.357 Herrett loading

[Stape]

Howdy all.  Finally got all the gear for my 357 Herrett, and looking at the data, I have a question.  I'm doing some case forming loads, and I have 158gr LSWCs that I am using.  Now, my contender manual lists 4.3gr of W231 formthis boolit but that seems realy light to me.  My other option is H110 at 20 something grains but I have dismissednthis because I dont have gas checked boolits.  I have the supplies for a nice 200gr interbond in front of 3031 or 4227 but want to at least test things out and final form the brass first before I gomthrough expensive bullets and lots of powder.  Basically can someone collaborate a load for w231 and a 158gr LSWC?  The book lists it but it just seems odd to me.  But im new to the Herretts so it might be me.  Thanks all.

[Larry L]

From the Thompson Center Reloading manual (yeah, there really is one) they make the statement:
"First time fired cases (fire forming) should be loaded with 10% less powder than standard loads. Successive loadings should be full length sized."


They do however, give what I believe are reduced loads and possible fire forming loads- they really don't comment on it but noting the loads are a major difference, you might consider trying it. Using a 158gr lead bullet 9.0grs Blue Dot =1190'ps, Federal 215 primers.
Same bullet, 12.0 grs 2400, CCI200 primers=1181'ps.


The velocity is out of a 10" barrel. Blue Dot is used a lot for fire forming brass so this data may be just what yer looking for. When I fire formed my 357 Herrett brass, I went with max loads and never looked back. The brass will fire form long before peak pressures are reached and there was zero difference in bullet impact or velocity between fire formed brass and virgin unformed brass. YMMV.

[Stape]

I appreciate it.  I loaded up 10 158gr lswc in front of 4.3gr of w231 as listed.  My contender load manual has a recipe for h110 also. But at over 2000fps, and my cast 158's arent gas checked so I didnt want to go that route.  The rest is loaded with a 200gr sp interbond on top of h4198, the book puts this load at 1900, and thats a wee bit under a max load.  The chrono will tell......