new to reloading 357 please help

[maxx03]

http://www.berrysmfg.com/product-i14484-c13-g8-b0-p0-38_357_125gr_FP___1000ct.aspx

Anyone know who sells 125gr non hollow point plated bullets as xtreme does not.

[pacrat]

Hey ROC

What revolver are you using, and what is expected of your loads. Can maybe help ya out on cases.

[roc_my_tims]

Hello pacrat,

Ill be using a s&w 686, i'd like something easy in 38 spl to take it easy on tge gun and my wrist. About 60% of the time 20% mild 357 and 20% hot ans spicy 357 to wake me up every once in a while.

[tylenol9999]

Roc, pm me your address and I will send you whatever 357 cases I have. I think it's around 40 or so.

[scotchblade]

Anyone know who sells 125gr non hollow point plated bullets as xtreme does not.

Did you miss these?

[roc_my_tims]

Scotchblade - i totally missed those my eyes skipped them because i saw FP only and the first ones someone pointed out for me was RNFP.

Is there a difference when loading either rn or rnfp?

[MongooseV8]

Forget the plated cheap bullets. PowderValley has awesome jacketed Zero brand bullets in stock. Buy a bunch now and you will be happy later. They are just a few bucks more than berrys/xtremes.

[kielbasavw]

I use Zero 125gr jsp. Full blown 2400 loads work awesome.

[roc_my_tims]

Mongooose i see they have 125gn but not 158gn i was hoping to try both

[Hunter57dor]

I run a 158 Gr cast SWC that i make myself, with my own custom lube based off an old NRA recipe. 4.0 grains of bullseye powder. in my rossi lever action, no recoil, flash, and its quiet as heck. accurate too. (caution. my lever is actually .357 magnum, and this load may generate pressures greater than .38 special can handle, at least thats what the lee manual says)

[pacrat]

ROC,

I've got 250 once fired in original boxes 38 spl cases. And 150 or so .357 cases. I'm willing to donate to give a new reloader an up and running start blowing smoke and spitting bullets from your 686. Might cost you a beer or three.

Got your message and will try and call you back tonite.

Later Dude

[Mr357magnum]

38/357 is a great way to get introduced to reloading.

For 38 special, I pretty much only use hard-cast lead bullets because they are super cheap.

158 gr round nose and semi-wadcutters work great.

For a super lite just-having-fun load, i usually do 4.1-4.2 grains of Unique with a 158 gr round nose or SWC in 38 special.

You can also use the 158 gr lead bullets in the 357 mag, just be careful. You dont want to push the lead bullets past 1,100 feet per second Id say, because you can lead the barrel.. and you dont want that.

If you want to load warm to hot 357 loads, I would just buy hornady XTP's (these are a jacketed bullet).. either 140 gr or 158 gr. They are a little pricey, but are good bullets.

As far as 38 special goes though, you can find plenty of different bullet weights for head-cast lead.

I buy from Red Line Ballistics if you are down in San Diego.

You can get 500 bullets from him for about 37 bucks.

You CAN use the same bullet for both cartridges, so long as you adjust the load ofcourse.

[roc_my_tims]

Anyone have instructions on how to set dies up for 357 using the spacers? I dont understand how to set up the seater/chrimp die. Brought rcbs dies used and instructions rcbs sent me are for all calibers

[chknlyps2]

Anyone have instructions on how to set dies up for 357 using the spacers? I dont understand how to set up the seater/chrimp die. Brought rcbs dies used and instructions rcbs sent me are for all calibers

The thickness of the spacer is the difference in height between a .38 special case and a .357 case. If you set up your expander and your seat/crimp dies for .38 with no washer and then tighten the lock rings down with the allen set screw then all you need to do is add the washers under the lock rings to load .357 (don't loosen the allen screw) The decap/size die can stay set the same for .38 or .357.

[Mot Mi]

If they are the same as my lee 38/357 dies, you have to set it up as any other die and then turn it 1 and 3/4 turn out after setting it up for 38 I believe. I am not at home to check my instructions and I dont know what those spacers are for as ive never used rcbs dies just lee, redding, ad dillon dies. Perhaps, someone with a better ides of rcbs dies will come in and help ya bud.