.357 170gr cast

Ok, all the .38s are done... now to start the 170gr bullets we cast at the casting party.

I need to load ideas for .357; need a good sarting load that I can work up from. Use is both revolver and .357 carbine ( 16" barrel).
My preferenc for powders is Hodgdon's stuff:
TiteGroup
HP38
LilGun

But I will entertain other common powders.

My Hodgdon's book doesn't show a 170gr boolit. But looks like you could start somewhere between these 2 numbers.

Titegroup 158 gr. 6.1 gr powder. 180 gr. 5.5 = 5.8
Lilgun 18.0 15.0 = 16.7
HP38 6.9 no show

Go to the Hodgdon website and see what the dats is. hodgdon.com

canebreaker wrote:My Hodgdon's book doesn't show a 170gr boolit. But looks like you could start somewhere between these 2 numbers.

Titegroup 158 gr. 6.1 gr powder. 180 gr. 5.5 = 5.8
Lilgun 18.0 15.0 = 16.7
HP38 6.9 no show

Go to the Hodgdon website and see what the dats is. hodgdon.com

Hodgdon web site is the first place I go, second is the little free handbook I picked up at BP. However, ( and I am not looking right now) I think the 180gr you show is for JHP, not cast. I dont recall seeing any cast over 158gr. Hodgdon is real bad about only showing loads for thier bullets it seems these days. I am considering just breaking down and getting a Lyman data book, it has thier cast bullets in it. At least they are cast!

Pinetor

I looked in my Lyman Reloading Handbook 49th edition, Lyman Cast Bullet Handbook (3rd and 4th editions) and the RCBS Cast Bullet Manual for loads using your listed powders. The powders you list are NOT shown. Save your money and don't by the Lyman books unless you intend to get different powders. The manufacturer of the powders may have some loads you could use.

I found the following in my readings. It may help you.

For a given weight of jacketed bullet and a NON-SPHERICAL powder type---

Jacketed max minus Jacketed min (or start) = Difference
J min minus Difference = Cast bullet start

For PB cast bullets, stop increasing load when J min (or start) load is reached or leading starts.

For GC cast bullets, about the middle of the J bullet range should be the maximum load. Of course, if leading starts before then, stop increasing the powder load.

Good luck in your search for some loads.

Doggoner

doggoner wrote:Pinetor

I looked in my Lyman Reloading Handbook 49th edition, Lyman Cast Bullet Handbook (3rd and 4th editions) and the RCBS Cast Bullet Manual for loads using your listed powders. The powders you list are NOT shown. Save your money and don't by the Lyman books unless you intend to get different powders. The manufacturer of the powders may have some loads you could use.

I found the following in my readings. It may help you.

For a given weight of jacketed bullet and a NON-SPHERICAL powder type---

Jacketed max minus Jacketed min (or start) = Difference
J min minus Difference = Cast bullet start

For PB cast bullets, stop increasing load when J min (or start) load is reached or leading starts.

For GC cast bullets, about the middle of the J bullet range should be the maximum load. Of course, if leading starts before then, stop increasing the powder load.

Good luck in your search for some loads.

Doggoner

OK NOW that is some cool as heck info... now I am gonna have some fun! many thanks!!!

Pinetor

Just remember this is for NON-SPHERICAL type powders.

Doggoner

doggoner wrote:Pinetor

Just remember this is for NON-SPHERICAL type powders.

Doggoner

I am pretty sure those listed are non-spherical.

231 is ball if I'm not mistaken

pinetor wrote:

doggoner wrote:Pinetor

Just remember this is for NON-SPHERICAL type powders.

Doggoner

I am pretty sure those listed are non-spherical.

I don't know about Lil'Gun, but the other two are "spherical" per Hodgdon: http://www.hodgdon.com/shotpist.html

Winchester calls 231, which is the same as HP38, "ball" (see top of the page calling them "ball pistol powders": http://www.wwpowder.com/pistol.html Winchester has trademarked the term "ball powder" (see the circle "R" registered trademark symbol after "Ball" and is consequently the only manufacturer that uses it.

DBChaffin wrote:

pinetor wrote:

doggoner wrote:Pinetor

Just remember this is for NON-SPHERICAL type powders.

Doggoner

I am pretty sure those listed are non-spherical.

I don't know about Lil'Gun, but the other two are "spherical" per Hodgdon: http://www.hodgdon.com/shotpist.html

Winchester calls 231, which is the same as HP38, "ball" (see top of the page calling them "ball pistol powders": http://www.wwpowder.com/pistol.html Winchester has trademarked the term "ball powder" (see the circle "R" registered trademark symbol after "Ball" and is consequently the only manufacturer that uses it.

Thanks for the catch... well dern. "flattened Spherical" ... what an unhelpful term.