Just started reloading and wondering something.

[gwesson]

As others have said, if I was loading power in a .357 I wouldn't use Titegroup; I'd use one of the magnum powders. My hot load for .357 is 16gr Lil'Gun (out of a RCBS auto-charge thrower) behind a 158gr gas-check SWC. Gives me ~1,400 fps; store-boughten S&B FMJ's only give me 1,200 fps (6" Dan Wesson). I haven't had any leading with this load.

As was also said, get a Chrony; I recommend paying a bit more for the one with the remote read-out, you've got to have the Chrony >6' away from you or the gunsmoke wrecks the readings, and at that distance it's hard to read the facefront display. Also be advised that Chrony's don't work under fluorescent lighting.

 

[Spawn-Inc]

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.

I don't have issues with leading (at most a minor amount leading) when using gas checked and ben's red lube using mostly wheel weight mixed with pure. I've even tried 105gr lead with no gas check on top of 22gr of h110/w296. I only shot 50 rounds though so it's not the best test. IMO bullet size is a huge factor in leading vs not. That's just my experience with it anyway. With powder coating i've yet to have any leading.

 

[4n2t0]

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.

I didn't say anything about TG being great for velocity, I said changing the OAL would affect pressure/velocity.

 

[gmartinqc]

Thanks to everyone for the input. I am not really trying to emulate what others are doing, mostly wondering if they could be unsafe or not. As I stated I just started to reload and learning as I go. I also mentioned I was quite happy with my results with the 357 load I used, as it is soft and could enjoy shooting hundreds of rounds in one sitting. That may turn out to be a problem in the long run

Yesterday I reloaded 20 or so rounds of 44 Mag upping the charge gradually until I reached the max charge according to the load data I had. I really didn't notice that much of a difference between my starting point and the Max charge so I guess I'll just save on the powder.

On the plus side I also just received my 9mm and 45 auto die sets so I got more toys to play with.

 

[gmartinqc]

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?

I had to lookup what a gas check was. My bullets are plain base.

 

[mudgunner49]

I don't have issues with leading (at most a minor amount leading) when using gas checked and ben's red lube using mostly wheel weight mixed with pure. I've even tried 105gr lead with no gas check on top of 22gr of h110/w296. I only shot 50 rounds though so it's not the best test. IMO bullet size is a huge factor in leading vs not. That's just my experience with it anyway. With powder coating i've yet to have any leading.

This right here - I shoot almost exclusively cast in my wheelguns (.32-.45LC and everything in between) and have never had an issue so long as I size .001-.002" over actual bore diameter, and the cylinder throats aren't undersized for the diameter of the bore (generally .0005-.001" over bore diameter)...

 

[gwesson]

I've had leading - no fun. And there's no rhyme nor reason to it; if your pistol is prone to leading, it'll lead.

The ammo was Rem Thunderbolt; "SHE" was shooting a slightly older Buckmark, I was shooting a very old S&W Model 41 with the long barrel. I shot likely the smallest handgun group I've ever shot, the 41 LOVED it; she ended-up with a ~2-inch skeg of lead up the top of her barrel that was agony and misery to get out.

I shoot lots of lead in my wheelguns, mostly wheelweights / range scrap, but the hot loads are all gas-checked and the light loads have usually ~3.2 - 3.5gr very fast powder (VV N310 or Titewad) and ~600 fps.

 

[Pencilneck]

Don't forget that a 357 is not a cannon even if some peoples think so. I've seen at my range someone shooting a python and it sounded like a 44 mag I went over to see what he was shooting thinking it was a 44 mag and told him you're killing that gun and it's a pity. 357 can shoot hot loads but you will shorten the life of your gun like any other gun. Your forcing cone will start to show wear way sooner.

 

[zthou]

I am not a pistol expert but I think when you want to load hot with lead bullets in .357 or .44 Mag. you want to look into gas checked bullets. If you are buying bulk lead bullets with no gas checks then I would not push it beyond 1200 FPS. Use those fast burning powders like h110, Herc Bullseye, etc. you can have a lot of fun and good accuracy with little cost. if you want to go fast I think you need a casting set up with the gas checks which I do not know much about but I am sure that there are many on this website that can help with that.

 

[jethunter]

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.

Your velocity is low because Titegroup is a poor powder for .357 and you load is too light.