164gr 357?

[kielbasavw]

I have some lswc 357 bullets that weigh anywhere from 163-165gr. And cannot find a load for these. I currently only have bullseye powder.

[CEDaytonaRydr]

I have some lswc 357 bullets that weigh anywhere from 163-165gr. And cannot find a load for these. I currently only have bullseye powder.

I would just use 158gr load data, and start low (at suggested starting).

[74c5]

If you aren't shooting through a gas gun (if there is such a thing for .357), you should be ok with doing nothing. If "should" isn't good enought, drop down the load by scaling and then adding a knock down factor for burn rate.
Since the bullet weight difference is only about 4%, there is very little difference in the physics. You could drop the 158 powder charge by 4% plus another 2 or 3 %. Frankly, you likely won't be able to notice any difference but, I'm conservative on loading since powders have an exponential burn rate relative to pressure. This assumes that the bullet types (lead, plate, clad) are the same for the 158 load.

[3006mv]

That is good advice and info, i have done this also.

There is a .357 barrel available for the desert eagle, but you are not supposed to shoot lead out of those.

[kielbasavw]

Just shooting out of a colt trooper mk iii. One of my books gives load data for 160gr, then jumps up to 180

[hermosabeach]

I have never loaded with bullseye. My dad had some and always told me not to use it. I think he was afraid of either a double charge or a small miscalculation on a load causing a KB.

Many of the loads I found in .357 for weights over 158 grain were for single shot thompsons. The ones I found years back were due to my idiot self buying 180 grain bullets at a gun show.

Throwing away the bullets or buying new powder will be way cheaper than damaging your gun.

[JagerDog]

Not a great combo (357, lead, bullseye), but I think 74 hit it. Alliant lists 4.8g for ~950 fps and always suggests 10% reduction for starting loads. I'd guess 4.5g to be totally safe. Develop via ladder testing and find what your gun likes. This combo is never going to wring out the velocities 357 is capable of.

[kielbasavw]

Looked at the box they came in, very faded says 158gr..... hmm

Also every single case needed to be trimmed. Most once fired, a few were previous reloads. I thought pistol brass ususlly doesn't need it. Lucky I picked up a 357 trim die and ext shellholder.

[kielbasavw]

Finally got to reloading the 357. These extra heavy bullets also have a crimp groove in the wrong place. Book reads max cartridge length at 1.590 at the top of the groove, it was 1.630. And not able to close the cylinder of my gun.

Seems like they are 38spc only...

[J-cat]

U can seat these deeper and crimp over the shoulder, using .38 Special data.

[Swagman00]

Bullseye is a good powder, but it never fills enough of the case (especially revolvers). For lighter pills, the fast burn is okay. Something that heavy with the burn speed of BE though (even lead) is...debatable.

Using a good lube with going to a slower powder can't hurt. Cheapest and easiest stuff I pan lube with is 50/50 beeswax/Lee liquid Alox. Filling more of the case for an even burn will help with accuracy too. I like 2400, AA #9, or H-110 for something that heavy.

[J-cat]

Bullseye has been factory loaded in the 38 Special with 158gr lead bullets for generations.

[kielbasavw]

You mean seating about another 3/16 deeper, which leaves only the cone shaped semi wad cutter showing?

[J-cat]

Yes, except seat it a little deeper to allow the case mouth to roll over the shoulder.

[kielbasavw]

Interesting. Does this have any advantage? Or is this common practice, with wrongly placed canneluer?