FAVORITE CAST LOAD FOR .357/..38SPL

18 March 2003, 07:57

tasco 74

WHAT IS EVERYONES BEST LOAD FOR .357 OR .38SPL FOR TARGET OR HUNTING OR JUST FOR FUN? I USE BULLSEYE EXCLUSIVELY SO INFORMATION WITH THAT POWDER WILL BE APPRECIATED MOST. THANX IN ADVANCE

THE 2ND AMENDMENT PROTECTS US ALL............

18 March 2003, 16:15

arkypete

Tasco
the bulk of my 357 shooting is done with 4.5 grains of Bullseye or 231 with a 140 grain cast Saeco SWC. Most any small pistol primer does fine.
Jim

18 March 2003, 17:31

z1r

I have an old single cavity Lyman mold that drops a 160 grain plainbase flatnose. I use unique in varying charges to suit my needs. This bullet drops just large enough .360" that it shoots really well in my Victory Model .38 S&W.

19 March 2003, 05:08

John M

2.8 gr Bullseye or AA #2 behind any 140-160 gr wadcutter, also a 356402 120 gr tc is a great paper puncher. 356156 and a warm charge of Herco or Unique gets most done. In my Ruger Blackhawk only: 16 gr H110 and a 180 gr FP LBT with lbt blue of FWFL for a heavy load. Gianni.

28 March 2003, 23:54

pjh421

.38 Special case, any lead bullet, 3 grains of 231 and any standard small pistol primer. Most excellent plinking/low cost fun.

Paul

29 March 2003, 00:00

Lloyd Smale

38 4.5 bullseye with the 105 lee swc

29 March 2003, 16:33

<powderfinger>

When I shot PPC competitions, I used Star 148 gr. HBWC's with WW-231 powder. I did also test Bullseye powder with these bullets with good results, but I stuck with 231.

For $13 per 500 bullets it doesn't pay to cast your own. I do enjoy casting bullets, but when you go through 400 rounds a week its just easier to buy them.

Hope this isn't forbidden advice on the cast bullet forum. [Razz]

Larry

29 March 2003, 17:24

<Zeke>

38 Special: 140gr Laser-Cast FN under 6.0 gr Alliant Power Pistol, 960fps from a 4-inch M-686.

357 Magnum: 180gr Laser-Cast FN under 9.3gr of Blue Dot, 1100fps from 4-inch M-686

ZM

30 March 2003, 12:39

graycg

38 Special: 146 grain H&G wadcutter with lube in only one groove on top of 3.1 grains of WW-231, Single hole 25 yard groups out of my Smith Model 52.

357 Magnum: 180 grain LBT WFNGC on top of 15.7 grains H110 and magnum primers...100 yard 4 inch groups out of my 686 with 2X scope off the bench.
Hits hard, very hard on Deer and pigs.

31 March 2003, 01:44

Leftoverdj

quote:
Originally posted by powderfinger:

For $13 per 500 bullets it doesn't pay to cast your own. I do enjoy casting bullets, but when you go through 400 rounds a week its just easier to buy them.

Hope this isn't forbidden advice on the cast bullet forum.

Larry

There's some truth in that if you have a steady source of good bullets at that price.

I shot PPC heavy, too, and found I could not depend on commercial cast bullets in my area. Stores would run out when I needed a batch. They'd also change suppliers and there are some really bad commercial bullets out there.

I was casting anyway, for other reasons, so I added Lee six cavity moulds in .38 and .32 WC. Running two ten pound pots into two six cavity moulds, you can cast a whole pile of bullets in one afternoon. They don't need sizing for my guns, so I cull, tumble lube, and let it go at that.

Now I never run out, never get bullets that lead, never have to run from store to store.

[ 03-30-2003, 17:02: Message edited by: Leftoverdj ]

31 March 2003, 02:07

<Roundbutt>

2.8 grains of Winchester supper light behind a good 158 grain cast bullet. accurate and verry clean for light load.

31 March 2003, 02:14

Leftoverdj

quote:
Originally posted by tasco 74:
I USE BULLSEYE EXCLUSIVELY
THE 2ND AMENDMENT PROTECTS US ALL............

But why?

Bullseye is a fine powder for target or plinking loads, but it's really limited.

If you wanna stick with one powder, go to Unique. If heavy hunting loads are in the picture, add a can of 2400.

31 March 2003, 04:08

sundog

.357 - Ly 358156 over 9.0 HS-7.

.38 - 140ish WC over 3.0 Bullseye or 4.0-4.5 231 for a liitle more speed. sundog

31 March 2003, 14:25

<powderfinger>

Leftoverdj,

Fortunately for me the guy that ran the PPC matches shot the same bullet as I did and he also stocked the bullet in his gun shop. If he happened to run out, I would just order 2000 of them from Wideners to hold me over.

Now I just cast for my m/loader and sharps, with a few LBT's for the 44.

Larry