I have a bunch of 148 hardcast Wadcutters, anyone using them with blue dot? I found some old Alliant data that lists 1.33"COAL and 9-10grns charge weight. Does that sound about right? My OAL will be a bit longer at 1.42" to utilize the crimp groove. Should lower pressures if anything... I should also mention they are a bit wide at .360" diameter. I hear that oversized leadbullets are popular with wheel guns with some guys casting as big as they can while still fitting in the cylinder?
Lead Wadcutters and Blue Dot in .357?
- Thread starter B
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Yes, crimp into the crimping groove, with some lead protruding out the front.
Those bullets make excellent plinkers. Blue Dot is good for high velocity loads, and would not be my first choice for plinkers. i would prefer something faster, with Unique being as about as slow as I would go.
But, if Blue Dot is what you have, make 10 of each, form 7 to 10 gr, in 0.5 gr increments, and see what works. I would expect the mild loads to be erratic, and the hottest ones to lead the barrel. Start low, work up, looking for accuracy.
Those bullets make excellent plinkers. Blue Dot is good for high velocity loads, and would not be my first choice for plinkers. i would prefer something faster, with Unique being as about as slow as I would go.
But, if Blue Dot is what you have, make 10 of each, form 7 to 10 gr, in 0.5 gr increments, and see what works. I would expect the mild loads to be erratic, and the hottest ones to lead the barrel. Start low, work up, looking for accuracy.
I use 10 to 11grns with a 180 LRN bullet in 10mm with great results. I know it's apples to oranges but with the .357s slightly greater case capacity and the fact I'm using a bullet 32grns lighters the old Alliant load seems reasonable? I think leading is my biggest concern. Unfortunately I don't have the powder selection I used to, really hoping to use BD as it's something I am very familiar with and have a good amount of.
Go ahead with the test I suggested and let us know what works.
My LGS has been getting some titegroup from time to time. That is a good powder for plinking and accuracy loads. You might try calling a few dealers and asking to be put on a wait list for 231 and TiteGroup. A pound or two of that will go a long way.
My LGS has been getting some titegroup from time to time. That is a good powder for plinking and accuracy loads. You might try calling a few dealers and asking to be put on a wait list for 231 and TiteGroup. A pound or two of that will go a long way.
I put together some loads as you talked about Ganderite, it's what I had planned anyway. I didn't start as low as you suggested since blue dot is terrible at low pressures but one way or another I will get things figured. I can deal with a bit of leading as long as it's not to the point where other issues arise.
I had time to test out the loads tonight, made it to 10 grains without significant leading. Recoil was stout but the load was accurate, a little dirty but I've shot much worse. I am glad I went ahead and tried it.
gunrunner8
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WARNING!
IIRC about 20+years ago there was warning from Alliant about useing Blue Dot and "light bullets" in 357Mag.
I say 140gr is kind of light for 357Mag and I wouldn't use that powder with lighter than 156gr bullets if at all.
IIRC about 20+years ago there was warning from Alliant about useing Blue Dot and "light bullets" in 357Mag.
I say 140gr is kind of light for 357Mag and I wouldn't use that powder with lighter than 156gr bullets if at all.
