I've got a GP100 on the way and I like the idea of dabbling in both IDPA SSR and IPSC revolver divisions. I've also been drinking the Massad Ayoob Kool-Aid and am convinced that a 125 grain bullet is the way to go for self...(looks over shoulder for the RCMP), er...zombie defense but it seems like a fairly hot and high velocity powder is required to make major power factor in IPSC. Anyone care to chime in with ideas for reloading an "ideal" .357 Magnum load?
Reloaders: Making Major PF with .357 Magnum
- Thread starter jlagman
- Start date
Go with a heavier weight plated bullet. Less snappy type recoil at Major PF, not as noisy as a 125gr load and the cylinder is not going to fry your fingers on the last or second last reload on a long course as badly as with the lighter bullet loads. with a 158 gr. you only need about 1075fps to hit 170 PF.
high volumes of 125gr 357 loads are reputed to be very hard on revolvers, too. Something to do with the short bullets in longer throats, causing gas to blow-by after the bullet leaves the case but before it forms a gas-tight seal in the bore. This causes excessive fouling, forcing cone erosion, gas cutting, etc. The GP-100 is a robust revolver, but even so, I'd probably personally use 180 grain plated bullets (Marstar carries Frontier brand bullets in this config) at 185gr/45 ACP velocities. Less recoil to deal with, less blast, lower pressures, and less heat generated - these all add up to a lot less wear and tear on the shooter and the revolver.
Save the 125 screamers for less frequent use
Save the 125 screamers for less frequent use
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If you're listening to Mas, then don't use handloads for...... zombie defence. 
Go with the heavier bullet. I shot our Classifier for ESR with my GP-100 and after 90 rounds the wrist was sore using 158gr bullets. If I do it agian this year I am going to find a 200 gr mold for even a heavier bullet.
Take Care
Bob
Take Care
Bob
Yes, where did MrClean mention .38 Special? I personally like the "real life" aspect of shooting a weight bullet that I may have to use for whatever semblence of self defense we have in Canada. I see action competition, IDPA especially, as a means to develop some form of practical skill and I would like to incorporate some sort of consistency, by shooting similar loads across the spectrum, to better mimic a self defense load. I'll save the .38 Specials for SASS. In that respect, perhaps it would be better for me to shoot minor PF and focus on better shot placement.
Brutus
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
Quoting Mr Clean:
with a 158 gr. you only need about 1075fps to hit 170 PF.
I borrowed this from the Buffalo Arms website:
Heavy .38 Special +P Ammo - 158 gr. L.S.W.C.H.P. --G.C. (1,000fps/M.E. 351 ft.lbs.) - 20 Round Box
This velocity window MrClean uses, is effectively closer to 38 Special +P than it is to 357 Magnum IMO. He just didn't use these exact words, but in effect that's what it is.
Cheers!
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Sorry for not saying 357 cases is my first response.
Loads at major PF in 38 cases is possible but might shorten case life and firing alot of hot 38 loads in a 357 can lead to ringing of the chamber on a 357too. Powder selection is also an important factor.
Canuck 44, there used to be lead 230gr SWC 357 bullets for pin shooting with enough of a rounded nose for speedloading and they were really sweet to shoot when loaded to Major PF.
Loads at major PF in 38 cases is possible but might shorten case life and firing alot of hot 38 loads in a 357 can lead to ringing of the chamber on a 357too. Powder selection is also an important factor.
Canuck 44, there used to be lead 230gr SWC 357 bullets for pin shooting with enough of a rounded nose for speedloading and they were really sweet to shoot when loaded to Major PF.
In "real life," you would be better off with the .38 Special +P 158 grain lead HP. Most .357 loads at best offer no better performance combined with increased recoil and muzzle blast. At worst, many light bullet .357 loads (110-125 grain) under-penetrate while having the same disadvantages.
I bet they were. I am going to look around and see if I can find myself a mold.
tjhaile +P .38's are pretty light as well. Before we reduced the PF for SSR Division my load was 3.5 gr of Clays under 158 gr lead RN to make PF of 130 which was a +P load in .38spl. Nothing compared to a .357mag. The .357Mag cases of course can be down loaded to .38spl velocities for playing the games though the longer case might not be quite so fast to reload using speedloaders.
Take Care
Bob
Here is some loads I have used
Since IDPA now allows 38 Special with a powerfactor of 106000 this is some loads I have used:
3.6 gr 700 X with 158 LSWC
Taurus revolver 787 fps
S & W revolver 852 FPS
5.0 gr titegroup with 125 FMJ bullet and 38 Spl + P cases
taurus revolver 934 FPS
S & W revolver 999
357 mag loads
7.0 gr titegroup with 125 FMJ TC Campro bullets S& W revolver 1183 FPS
5.0 gr 700 x with 158 LSWC S& W revolver 994 FPS
I hope this helps.
Cheers
robert
Since IDPA now allows 38 Special with a powerfactor of 106000 this is some loads I have used:
3.6 gr 700 X with 158 LSWC
Taurus revolver 787 fps
S & W revolver 852 FPS
5.0 gr titegroup with 125 FMJ bullet and 38 Spl + P cases
taurus revolver 934 FPS
S & W revolver 999
357 mag loads
7.0 gr titegroup with 125 FMJ TC Campro bullets S& W revolver 1183 FPS
5.0 gr 700 x with 158 LSWC S& W revolver 994 FPS
I hope this helps.
Cheers
robert
