Suggestions for .38 quiet, slient, cat-sneeze loads in NEF .357 barrel

[wea5el]

Hi,

   I'm a new poster here to the forums. I've been surfing and reading alot of the info here and recently picked up a 357 barrel for my 22 hornet NEF.  It goes extremely well with my Marlin 1894c lever and .357 revolver, kinda of a cheap matched pair/trio.

   After all the shooting, I decided to get into handloading so I picked up a basic single stage press and have had good success at standard 38 and 357 loads.  What has really been interesting me is sub-sonic loads.  I've been reading alot about other's starting loads and how some use a few grains of Unique or 700x over a 148 WC.   I've also read that some use hard wax to keep the charge against the case rear for reliable ignition but then I read that this can cause 'riinging' of the cylinder when the pressure/wax hits the lead.  The LEE manual seemed to have good info or light loads, as well.

   I hope I'm not asking something that was just discussed recently, but I looking for a good direction to start for developing a quiet plinking and small game load for the 22" 357 barreled NEF.  I figured it would be the best because it's a few inches longer than the 1984c.   

   Anyone have a load that they have used in the NEF that may get me headed in the right direction. This reloading stuff is kinda fun, and the NEF makes it even better.

    Thanks - Brad

[henry1]

I have never had any experiance with the sub sonic loads but we used to make birdshot loads and shoot the squirrels at the house with em they wernt much good past ten feet so wed ambush em when they got close the feeder. Now we just bust em with the 410 in nef or a .22. mostly highpowerd air guns though. we messed with those birdshot loads for a bit and even loaded some up for the .44. its quite interesting. I dont remember where the data came from. It might have even come off of a forum. but it was lots of fun. glad that you are enjoying your handi and reloading!
Henry.

[quickdtoo]

Welcome to GBO, Brad!! Greg Mushial has a bunch of low velocity data on his web site...

http://www.gmdr.com/lever/lowveldata.htm

Tim

[boommer]

JUST DUCT TAPE A TWO LITER PLASTIC POP BOTTLE TO THE BARREL SHE WILL SWOOSH REAL NICE FOR 5-6 SHOTS!! 

[wea5el]

Tim,
         Thanks for the link.   That's a bookmark.   During my searching to date , I didn't run across Mushial's site.
                                                   
                    - Brad

[AKbuilder]

JUST DUCT TAPE A TWO LITER PLASTIC POP BOTTLE TO THE BARREL SHE WILL SWOOSH REAL NICE FOR 5-6 SHOTS!! 

Boomer,
Wouldn't that be an illegal silencer?

I am not saying it is, just asking for another opinion and why.

Thanks,
Paul

[quickdtoo]

Suppressors are just plain illegal in some states, other states allow them with the right permits. Whether a pop bottle on the muzzle would be considered a suppressor is another matter that I'd just as soon not leave up to a judge/court to decide!

Tim

http://www.srtarms.com/legalities.htm

[rio grande]

heres some interesting catsneeze info.  http://guns.connect.fi/gow/gunwriters.html
Scroll down to the reduced loads article.
I wouldn't do the bottle/silencer trick. Sounds illegal to me.

[boommer]

yes in this world I would say it could be one but is not to hard to take off real quick and I would not walk around with but its good for coons that are tearing things up at nite  or other critters dont want to wake the neighbors

[Paul5388]

Cat sneeze loads are interesting and can get you in a little trouble.  Don't try them with jacketed bullets, they get stuck in the barrel too easily.  Don't ask how I know. 

The regular HBWC load with 2.7 gr of Bullseye is pretty quiet and at closer ranges is pretty accurate.  The 22" Handi barrel is pretty efficient at reducing the noise, especially with small amounts of powder.  The "Gun Writer's" site already posted has some pretty good ideas from both PT (who is now deceased) and Ed Harris (of Ed's Red and Lee Liquid Alox fame).  The rook rifle concept of Ed's can be applied to the .357 Handi.

More than likely, a bullet with a little better BC can be used with a HBWC load for better accuracy at longer ranges.  Well lubed lead bullets are going to be the best method to use, with lighter bullets needing less powder.  It's possible an unsized .380 cast bullet could be used with good results, but my .357 seems to like bullets around .359" in diameter.

Keep us posted on how your project turns out. 

[cpj]

JUST DUCT TAPE A TWO LITER PLASTIC POP BOTTLE TO THE BARREL SHE WILL SWOOSH REAL NICE FOR 5-6 SHOTS!! 

Boomer,
Wouldn't that be an illegal silencer?

I am not saying it is, just asking for another opinion and why.

Thanks,
Paul

I would say that yes, it would be illegal. "Technically" you are manufacturing a sound suppressing device. I would rather not try it and find out. I have no desire to spend my days in a Federal PMITA Prison. (if you dont get the "PMITA" part of it, rent and watch the moive Office Space)

I shoot some 148 grain wadcutters out of my pistols, and they are quiet. I use 3 grains of WIN 231. Real pussycat loads. I think that they would be pretty quiet in  rifle length barrel. I must get a .357 barrel and find out.

EDIT: I said that the rounds were"quiet" out of my pistol, well quiet compared to normal .38's or .357's.

[wgr]

dont know what youll be shooting but ive shot alot of 158 and 170 grain bullets out of my 357   loaded in 38 cases  with 3.5 grains .of red dot  not that much recoil and really not that loud  out of a 4in barell. never shot them out of a rifle but wuld think they would be less noise sized and loube them with lee alox  use a lyman lube sizer  with stick lube if i run them hot

[wea5el]

Thanks for all the info.   My plan was to start with some lead 148 WC or 158 SWC that I have on hand, and work from there.   I'm looking for a short range accurate load, so I figured that the NEF would be a great platform and I can monitor each shot very closely.  All the links to various info is a great read.  - Brad