trouble with .357 lasercast semiwadcutters, any load suggestions?

[clearwater]

I got to shoot the shorty 357 maxi a bit with my boy.

With 180 grain xtp's in Maxi brass and 125 grain cast round nose in 38 special it does well.
1-2" groups at 50 yards with a peep site.

When I switch to 158 grain Lasercast Brand semi-wadcutters (no gas checks on either cast bullets)
I still get a 9" pattern at 50 yards. This is with either maxi brass or 38 special brass.

I know they are likely hard cast with hard lube, but their other bullets have done well in my
44 and my 30 caliber rifles. 

These are running about 750 to 900 fps with the 4 powders I have tried so far. Trailboss, Dupont pistol #6, Winchester 500HS and unique.

I am wondering if I need to push them faster?

Anyone tried Lasercast 158 grain semi's in their guns?

[SHOOTALL]

That is a big case for a WC load of powder.

[44 Man]

Yes!  You need to push them faster.  They are a 'hard' cast bullet and need more pressure behind them to upset them into the rifling.  Try bumping them up 1/2 grain at a time and watch the groups shrink when you reach the proper velocity for that bullet.  44 Man

[bikerbeans]

clearwater,

if you can get 158 grain LSWCs to fly straight out of you Maxi please let me know.  I have tried these style bullets in 38spc, 357 Mag & 357 Maxi cases and velocity from mild to wild and all with the same results, buckshot pattern at 50 yards.  The only lead bullet I found so far that works fairly well is a 200 grain FPGC. 

FWIW, my Maxi is a 357 Talo that I reamed with the GBO reamer.  Maybe I had my tongue stickin' out da wrong side of my mouth while I was reamin'?

BB

[mechanic]

I shoot a flat base wadcutter from 38 cases over Bullseye with good accuracy.  I've had no luck with wadcutters in 357 cases, and have not tried them in maxi.  I do get good accuracy in 357 cases with 160 gr. flatnose, with gas check.  These are shot as they drop from the mold, approx. .358.  I worked them up for my pistol for a hog round, and they shoot to about 2" in the Handi.

I've shot mostly 180 XTP's i the maxi cases, as this has been my most accurate bullet so far.  Loads were worked up with H110.

If you're shooting hard cast "store boughts", the above posters are correct.  Speed them up a little at a time, watching for signs of high pressure.

Ben

[gcrank1]

If those bullets just drop into the mouth of the fired cases they are too small a dia.

[clearwater]

That is a big case for a WC load of powder.

I was using trailboss with the maxi cases, the other fast powders with the 38 special brass.

Measured diameter of the bullets is .358.

I will try pushing the swc's harder.

[SHOOTALL]

Then you may be experincing what I did with mine . To much free bore with the 38 case in the max. chamber .

[SHOOTALL]

Try seating bullets as far out as possible. Looks funny .