I am working on a 230 grain .357 log load for pins. I am using a S&W 28-3. I am finding that red dot is to fast. Primers show overpressure at 4 grains. I am limited by the cylinder length where OAL is concerned. 1.6"s is the max OAL that I can use. I am looking for about 800FPS from this 230 grainer, which will bring performance in line with .45's. Bullet length is .9 inches. I have WC296, Bullseye, Wc748, 4198, 3031 and WST8. Any suggestions or am I better off with a .38 cartridge?

Cliff,

I don't know why you would want to shoot 230 grain bullets in a 357. The heaviest I have shot is 180's. If you want to shoot a revolver, why not get a S&W model 25 in 45 ACP? Why not shoot 180's? The bullet must be taking up a huge part of case capacity.
Peter.

quote:

Originally posted by Peter:
I don't know why you would want to shoot 230 grain bullets in a 357. The heaviest I have shot is 180's. If you want to shoot a revolver, why not get a S&W model 25 in 45 ACP? Why not shoot 180's? The bullet must be taking up a huge part of case capacity.
Peter.

I have considered a 45 long colt or a 454. I can then use my ACP 255 grain loads for the revolver class. I also own a 29-2 6 inch so why have a 45 revolver? It doesn't make any sense to have near redundant classes of firearms unless one is a collector of, which I am not. I want to keep both the 29-2 and the 28-3. The .357 is easy and economical to shoot. I found the data for .38 special loads at the site listed below. Thanks anyway.

http://mrcompletely.blogspot.com/2007/12/norms-357-pin-shooting-loads.html

CPB, back when I was casting my own, I did cast up some 200 grain bullets for my 38 SPL. I was on my slow and heavy kick, as opposed to the (then current) fad of light and fast! I agree that you need a heavy bullet for pins. I am just not sure that the 230 in a 357 is going to do that reliably. Have you thought of using your 44 mag? I would have thought that a reduced load would do the job.
Peter.

quote:

Originally posted by Peter:
CPB, back when I was casting my own, I did cast up some 200 grain bullets for my 38 SPL. I was on my slow and heavy kick, as opposed to the (then current) fad of light and fast! I agree that you need a heavy bullet for pins. I am just not sure that the 230 in a 357 is going to do that reliably. Have you thought of using your 44 mag? I would have thought that a reduced load would do the job.
Peter.

Peter,

I am pleased to meet you. I am new as you know. Much of the reloading aspect is somewhat new to me. I am branching into different calibers and load requirements. This is sort of a fun experiment. I do use my 29 with 5.6 grains behind a 240 LSWC in a special cartridge that gets around 750 FPS. It does a fine job. I am somewhat more comfortable with my 28 for whatever reason. Maybe it is because I have been using it with great results for so long. I stopped using it when the 158 grain LSWC bullets left pins stranded on our deeper outside tables. The pins have to go an extra foot to go off the outside table and it wasn't getting it done at 1250 FPS. Recoil was becoming an issue. I have now borrowed a 230 grain mold from a very experienced long term pin shooter that gets it done with these heads. I may still use the 29 but I do want to experiment and find my best combo. I have a tough group to beat. One mistake and you are out with these guys. I have the best 45 load one could want. They are almost pin seeking missiles! I am starting to control the center fire pistol class but the revolver class eludes me. The 22 class is between me and one other. The 230 LSWC has the same energy a 45 has so I know it will work as long as I do my job. I am thinking 2.5 grains of red dot and working up from there. 850 FPS is my goal. I may have to switch to a slower powder to get what I want.
Cliff,

If all else fails, you may want to pose this question over at:

http://www.castboolits.gunloads.com/

That may well be the original source of this boolit mold.

I too would be interested in the results as a big slow boolit will definitely improve ones gun control.

One of the few places that the words "gun control" should be used in my opinion.

Hey Cliff, Don't misunderstand what I'm saying - the older S&Ws can't handle Pressure as well as the ones being made today. They were designed for the Factory Loads of their day and some HEAVY Loads can create Crane/Lock-Up Problems.

The newest S&Ws, made since the worthless clinton-suck-up british ownership, are much better at handling a bit more robust Load. However, just remember they aren't Designed like a Ruger.

I'd strongly encourage you to be using the good old, never fail PRE Portion of the link to make sure you are not getting the Loads too Hot.

quote:

Originally posted by Hot Core:
Hey Cliff, Don't misunderstand what I'm saying - the older S&Ws can't handle Pressure as well as the ones being made today. They were designed for the Factory Loads of their day and some HEAVY Loads can create Crane/Lock-Up Problems.

The newest S&Ws, made since the worthless clinton-suck-up british ownership, are much better at handling a bit more robust Load. However, just remember they aren't Designed like a Ruger.

I'd strongly encourage you to be using the good old, never fail PRE Portion of the link to make sure you are not getting the Loads too Hot.

Thanks for the warning. I agree that Ruger and not to mention Taurus are way stronger. I shall be careful. Hard to blow up an N-frame anyway.
I may already be experiencing lockup problems. I sometimes have FTF for no apparent reason.

quote:

Originally posted by CPB:
I have WC296, Bullseye, Wc748, 4198, 3031 and WST8.

With the exception Bullseye and WST (8?), the other powders are too slow for your application, and Bullseye is too fast. The WST, if not the "8" designation, is worth a try.

I would recommend trying Hogdon Universal Clays or Alliant Power Pistol, both medium burn-rate pistol powders that are clean-burning and have good reputations. I don't shoot .357 and can't be more specific.
.

I believe Alliant 2400 powder would work for your 230-grain bullets. I have used it in the .357 mag. 14 grains with the Lyamn-Keith 358429 173-grain bullets, and 9 grains of it with the RCBS 200-grain .35 Remington flatnose bullet for 900 FPS.

You might be able to use as much as 8 grains of 2400 with the 230-grain bullet. But start with a lot less, and work up gradually. Perhaps you should contact Alliant and see what they recommend for that heavy bullet!....

The weather cooperated this morning as I was able to chrony some loads. I hit it on the first try. 860 FPS with 5.0 grains of red dot using a 38 special case. Very minor primer flattening and the spent cases eject easily. Federal primers are soft so I am not so concerned. The 2400 is a great choice but I used that all up. Calculates to 377 foot pounds of energy with a pin power factor of 197. I don't expect much life from the cases which doesn't matter when you have 3500. Recoil is marginal and very controllable. OAL is 1.55 with a heavy crimp. Thanks guys.
Cliff,