Just started reloading and wondering something.

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gmartinqc

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I tested a few loads of 357 magnum with 158 grains Lead RN Bullets. Compared to factory rounds they felt WAY softer and I am only 10% under the Max in the loading charts.
I am happy with my results and I can shoot all day long without beating my wrists, but I don't understand how others at my range can get the hot rounds they get without them loading above the "red line".
I mean I get a soft and fun bang, but when they shoot I feel like I get punched in the sternum standing 2 stands over. Are they being unsafe? or are they doing something else I don't know about?

Any insight would be appreciated.
 
gmartinqc said:
I tested a few loads of 357 magnum with 158 grains Lead RN Bullets. Compared to factory rounds they felt WAY softer and I am only 10% under the Max in the loading charts.
I am happy with my results and I can shoot all day long without beating my wrists, but I don't understand how others at my range can get the hot rounds they get without them loading above the "red line".
I mean I get a soft and fun bang, but when they shoot I feel like I get punched in the sternum standing 2 stands over. Are they being unsafe? or are they doing something else I don't know about?

Any insight would be appreciated.
Click to expand...

10% is a lot.....
 
hmm... Max load is @5 grains of Titegroup. I loaded 4.6 plus/minus 0.1. Factory rounds I shot were WAY hotter and stuff I see other ppl shoot is even worse then that. So I was mainly wondering if I should put more distance between me and them.
I used the Powder manufacturer Data.
 
You comparing without comparing anything, lol. Are the powders the same? Are the bullet types the same? Are the bullet weights the same? Are the OAL the same? Are the primers the same? etc.

Taking your 4.6 of TG and changing the OAL alone will have an impact on pressure/velocity....
 
As others have said there are too many variables to compare.
Pressure increases more dramatically at the top end
Different powders will behave different for example trail boss will alway seem a powder puff type load in .357 mag but a top load of H110 will really show what the cartridge will do. Lots of powders in between the 2 extremes.
Jacketed bullets in some load manuals are given higher pressure loading than the same weight cast bullet for various reasons.
Length of barrel will change velocities as well as how much power gets burned. So a longer barrel may push a bullet faster and break the sound barrier for more of a crack. But a shorter barrel with the same load may not burn as much of the powder inside the barrel and once the bullet exits a fireball and loud muzzle report result.
 
The type of powder makes a difference. Titegroup is a fast burning powder. This is good when you want a clean burn in a light load - pressures rise rapidly to promote the burn. It isn't good if you are trying for a high velocity load. A slower powder will be better.
 
Pr589 said:
The type of powder makes a difference. Titegroup is a fast burning powder. This is good when you want a clean burn in a light load - pressures rise rapidly to promote the burn. It isn't good if you are trying for a high velocity load. A slower powder will be better.
Click to expand...

x2
Get aliant 2400 or H110/W296 and then report back.
 
Look into the chamber pressure for your load. Look at different books they all have different load data for the same projectile/powder combo. Usually older is the book heavier is the load.
 
To the OP...something that hasn't been mentioned yet to you is the fact that with the lead RN bullets you are using, when you get up to the "sternum punching" range as you put it, you will likely be rewarded with a big lead removal project in your barrel...lead removal from a barrel can override the fun of shooting such loads in a hurry.

Best is to use Jacketed B's in really hot loads has been my experience.
 
I hand loaded rifle and pistol ammunition for years. I didn't really start getting the results I wanted until I bought a chrony. (You can get a reasonable chrony for about $120).

Once you know the velocities you are getting you can do a back calculation of the pressures being produced (powley calculator). This increases the safety level considerably as you approach maximum hot loads. Knowing the velocity is also critical for accurate ballistic trajectory calculations.

And as seagull notes you need slower powders for heavy 357 loads. And as fingers says you will be better with jacketed bullets for hot loads.

Read the manuals - take any load data posted on the internet with a grain of salt.
 
4n2t0 said:
You comparing without comparing anything, lol. Are the powders the same? Are the bullet types the same? Are the bullet weights the same? Are the OAL the same? Are the primers the same? etc.

Taking your 4.6 of TG and changing the OAL alone will have an impact on pressure/velocity....
Click to expand...

TiteGroup is a very fast powder. great for accuracy and light loads. Even if you loaded it at Max, the velocity would not be high. Wrong powder for velocity.

For sternum punching concussion you need a slow powder, like 4227, 2400, H100 or 296.

Buy a can of 2400. Very useful powder and easy to work up to high velocity. 296 is less flexible. Can only be loaded at near max pressures.
 
gmartinqc said:
hmm... Max load is @5 grains of Titegroup. I loaded 4.6 plus/minus 0.1. Factory rounds I shot were WAY hotter and stuff I see other ppl shoot is even worse then that. So I was mainly wondering if I should put more distance between me and them.
I used the Powder manufacturer Data.
Click to expand...

I find Titegroup is best for low to somewhat medium velocities. Too fast a powder for top end performance. Stuff that case with the right amount of H-110/W-296 and you'll be where you want to be.

edit to add: I read to post #4 before commenting, so apparently I'm repeating what was already said.

Are your bullets gas checked, or plain base?
 
gmartinqc said:
hmm... Max load is @5 grains of Titegroup. I loaded 4.6 plus/minus 0.1. Factory rounds I shot were WAY hotter and stuff I see other ppl shoot is even worse then that. So I was mainly wondering if I should put more distance between me and them.
I used the Powder manufacturer Data.
Click to expand...

I found the same thing when I started reloading my 357. I also use Titegroup as it was the only powder available at the time I was buying. Coupled with a lead projectile, I found that my kickback was equal to a 9mm, not even close to factory 357 loads. I have since added jacketed projectiles and longshot powder to my mix but haven't had the chance to shoot them yet. My reload supplier told me that the jacketed should allow for more powder without worrying about the lead fowling the barrel.

Reloading is a lot of fun, and part of that fun is trying out new loads and powders. Stick with it, take notes, and it won't be long before you have your 357 loads figured out. I'm already eyeing up a Mare's leg so I can maximize the number of firearms that shoot the same size round.
 
I use power pistol powder in a lot of different pistols/revolvers and it makes a big ol' fireball and percussion bang. So it might be as simple as a different kind of powder than you use. Some powders are downright polite and some are obnoxious pigs.
 
Try some gas checked 180gr wfn bullets over a max charge of H110/W296. That will give you the sternum punch you're looking for. You're comparing a light target load to full power magnum loads. No comparison.
 
As others have said your using the wrong powder for max recoil for the 357mag. But if you really want some fun ditch the cute 357mag and get a 500mag...
 
A word of advice....don't use 296/H110 with lead bullets. You will be weeks getting the lead out of your barrel. These powders and velocities are for jacketed bullets only, and top grade guns only. But they do give the absolute pinnacle of performance in the 357/41/44/454 and such magnum pistol cartridges.
 
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