Low Recoil 357mag loads

[dprees]

I've used the following load successfully through my Marlin .357 (18.5" barrel, microgroove)
GM 148gr DEWCBB, Fed 100 (or Rem 1.5 or CCI 500) primer, 3.3gr N320, C.O.L.: 1.382".
925fps, 281ft-lb. S.D.: 13.5, CoV: 1.2%
Group size (edge-to-edge, 10 shots): 34mm.

NB. This load was no use in my Taurus LBR; there I got around 710fps, and a group size over 70mm...

[weebeestie]

I couldnt go that low with my marlin.
Only got good grouping at 4.3gr
Id like to take the taurus down to about 600 fps so Red Dot may be the way to go. Maybe even Unique.
Never come across anyone using anything lighter than 158gr so im looking for info on lighter bullets like 110, 125, 140gr bullets.

[JB101]

http://www.hodgdonreloading.com/data/pistol
Try the above for some info , alternatively if you want a low recoil load then use 38special.
ATB
James

[arsefactor]

Hi

I use a 105gr SWC slug cast from range scrap with 3.4gr of Bullseye or HP38. Very light bullet, makes very neat holes in paper and very accurate at 20yds, haven't tried any further out. Works great with the same load in my Marlin and Alfa LBR, saves me making two different loads.
I have to cast the bullets myself and as they are a SWC profile, they are rubbish for rapid feeding from the Marlin tube magazine, so I just load one at a time.
I have used less powder before - 3gr was my standard load for a while - but found I preferred a slightly louder bang with 3.4gr. Couldn't see any difference in accuracy though that's my dodgy eyes and iron sights rather than proper load development.

Cheers!

[weebeestie]

Hi Mr A factor,
are you using 357 mag or 38 spl cases.
It seems lower preassure and speed are better from 38 spl load data.
I have plenty 38 cases but found 357s were easier to load with speedloader.
I'll need to start practicing with 38 cases now.

[Simon_S]

I was told just put the 38 load in the 357 case

[arsefactor]

Ey up ... I use .357 cases, had the same batch of cases since I started reloading for them in 2011. Since the loads are relatively sedate and I only apply a light crimp it's a rare event if one splits during firing.
When reloading I prime all the cases on a single state press first so I can check each one for splits or cracks, so a damaged case should never get to the fully loaded stage.

[Daryll]

If you're loading low pressure rounds, .357 cases should last almost indefinately...

I've only just thrown out about 500 starline cases as the primer pockets were starting to get loose. These were cases i bought when i started loading for my S&W686 in 1987...!!

They must have been reloaded over 60 times for the 686, and latterly for my Marlin, but it was time to say goodbye...

My current load for the Marlin is 4.4gn of N320 behind a 158gn truncated cone bullet. For my Taurus LBR I used 3.3gn of N320 behing a 148gn HBWC.