Moderate 357 plinking load

[Evil Dog]

Just picked up a 6" S&W 686 and am looking for a moderate 357 plinking load.... don't need full throttle.  Will be using the Lyman #358311 160gr RN bullet cast from straight wheelweight.  Powders I currently have on hand are Red Dot, Green Dot, W-231 and Unique.  Primers are Winchester Small Pistol Magnum but might change to Federal just so I can tell the difference between Mag and Std primers... the Winchester are brass color and the Federal are nickel color.  Cases are brass (no nickel) and of assorted headstamps.  Would prefer to stay within the components I already have on hand.  Suggestions?  Thanks.

[Dee]

6 grains of unique, about 800fps. Magnum primers are not necessary. Standard small pistol work just fine and are cheaper.

[Don Fischer]

I'd go to 38 spec cases and 2.5 grs Bullseye. Tried to recall what I used to use in 357 cases. I think it was a 158gr RN cast from WW and 3 grs of Red Dot. Red Dot burns pretty dirty tho. Now in my 38 I use the 158gr HP cast from WW and 5.5grs HS 6. Lyman mold # 358499 and lubed with Alox. #8 spec's are nice to shoot out of a 357. My gun is a 38/44 Smith w/6" barrel.

[Dee]

I have nothing against Bullseye, but he wanted to use the components he already has. Also, be very careful with Bullseye, as it is not hard to double charge with this powder, and I have seen many pistols destroyed, when the owner swore he had not done so with Bullseye.

[Don Fischer]

Yep, real easy to double chg. Another good reason to use 38's. A double chg is more noticeable in them. I'd get new powder tho also. 7000 grs to the pound divided by say 3 grs per round is 2333 rounds per can of powder. In cast bullet handgun loads using wheel weights, powder is dirt cheap! I've got an 8# can of HS-6 I've been using a long time. Also a can of Dupont #6 for a long time, larger than an 8# can. For plinking, it can be real cheap.

[Don Fischer]

Speaking of cheap plinker loads, I came across a suitcase full of Super Ballistite some years ago for hauling it off. Loads the same as Bullseye. That and a couple 5 gal can of weights I got from the tire store for free on that's about as cheap as it gets. I use it in a 32 long.

[Dee]

I know what ya mean Don, I have been using wheel weights since the 70s. With a gas check, I can load a 170gr in a 3030win, and get no leading at 2400fps. With a 357mag, once you pass 1000fps, it leads with no gas check. I agree on the 38 special brass, but I have found over the years that even that brass lasts longer with Unique than the fast burning Bullseye.
I have loaded and fired thousands of rounds with both, but have always been more comfortable with the Unique when loading and shooting in such volume, so have stopped using Bullseye.