.357 magnum reloads

[ftncityfatboy]

minor issue with latest .357 mag reloads: Used 5.8 grains Accurate #2 powder, 158 grain LRN boolit. Didn't get OAL due to battery in my caliber dead. Took about 18 to range, shoot them, they went bang, had a very hard time ejecting the shells from their chambers. Did I seat the boolit to far thus causing excess pressure and expanding the shell? I'm thinking this might have been the cause, but anyone else ever have this issue?

[Guest Lester Weevils]

Hi ftncityfatboy

You probably know as much about it as me.

Do you have a finished-round case gage? It doesn't replace a caliper, but I usually test-fit each finished round in a case gage along with primer checking, visual exam for splits, etc.

http://www.dillonprecision.com/#/content/p/9/pid/25548/catid/3/Dillon_Handgun_Case_Gages

A friend had an old Rossi snub-nose .357 that was always a difficult-eject after firing. I assumed it was a problem with the revolver, cause I'd never had any such trouble with a S&W 649 or 586.

I recently traded off the 649 and can't recheck the situation. The last time I had it out at the range shortly before trading, the little 10 year old snubnose suddenly started doing the same thing-- Hard to eject either with self-defense ammo or reloads. The reloads were old stock reloaded years ago, from a half-used-up box of reloads. Never had that problem with em before, unless reloads can get stronger just sitting on the shelf <g>.

Before I took the snubbie out that last time, had done a better-than-average cleaning of it. I thought was being very thorough in the cleaning.

Wondered if maybe I'd managed to stir up some dirt and get a thin 'invisible' layer of grunge coating the cylinder holes? Dunno.

====

edit: did your fired primers look unusually flat, or show other signs of over-pressure?

Edited June 2, 2010 by Lester Weevils

[ftncityfatboy]

i will be sorting the range brass today and will check the primers for the .357 / last time I went to the range I used all factory loads and did not have this issue so must be the reloads. got to me in the boolit seating or crimping. but, i will most def check the primers...

[I_Like_Pie]

If you used the crimp groove of the bullet...OAL shouldn't be the problem.

No 2 is a really fast powder for magnum pistol loads. I think this may be more along the lines of your problem. Those fast powders really get "peaky" and unpredictible when pushed above 30,000 psi - along the range of most magnum loads.

It just isn't really made for magnum loads.

[Trekbike]

No 2 is a really fast powder for magnum pistol loads.

I agree with Pie on this one. No. 2 shows up at #13 on the list, compared to Win 296 at # 72, which is a very common powder for .357.

Powder Burn Rates

[ftncityfatboy]

great info, I will change powders.....let you know

[LngRngShtr]

Also check that you didn't fire many .38SPL in the gun prior they will leave a ring at the case mouth that the 357Mag case ( 1/10" longer) will pressure form to and make extraction "sticky"

pics of primers and sides of casings would help us see whats happening..

John

[dlm37015]

aa 2 is way too fast try aa9 cleaner than 296 or 110 catch me at the gunshow in knoxville and i will give you a pound of aa9 try it one time you are hooked on it

[SpacemanSpiff]

I use AA #7 or AA #9 for .357 magnums. Works great, although I've only used with jacketed bullets. I use #2 for .38 spl and it was recommended to me, from someone here, to use #2 on .45 acp.

AA does not even show any #2 loads for .357 on their data sheet ... http://www.accuratepowder.com/data/Acc%20Guide%20v3.3%20version.pdf

[Guest Lester Weevils]

Never used anything except Blue Dot on .357, which seems to work OK. Maybe something else would be way better.

Awhile back they released a revised smaller max load for Blue Dot, but I've never loaded anywhere near max in the past. Am close to the "new" max for some .357 rifle loads.

[ftncityfatboy]

aa 2 is way too fast try aa9 cleaner than 296 or 110 catch me at the gunshow in knoxville and i will give you a pound of aa9 try it one time you are hooked on it

I will definitely look you up at the show, I will also be shopping for 158 grain LSWC for .38 special and researching some lead for the .357 mag.

[Guest tnvolfan]

Hi there FtncityFatboy,

You did use a small magnum primer didn't you?

Just curious. . . I haven't made any 357mags for my gun yet, but I plan on using Win 231 with some bullets that I hope to get from dlm37015 when I see him Saturday. You can't go wrong with anything you get from dlm37015. He's a wonderful source for info as well as anything ya need. Hope to see you there Sat!

[dlm37015]

i will be there lots of new stuff this time and as always TGO members get 10 off

[I_Like_Pie]

2400 (if you like the manufacturer) has been the de-facto standard for .357 magnum for as long as it has been made. It is very forgiving, provides a wide range of loads for all bullets, meters well, and does not require magnum primers.

It is a bit dirty....the only drawback.

158 SWC with 1.0cc of 2400 (that would be 13.5 grains) is a wonderful load....not too hot to kill brass life. Not too mild to where you would ever think that you are shooting a .38 special.

[dlm37015]

aa number 9 very clean very forgiving ball powder don't need a magnum primer cheaper was orginaly wc820 a gov. powder for 30 carbine but more user friendly

than 296 or h110 i try not to quote load data but will give you a new load guide

also makes great loads in 10mm

[Louisb]

How fast or slow a powder is, is of little consequence as long as one stays within the load data parameters as published by the powders manufacturer, or any published loading manual.

I just checked AA's manual and no bullet is listed with less that 5.8 as a starting load so that should not have been an issue.

Are you sure you loaded 5.8 grains of AA#2?

Could be an issue of soft brass or rough chamber.

A friend had issues with his guns and a particular powder. I got a mostly full can of powder out of it and loaded various loads ( mild to max) and had no issues. Even bought a pound to keep loading it.

[ftncityfatboy]

Picked up some AA #9 at Knoxville Gun Show, made some reloads, 12.2 grains with 158 grain LSWC.....tight groupings, shells released VERY easy from their chambers. I did use mag primers, I'll try some w/o the mag primers. Thanks for all the help!!!