357 Mag bullets for SASS?

[Tall John]

I have a bunch of 357 mag cases and thinking about reloading some for SASS.  For those that are doing the same, what weight bullet works best (125gr or 158gr) and I’m even interested in what you’ve found to be the optimum Cowboy load using TiteGroup, Red Dot or TrailBoss powders

 

Thanks!

[Nostrum Damus SASS #110702]

I load 357Mag for me and the diminutive Bullion Rose with:

POWDER / CHARGE: 3.2 gr RED DOT
BULLET: 125gr RNFP; Lee Mold 358-125-RF

Works great, easy to shoot.
 

[Sam Sackett]

My most common load is 3.0 grains of Bullseye, Red Dot, or Clays with either a 125 or 158 round flat bullet. Titegroup is about the same burn rate, so you could use that same load with it. If it burns dirty, add a couple of tenths until it cleans up. 
 

Lotsa fun!

Sam Sackett 

[Nostrum Damus SASS #110702]

I should add that we shoot that same load in both pistol and rifle.  Works great in both.

[Rye Miles #13621]

I use 3.5 grs of Titegroup in .38 spl cases with a 125 grain bullet. My friend used the same on .357 cases.

[Doc Hurd #12379]

 I loaded .357 brass with 3 grains of titegroup, 125gr bullet, with Federal primers. Nice accurate load for rifle and revolvers.  If I remember correctly this was the load Evil Roy used at one time.

[ORNERY OAF]

If you use the 158g, you can make fun of the 45guys using those lil 130g bb bullets.....

[Edward R S Canby, SASS#59971]

I only load 158 grain bullets in 357 mag cases as I primarily shoot them in rifles.  A 158-grain bullet crimped in the crimp groove feeds smoothly in my lever-action rifles.  I do not load with the powders you mentioned.  I load with Unique for smokeless loads and Triple Seven for BP loads.  BTW, 357 mag rounds loaded with a full charge of a slower burning pistol powder work well in pistol-caliber, long range rifle side matches.  I load 125 grain bullets in 38 Special cases for my revolvers.  

Edited January 30 by Edward R S Canby, SASS#59971
grammar

[Hoss]

4 hours ago, Edward R S Canby, SASS#59971 said:

I only load 158 grain bullets in 357 mag cases as I primarily shoot them in rifles.  A 158-grain bullet crimped in the crimp groove feeds smoothly in my lever-action rifles.  I do not load with the powders you mentioned.  I load with Unique for smokeless loads and Triple Seven for BP loads.  BTW, 357 mag rounds loaded with a full charge of a slower burning pistol powder work well in pistol-caliber, long range rifle side matches.  I load 125 grain bullets in 38 Special cases for my revolvers.  

I bought a Browning 92 for exactly this!  I found some 180 grn bullets to try. Going to use Unique powder. Just have to work up a load.
FWIW the Browning feeds my 38sp 125 grn loads fine, and is accurate to 150 yds. I just want to play with the heavier bullets to see how they do. 

[Dusty Devil Dale]

Let's be clear. 

If we are talking about 'bullets', we are not talking about 'cases' or 'loads'.   Most here are aware of the following:

 

Any .38cal unjacketed bullets are SASS-acceptable, loaded into in either .38sp or .357mag cases.  Most shooters prefer lighter bullets like 105 -130 gn, rather than deal with the greater muzzle flip of heavier projectiles.  158gn are sometimes better for heavier knockdown targets, IMO.   

 

.357 magnum loads (or other magnum loads) are illegal for SASS competition (and their energy would very likely be a splatter/ricochet hazzard and damaging to steel plate targets), although many shooters load .38 special loads into .357 mag cases.  

 

[Sam Sackett]

1 hour ago, Dusty Devil Dale said:

Let's be clear. 

If we are talking about 'bullets', we are not talking about 'cases' or 'loads'.   Most here are aware of the following:

 

Any .38cal unjacketed bullets are SASS-acceptable, loaded into in either .38sp or .357mag cases.  Most shooters prefer lighter bullets like 105 -130 gn, rather than deal with the greater muzzle flip of heavier projectiles.  158gn are sometimes better for heavier knockdown targets, IMO.   

 

.357 magnum loads (or other magnum loads) are illegal for SASS competition (and their energy would very likely be a splatter/ricochet hazzard and damaging to steel plate targets), although many shooters load .38 special loads into .357 mag cases.  

 

Let’s be even more clear. The Op asked what bullets we would recommend. Then he also asked for any load info we would recommend and listed the powders he has available. I believe the posted responses tried to answer both requests. Full strength 357 mag loads have not been discussed, as we are aware they have  high velocities that are above SASS rules.

 

Not trying to be snarky, but just answering the Ops original questions. 
 

Sam Sackett 
 

 

[Dusty Devil Dale]

3 hours ago, Sam Sackett said:

Let’s be even more clear. The Op asked what bullets we would recommend. Then he also asked for any load info we would recommend and listed the powders he has available. I believe the posted responses tried to answer both requests. Full strength 357 mag loads have not been discussed, as we are aware they have  high velocities that are above SASS rules.

 

Not trying to be snarky, but just answering the Ops original questions. 
 

Sam Sackett 
 

 

Fair enough, if you are sure that everybody reading this knows the velocity limits, etc.  There could be new people out there who are as yet less informed and are still working at  trying to assemble their equipment and ammo loading supplies.  To them, the OP could be read as asking about .357mag bullets and loads.  My comments were intended for those readers.   

Edited January 31 by Dusty Devil Dale

[Cpt Dan Blodgett, SASS #75655]

I shoot 158 grain SWC loaded in .357 cases at .38 special level velocities.  Am using the 158 SWC as I have shot them for years punching paper normally from .38 special revolvers so I had a bunch on hand. I chose to use the .357 case to eliminate the carbon ring one can get shooting .38 Special brass in .357 Magnum chambers.  They feed just fine in my Miroku 1892 carbine.  One must use enough of a roll crimp to have a slight radius at the case mouth for proper feeding.  If the semi wad cutter bullets did not feed from my rifle I would have purchased round nose flat point bullets.  This was not necessary in the case of my Miroku 92, the only .357 rifle I own.  

[Kid Rich]

This question is like asking someone if blonds, brunettes or redheads are the best. It all comes down to personal preference.

kR

[Rye Miles #13621]

45 minutes ago, Kid Rich said:

This question is like asking someone if blonds, brunettes or redheads are the best. It all comes down to personal preference.

kR

Gentlemen prefer blondes 👱 😂

[John Kloehr]

10 hours ago, Dusty Devil Dale said:

Fair enough, if you are sure that everybody reading this knows the velocity limits, etc.  There could be new people out there who are as yet less informed and are still working at  trying to assemble their equipment and ammo loading supplies.  To them, the OP could be read as asking about .357mag bullets and loads.  My comments were intended for those readers.   

Count me in that group. I can not contribute suggestions at this point as I am only finally setting up for reloading. I opened this thread in hopes of learning something. I'll try to give back in a year or three.

I do know enough to understand a magnum load is too much for this sport but there are those who will embark on the path with less knowledge than I have. Anyway, I did find your reminder valuable.

 

Apologies to the OP for my contribution of clutter to your thread.

[Tall John]

Thanks guys!