use 5.7 grn of unique....or 10 gr of Alliant #2400 ( I had noted the accuracy of the latter)....hope this helps

[bruceflinch]

Previous good advice here.
Also for loading in the carbine the SWC will probably feed better.
I've shot a wheelgun in Action Pistol for years. Round nose is all I load. Cant speed load another shape very quickly.

For 357 I've used 2400, W296, & Unique.

[sequoia_nomad]

I have a Marlin 1894 carbine that hates SWC. I load 158 gr SWC for the revolvers and Bear Creek moly 158 LRN for the rifle with great results. I would follow BigBronco's advice for hot loads, you'd be best off with something jacketed unless you really enjoy scrubbing at leading.

[PutTogether]

Let me add that I'm not worried about leading at all. If the barrels lead, fine, I'll clean them.

I'm also not really worried about feeding in the carbine, because that will be a small fraction of the shooting.

I am wanting to slowly lead up to a HOT load - regardless of leading issues.

Unique seems to be a recurring theme, and the powder of choice, so I think that is where I'll go.

[sequoia_nomad]

You sound like a man that's never had a leaded barrel. Enjoy.

[Sunday]

There will be no problem getting max loads with either bullet and the proper powder. that being said as mentioned use jacked bullets for 357 velocities . 296 and the like will do wonders in a 357.

[10fcp]

If your going to buy Oergon Trail you can buy Zero or Precision Delta for about the same cost and no cleaning mess. If your set on lead check out Penn. They can be pushed real hard and a bit cheaper than OT.

http://www.pennbullets.com/38/38-caliber.html

[PutTogether]

You sound like a man that's never had a leaded barrel. Enjoy.

Ok, I'll bite. Where, in your experience, is the velocity that one begins to develop leading issues in a hard cast bullet.


Now, which .38 cal hard cast lead bullet would you choose to push up to that velocity for some fun paper, soda can, and milk jug plinking fun.

[PutTogether]

If your going to buy Oergon Trail you can buy Zero or Precision Delta for about the same cost and no cleaning mess. If your set on lead check out Penn. They can be pushed real hard and a bit cheaper than OT.

http://www.pennbullets.com/38/38-caliber.html

Holy crap, you are right. In 45 caliber, precision has FMJ ball ammo for LESS than oregon trail LSWC. That is impressive.

In .38 caliber though, it seems they have only swaged bullets, which would give me WORSE leading problems wouldn't they?

Zero bullets wouldn't let me access the part of their site with prices.

[sequoia_nomad]

I want to start very low, but ultimately load up to a fast load with a lot of bang. (I will reiterate here that my plan is start at the min and work up)

I am wanting to slowly lead up to a HOT load - regardless of leading issues.

Now, which .38 cal hard cast lead bullet would you choose to push up to that velocity for some fun paper, soda can, and milk jug plinking fun.

Why do you feel the need to load HOT rounds for the above mentioned recreational shooting? Want reduced brass life? Can't get enough muzzle flash?

I work my loads up for accuracy and function, and have personally never needed to push anything to extremes to reach those goals. I've never leaded up a barrel myself so I can't testify in terms of velocity, but I have assisted in cleaning a couple out and can tell you it is something you would probably like to avoid. If you don't really need the extra velocity for accuracy or terminal impact, it's just a waste.

[bumpo628]

You can get pretty good deals on lead bullets at Missouri Bullet; 158 grn SWC at $29.50 per 500.

http://www.missouribullet.com/details.php?prodId=52&category=5&secondary=9&keywords=

[PutTogether]

Why do you feel the need to load HOT rounds for the above mentioned recreational shooting?

Same reason I like to shoot period. Fun. I have a lot of big, heavy, 357 mag guns that can take it without being punishing. I'm not the guy that likes to shoot .38 specials out of .357 mag guns. If I want lighter loads, I'll shoot some of my tamer .45 ACP rounds, or shoot .38s out of a .38 gun. When I go to shoot a .357 revolver, I want to hear some thunder.

Want reduced brass life?

Fine with me, I have thousands and thousands of rounds of once fired (by me) .357 brass from new factory ammo. I've been saving brass for years. LONG before I got a reloading press. I knew I would get into loading one day, so why not start saving the brass? It sounded like a good idea, and now I get to enjoy the fruits of it.

Can't get enough muzzle flash?

Exactly. Like I said, these aren't for any purpose other than making really loud bangs, and blowing milk jugs and such all to hell.

I work my loads up for accuracy and function, and have personally never needed to push anything to extremes to reach those goals.

I COMPLETELY understand you. I do the same, with my .45 ACP loads. Someday I'm sure I'll want to go back and make myself a nice, light, target load too, it just isn't what I want to do right now. (Though I imagine that on my way to a hot load, I'll probably find a lighter one I like too)

The advice you are giving is good for general rules. For someone that doesn't want/can't handle a lot of recoil, or doesn't have a ton of guns or brass. I agree with everything you are saying, as a rule. My own situation is just a bit of an outlier from the norm, which is why I specifically mentioned the bullets I wanted to use, and that I specifically wanted to make HOT loads. I get that what I am asking for isn't 'normal.'

If you are still reading this, I'll share a couple reasons (beyond just fun) I want to push these particular bullets as far as I (safely, and within spec) can.

First, cost. They are quite a bit cheaper than jacketed, and on top of the cheaper price, they also have deals going. Free 500 when you buy 2000, free 1000 when you buy 5000, etc. It adds up.

Second, reputation. These bullets have a bit of a reputation as being able to handled high velocity without making a smooth bore out of your gun. At the same time, you constantly hear people say that "anything over 900fps with lead and your will lead your barrel." I KNOW that isn't true, but I would like to find out, first hand, for myself, what the limits really are. I don't think there is anything wrong, silly, or dumb about that.

I have the brass, the guns, the time, the resources, and am willing to face the consequences (potential leading, barrel scrubbing, and brass that doesn't last forever) of finding out for myself, and then sharing what I find with everyone here.

I was just looking for someone's advice on which bullet (of the two I mentioned) to use as a starting point..

Again, I appreciate your input, hopefully this shines more light on what I'm trying to accomplish.