Powder recommendations for 357 Mag

[Renegade Master]

I've also recently switched to D032. Early days yet but getting pretty good results with it.

[Daryll]

For light Gallery Rifle loads in my Marlin I used to use 3.8gn of Red-Dot which was accurate, but dirty, ( as are most Alliant powders), so I switched to the same weight of Accurate#2. Much cleaner, but couldn't get the same level of accuracy, (even after trying several different loads).

Currently working up some loads with N320, and trying to find one that works in both my Marlin and my new LBR.... we'll find out this weekend if any of them work well...

HTH

Daryll

[robpark]

I shoot my 1894 at 20-25yds, and use 3.8gr Bullseye behind a 158gr TC (Hannams). More accurate than me
Used to use RNFP, but find the TCs load into the rifle more smoothly.

I have tried FMJs with both Bullseye and Unique, but didn't feel I'd gained anything - just cost more!

[dodgyrog]

I shoot my 1894 at 20-25yds, and use 3.8gr Bullseye behind a 158gr TC (Hannams). More accurate than me
Used to use RNFP, but find the TCs load into the rifle more smoothly.

I have tried FMJs with both Bullseye and Unique, but didn't feel I'd gained anything - just cost more!

The problem with GM Hardcast boolits is that they are too hard IMO and that consequently need a really pokey load to obdurate the boolit into the rifling.
A much softer boolit that fits the rifle well will shoot very well with much lower loads. I make for my own use two cast boolits which work extremely well with 3.2gr Zero powder (similar burning rate to Bullseye and Viht 310). The first is a button nose 148gr wadcutter (H&G mould) and the second is a RNFP 158gr (Lee mould). The alloy is based on range lead (mainly from GM Hardcast) cut with an equal weight of scrap roof flashing or lead pipe from the local scrappy. A good boolit lube is helpful (I make my own).
The boolits also work well with magnum loads and for that I would use Blue Dot or Viht 340.

[ZaksGod]

i use 4.25gr of bullseye with gm hardcast .358 158gr rn-fp bullets.this has a velocity of about 1030fps and muzzle energy of 373ft/lbs.with this load i average about 95/96 out of 100 at 20 yards on the hendon league open sights comp

[DaveC]

Thanks for the replies.

I have calling around all my local suppliers and I get the same response about Bullseye, it not available and no idea when it will be, if ever again.

So, to find something new, I have now got some Lovex D032 to try, lets see how that goes.

Dave

[mag44uk]

Forget bullseye. Too dirty and expensive.
Try Vectan AS.
You can get this from Folkestone Engineering.
Its a great powder in lots of pistol cartridges.
Its quite bulky so double charges are easy to spot and its CHEAP!
Plenty of top gallery rifle shooters using it.
Tony

[airgunnut]

4.1gr Unique with 158gr TC (gm hard cast) only shooting it on a 20m indoor range with a 475 foot pound limit, (its kicking out something like 250flb, whats the point of loading it up to nere the range limit and deafening every one when the paper target your trying to kill is only 20m away) 4.1 of Unique and a 158gr head gives a bit of a kick and a reasonably quite bang, quieter than the factory cowboy action loads. as a previous poster said, semi wadcutters don't load to well from underlevers