Author Topic: Powder recommendations for 357 mag 158gr SWC Lasercast (Read 3321 times)

SM Bob · « **on:** November 19, 2008, 07:26:20 PM »

I am getting a Ruger Blackhawk 357 mag with a 4 5/8" barrel. I want to work
up some loads for it using Lasercast 158gr SWC bullets. Can I get some powder
recommendations for this bullet? I was thinking that Unique might be a good
place to start. What say you guys?

Robert

Sharps-Nut · « **Reply #1 on:** November 26, 2008, 04:23:58 AM »

I guess no one bit. Unique is a great 38/357 powder. A little dirty but fluffy eneogh to make double charges tough unless you are blind or drunk.

jager · « **Reply #2 on:** November 26, 2008, 12:02:10 PM »

My favorite .357mag load with 158gr bullets, cast or jacketed, is 13.5gr of Alliant 2400. Relatively fast and accurate, while a couple of grains under most "manual's" maximum.

Graybeard · « **Reply #3 on:** November 26, 2008, 12:50:59 PM »

I use mostly 2400 and Bullseye for both .38 special and .357 magnum. For full blown magnum loads W296/H110 also works well but 2400 is more versatile. Unique will do fine as well.

Autorim · « **Reply #4 on:** November 26, 2008, 03:06:39 PM »

Trail Boss works very well for general shooting and plinking loads.

Larry Gibson · « **Reply #5 on:** November 27, 2008, 06:06:00 AM »

Concur with Unique.

Larry Gibson

SM Bob · « **Reply #6 on:** November 27, 2008, 02:36:58 PM »

Thanks guys! I have had good results in my 686 S&W with 158gr JHP's
and Lil' Gun. I'm wanting to work up some cast loads, especially for the
Blackhawk. I'll give Unique and 2400 a try.

Robert

Tom W. · « **Reply #7 on:** December 01, 2008, 09:37:23 AM »

I'll chime in late and say Blue Dot....

OLDHandgunner · « **Reply #8 on:** December 02, 2008, 01:46:29 AM »

Quote from: jager on November 26, 2008, 12:02:10 PM

My favorite .357mag load with 158gr bullets, cast or jacketed, is 13.5gr of Alliant 2400. Relatively fast and accurate, while a couple of grains under most "manual's" maximum.

I agree on this load for all around shooting. I've used this load in my old RBH 6 1/2" ( and some up to 15.0 grs ) for almost 40 years with my 158gr cast bullets. The only problem I had against 2400, it was dirty, but boy does it shoot good.
Unique is also a great powder. I use it mostly in my 4" Colt & 4 5/8" Ruger 357's.

dpe.ahoy · « **Reply #9 on:** December 13, 2008, 01:00:55 PM »

LilGun is my powder of choice for the 357. Use it behind 158g Rem SP in the rifles and in my GP100 as well. Bought a thousand of them from Midway when they had em on sale. Use to use H-110 which works good but is so fine, it binds up my DPS 1200 auto powder measure and the other powder measures seem to grind it up and spit it all over the reloading bench. DP

SM Bob · « **Reply #10 on:** December 15, 2008, 03:04:59 PM »

I shot the 357 Blackhawk last weekend. I tried Bullseye, 2400, Blue Dot, W231, Trail Boss,Lil' Gun
and Titegroup with 158 gr SWCBB Lasercast bullets. Of all these the Blackhawk preferred
2400 with a charge somewhere from 14.0-14.5 grains. That load really gets with the
program and showed no signs of leading at all. This load is well within the max of 15.3
grains according to the second addition Lee Modern Reloading Handbook for 158 gr lead
bullets. It was accurate too! I was hitting 2 liter plastic soda bottles and cans at 100-125
yards fairly regularly in spite of a loose and wiggling from side to side front sight blade. I
just fixed it with some JB Weld. It should be good to go now. I tend to like a moderately
warm load for my 357's. This one should do the trick. It is really flat shooting and gets out
there in a hurry! If I were messing around at just short ranges (under 25 yards) then I
probably would go with Bullseye or Trail Boss.

Robert

docmagnum357 · « **Reply #11 on:** December 15, 2008, 04:06:02 PM »

I really like 2400 and unique for both the 38 special/ 357, and the 44 special/mag. Both are dirty, but both are fairly consistent, and 2400 will usually not lead the barrel too much in higher pressure loads. I do use bullseye, but so far only for 38 wadcutters. imr 4227 is also great, even in 38 special heavy bullet loads. It is cleaner, makes less pressure, and some of my best groups in 44 mag were shot with jacketed bullets and this powder. haven't used it enough in 357 to say I like it or not.

SM Bob · « **Reply #12 on:** December 16, 2008, 03:54:50 AM »

Doc,
I have heard a lot of good things about 4227. I might have to give it a try soon.

Robert

Autorim · « **Reply #13 on:** December 16, 2008, 03:12:27 PM »

I like 2400 or W296 for heavier loads and Trail Boss for lower velocities. All shoot well in the Ruger Bisley, S&W 686 and other .357's. The Lasercast 158 seems to be my standard cast bullet now.

Default · « **Reply #14 on:** January 07, 2009, 09:15:26 AM »

I'll add another vote for the 4227 .. Really does well in my long guns (44mag & 357mag) which is why i first loaded it up ,though it didnt do poor by any means in the pistols..

I like the W296 in the longer barrels too.

Blue dot has never been shabby either and is pretty much all i feed my 45 long colts'

Default

walkingwolf · « **Reply #15 on:** January 07, 2009, 03:11:32 PM »

Sr7625 low recoil I used it shooting the ppc

Old Fart · « **Reply #16 on:** January 11, 2009, 06:37:02 AM »

My favorite for most of my handguns is Bulleye, had luck with Unique some also.

Swamp Rat · « **Reply #17 on:** January 19, 2009, 04:43:32 PM »

I agree with most. I use Unique and 2400 primarly and H110 for my fullhouse 190gr loads. In reading lots of folks have good luck with W231 and Lil'Gun but I have no personal experience with them.

Lloyd Smale · « **Reply #18 on:** January 21, 2009, 08:18:54 AM »

bullseye for target loads unique for midrange loads and 2400 for mag loads. Those three will cover about any handgun cartridge loading.

Steve P · « **Reply #19 on:** January 23, 2009, 10:08:19 AM »

Gotta agree with the last few posts.

Unique for the moderate 357 loads.

2400 for the hot 158gr loads.

I have a couple of guns that like blue dot and 125 grainers. My blue dot is probably 20 years old so the new warnings are not applicable to my older/heavier guns and loads.

AA9 or 296/H110 for 180s and 200s.

Steve