158gr LSWC, 357 mag,Unique=Help

So I think I have been using the wrong data for loading 158gr LSWC (Hardness 16-17) for 357 magnum with Unique.

Alliant Powder website shows a Speer 158gr LSWC and lists max of 6.0gr. Older books for 158gr show all the way up to 8.0gr.

Ive loaded and shot some at 5.5gr, but im wondering if its safe to work my way up to about 6.5-7.0gr?Is the Speer bullet a soft swaged bullet? Anyone have a pet load using this combo? My newer books don't list anything close using Unique.https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/201...1d75ebcde7.jpghttps://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/201...1faffa107a.jpghttps://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/201...4ce43d6f04.jpg

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Should mention I'm not after full power magnum loads, just wanting to get the pressure up to get these bullets to obturate to see if it helps with accuracy and leading. The 5.5gr shoots like a 38 special to me.

My Lee book shows 5.3 to 6.0 for Unique.https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/201...2ff409bf0a.jpg

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I load using the old lee book. Seems a bit hot in the upper ranges, which is why maybe they watered them down a bit in newer books.
I loaf AA#7 and AA#9 and get full house magnum loads.
You just need to try and work up slowly, watching for all the normal pressure signs

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Originally Posted by Shak3s1977

Should mention I'm not after full power magnum loads, just wanting to get the pressure up to get these bullets to obturate to see if it helps with accuracy and leading. The 5.5gr shoots like a 38 special to me.

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I use 6.8gr of unique with 158gr swc out of my 357 revolver, and the same load of 6.8gr with 158gr plated HP out of my 357gr lever gun.


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Well I loaded 10 at 6gr, 10 at 6.2gr, 10 at 6.4gr and 10 at 6.6gr. Won't get to test them till Sunday, unless I can sneak out earlier. Thanks everyone.

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Originally Posted by Shak3s1977

Well I loaded 10 at 6gr, 10 at 6.2gr, 10 at 6.4gr and 10 at 6.6gr. Won't get to test them till Sunday, unless I can sneak out earlier. Thanks everyone.

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Keep us posted of your results.


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Well I finally got to the range. Here is the update. Ruger Bisley Vaquero 357 mag 6in barrel

6.0gr 1076 Average Spread 53 Dev 19
6.2gr 1106 Average Spread 31 Dev 11
6.4gr 1122 Average Spread 80 Dev 28
6.6gr 1138 Average Spread 28 Dev 12

Leading was still pretty bad in the barrel.

I ran across a post that a guy was loading hard cast bullets in 357 magnum. He was having leading with 6.7gr of Unique. He switched to 12.2gr of Accurate #9 and the leading went away. I Had a few bullets left so I had my dad load 20 rounds up with 12.4gr of Accurate #9. BINGO. Very little leading in the barrel.

So I finally learned something. 16-17 Brinell is good for a slow burning powder at Magnum levels but way too hard for 38 special and light magnum loads using a medium burn powder.

And those 12.4gr #9? All 6 shots touching at 10 yards. No I didn't shoot them that good lol, but my dad did. I always let him try my loads for accuracy since he shoots way better than me. That way I know if the load is good and I need more practice, or if the load is just a non accurate load.

I need to find some softer lead bullets for 38/357 mag. Seems everyone casts their bullets extremely hard (15-18 Brinell) for what I want to do. I'm thinking I need around 8-10 for 38 specials and maybe 10-12 for magnum loads.

Try powder coating your bullets. It will eliminate all leading.

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I agree with the powder coating almost no leading what so ever. You can also use softer lead hardness if you powder coat which lowers the cost to cast as softer lead is cheaper than having to add hardcast to your alloy