need help with .357 load data

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R-von

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I just picked up some 140 grain hornady cowboy hardcasts and i have a pound of h110 sitting here collecting dust.....the problem is i'm having a hard time finding load data. Anyone try this combo? Have any leading problems? I've seen data for 140 grain jacketed bullets but didnt know where to start.
thanks
ryan
 
Ryan:

H110 / W296 (the same powder) is really meant for high pressure jacketed bullet loads. I use it in my Marlin Model 1894c carbine in .357 Magnum, but only with 180 grain jacketed bullets. I think you may find if you load those cast bullets (unless they are cast of water-quenched linotype, montype or stereotype), you're going to get a bad case of leading & pi$$-poor accuracy.

For my cast bullets, & mine are water-quenched lino-type & wheel-weight alloy that have a BHN of ~28, I use pistol or shotgun powders. I've had good luck with 452AA & WST with 130 grain RNFPPB bullets (800x was a poor 2nd choice), HS-6 / W540 (same powder) and 158 grain RNPB bullets (800x was also a poor second choice) & Nobel Magnum 6 with 195 grain RNFPPB bullets.

Those bullets you have are not really meant to be pushed so fast (actually, it's not the velocity, it's the elastomeric pressure level of the alloy). Check out the various loading manuals for CAS loads. They're really pretty slow & are meant to replicate the old Black Powder velocity levels.

Not sure if you're using this in a revolver or a rifle, but since I sold all of my handguns ~20 years ago, I can't help you with revolver loads.

Jim
 
thanks for the informative post. I am shooting them out of a pistol but i think i'll just use these bullets in light 38 special loads with unique. i'll pick up some jacketed bullets next time.
thanks again
 
Lee's reloading manual has an exellent article on the this topic. The simplest way to put it is, that there needs to be a minimum pressure for the bullet to fill into the rifling. Exceed the strength of the alloy by having too much pressure behind the bullet and the lead of the bullet is stripped. Between these two points you will find the sweet spot where the gun will shoot decent groups
 
Cast bullets can be accurately shot in both 44 mag and 357, at full magnum loads.
I shot both guns for years, with H110/296 or 2400, loaded full tilt.
If the gun has a good, smooth barrel, they won't lead. A p oor barrel will lead.
Here is a copy of a loading chart from Lyman Pistol & Revolver Handbook.
These aren't even gas check.
Sorry, the thumb got a bit in the road!
357001.jpg
 
I find itinteresting how reloading manuals differ so much....my lyman manual lists a 150-155 grain(cant remember which) with a starting load of 16.3 grains of h110 wtf? I was having leading problems with 16.4 grains. I'll try loading them lighter yet and see if i can get rid of the leading with a bit less powder. i'm shooting them out of a 2 month old gp100 6" so the barrel should be good
thanks for the help
 
R-von said:
I find itinteresting how reloading manuals differ so much....my lyman manual lists a 150-155 grain(cant remember which) with a starting load of 16.3 grains of h110 wtf? I was having leading problems with 16.4 grains. I'll try loading them lighter yet and see if i can get rid of the leading with a bit less powder. i'm shooting them out of a 2 month old gp100 6" so the barrel should be good
thanks for the help
Click to expand...

It's the new barrels that are most likely to lead.
A few hundred jacketed bullets may smooth them out.
 
R-Von, H4831 is a good resource. The short answer is: you will only know by trying it!

I shoot hard cast out of my 44 with full loads of H110, and they lead less then milder loads with other powders. Try it and report back.
 
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