357 mag/ tightgroup ?

[Brianma65]

I have some tightgroup and rainier 158 g plated bullets. I've read that you can compare the plated bullets to the lead bullets for data, but the loads I'm finding are way different. My Hornady manual is saying to start with 2.9 g . This seems a bit light? Can I use the the other data ? W/C or XTP? I have some n340 and CFE pistol also

 

[tjsudbury]

The Hornady Manual loads are for their own bullets that are made of pure, soft lead, and can't be driven too fast or they will cause barrel leading. Cast bullets of a harder alloy can be driven faster, so can plated bullets
The bullets that you want to use don't have a cannelure for crimping, which may be a bigger concern with a .357 mag

 

[Brianma65]

I do have some 158 g campro bullets with a cannelure. Would the rainier bullets ,with out the cannelure be ok for 38 special loads? Rainier on the left and campro on the right.

 

[Brianma65]

I'm using a S&W 686-5.

 

[tjsudbury]

I do have some 158 g campro bullets with a cannelure. Would the rainier bullets ,with out the cannelure be ok for 38 special loads? Rainier on the left and campro on the right.

They might be ok for 38spl loads. you would need enough neck tension to prevent them from moving forward in the case. You could crimp them over the ogive, keeping in mind that seating deep enough to do this will reduce the internal capacity of the case and increase pressure, so keep the loads on the milder side.
Hopefully, some of the people here that have more experience with this than I do will have more to say.

 

[kg]

They might be ok for 38spl loads. you would need enough neck tension to prevent them from moving forward in the case. You could crimp them over the ogive, keeping in mind that seating deep enough to do this will reduce the internal capacity of the case and increase pressure, so keep the loads on the milder side.
Hopefully, some of the people here that have more experience with this than I do will have more to say.

There's not much to add, he has to try.
With my dies loads up to 5.0grs would work without crimp in .357 brass (I never went higher with superfast powders).
700 fps will be very boring ... and 1100 will not be brutal either with that gun.

 

[kg]

double tap

 

[Brianma65]

I'm gonna try 3.8 g of tight group in the 38 special and 7 g of n340 in the .357.

 

[BCRider]

For strong proper magnum loads I'm liking the idea of the Campro bullets and using the Ranier for softer loads and .38Spl loading. The reason being the cannelure groove to aid in avoiding the bullets walking out and locking up the cylinder in your revolver. Or if used in a lever rifle to avoid the bullets bumping back in the cases from the magnum power levels during the rebound portion.

But provided you're willing to test it out you may find that you can get away with the Ranier bullets . Just be ready with the various tools of torture and destruction to deal with a set out bullet if required. You may find that you need to tap the bullet back into the case to allow the cylinder to unload.

It would be nice and safer to do this with a dummy round which doesn't use powder or primer. Just a sized case and Ranier bullet crimped as it should be and set into a chamber and then shoot full power Campro bullet loads and measure between shots looking for any change in the OAL.

I'd start with only one loaded round and the test dummy first. If you don't notice a change when measured then up the test to two rounds. If still the same OAL then load up the other five and fire away. If still no change in the OAL try another five. If it's still good or only moved a couple of thou I'd say you're good to go. Any round only has to stay within limits for a maximum of 5 shots after all. Then the bullet is sent on its way.

 

[Brianma65]

Well seeing as I have a 1000 of each , I may as well use the campro for .357 and the rainier for .38 special. But I might try your test, just to know for sure.

 

[Brianma65]

I'm going to try the rainier bullets in the .357 . The rainier bullets are longer than the campro by .25 , I've loaded both to the Same COL, so I'm thinking the rainier reload will have a bit more pressure ,as it sits a little deeper in the case. 158 g campro and 158 rainier , plated bullets ,7 g n340, col 1575. The campro bullet is .645 the rainier is .670.

 

[Brianma65]

I loaded a rainier bullet , without the cannelure ,with the campro cannelured cartridges . and the rainier didn't move. I tryed this a couple of times and had no issues .