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Thread: 357/38 Powder choice

  1. #1
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    357/38 Powder choice

    Totally new to reloading but having looked at factory ammo prices I bought a s/h Lee set-up with literally everything I need apart from powder.
    The thing is I've got some Herco powder I want to use but not sure what amount of powder to use? I have a Rossi 357/38 btw and 158 lead or jacketed heads available.
    I just need some safe loads for both calibres if anyone can help please.

  2. #2
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    Look on Alliant website

  3. #3
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    look up data for Unique
    You Cannot Reason People Out of Something They Were Not Reasoned Into
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  4. #4
    boff180 Guest
    Can't go wrong with Vihtavouri N320 in either 38 or 357.

    I use 4.8grns in a .357mag case with a 158grn TC lead bullet - and it will out perform me at 50 metres in my rifle, when I do my part it will single hole at this range.

    4.8grns is a maximum .38spl charge for N320 with that head but below minimum in a .357mag. In general, max 38 loads are fine in 357 cases.

    Andy

  5. #5
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    Quote Originally Posted by boff180 View Post
    Can't go wrong with Vihtavouri N320 in either 38 or 357.

    I use 4.8grns in a .357mag case with a 158grn TC lead bullet - and it will out perform me at 50 metres in my rifle, when I do my part it will single hole at this range.

    4.8grns is a maximum .38spl charge for N320 with that head but below minimum in a .357mag. In general, max 38 loads are fine in 357 cases.

    Andy
    I use 4.4 gn of N320, .357 case, 158gn TC lead... as above, one hole at 25, cloverleaf at 50 through my Marlin 16'' 1894

  6. #6
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    I have a .357mag Rossi. I use 5.0gn of unique with a 158gn SWC

  7. #7
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    Currently I use 3.4g of Vectan AS behind a 158g truncated cone bullet bought when AS was about £34/kg. Now it's double that I'll be changing to Maxam CSB5 (still about £34/kg) when I've used up what I have left.

  8. #8
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    Quote Originally Posted by drogo View Post
    I have a .357mag Rossi. I use 5.0gn of unique with a 158gn SWC
    I have a Winchester 94 and use 6.5gns unique with a 158gn RNFP; last comp I won with it I never dropped any points at all; my best ever!
    Pistol & Rifle Shooting in the Highlands with Strathpeffer Rifle & Pistol Club. <StrathRPC at yahoo.com> or google it.
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  9. #9
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    Quote Originally Posted by harrysmith View Post
    Totally new to reloading but having looked at factory ammo prices I bought a s/h Lee set-up with literally everything I need apart from powder.
    The thing is I've got some Herco powder I want to use but not sure what amount of powder to use? I have a Rossi 357/38 btw and 158 lead or jacketed heads available.
    I just need some safe loads for both calibres if anyone can help please.
    Lee Modern Reloading suggests 7.1 to 7.9 gr Herco with 158gr lead in .357 and 4.0 to 4.5gr in .38SPL. No data on the Alliant site for 158gr lead,
    The Rossi has a slow twist, 1:30". You might find that it prefers a lighter bullet? I have achieved good results with 125gr lead (truncated cone) and 4.6gr N320 powder in .38 cases; 6gr Unique with 158gr RN in .357 cases also worked OK. I've not used the N320 in .357 cases yet.
    Last edited by severnsider; 21-11-2018 at 09:30 PM.

  10. #10
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    357 powder choice

    6 gns of Maxam CSB5.

    amc577

  11. #11
    markreid is offline Happy to be fishing and shooting
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    I shoot a Rossi 92 .357 I generally use .357 case 4.5 grn bullseye powder and cci small pistol primer works for me
    There is no such thing as a dangerous gun, there are dangeruous people though

  12. #12
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    Quote Originally Posted by severnsider View Post
    Lee Modern Reloading suggests 7.1 to 7.9 gr Herco with 158gr lead in .357 and 4.0 to 4.5gr in .38SPL. No data on the Alliant site for 158gr lead,
    The Rossi has a slow twist, 1:30". You might find that it prefers a lighter bullet? I have achieved good results with 125gr lead (truncated cone) and 4.6gr N320 powder in .38 cases; 6gr Unique with 158gr RN in .357 cases also worked OK. I've not used the N320 in .357 cases yet.
    there is 158gn data on the Alliant site it may mention a specific bullet but you can extrapolate from there
    You Cannot Reason People Out of Something They Were Not Reasoned Into
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  13. #13
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    Thumbs up My Rossi loved

    My Rossi loved the 125gr bullets and light load of Tightgroup 4gr.
    Last edited by Simon_S; 25-11-2018 at 10:17 AM.

  14. #14
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    Quote Originally Posted by kennyc View Post
    there is 158gn data on the Alliant site it may mention a specific bullet but you can extrapolate from there
    I didn't see any 38/357 loads which used Herco. Perhaps I didn't look hard enough...…………...

  15. #15
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    Quote Originally Posted by severnsider View Post
    I didn't see any 38/357 loads which used Herco. Perhaps I didn't look hard enough...…………...
    we were probably talking at cross purposes as I had originally suggested Unique and didn't pick up that the OP was wishing to use Herco, apologies Herco appears to be marketed for heavy handgun loads and shotguns, is it really suitable for the OPs use ?
    You Cannot Reason People Out of Something They Were Not Reasoned Into
    "Politicians like to panic, they need activity. It is their substitute for achievement" Sir Humphry Appleby

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