Who here reloads...

[Twitchs_Tackle]

Curious who on here does a lot of handgun reloads, primarily .40, 38, 357?

Priority being the .357, as I've been trying to find a few good combinations for this girl...



Anyone else with a Smith 686? I've found 'acceptable' performance with a few things, but nothing that said 'whoa baby'...

Thanks all!

[kigercreek]

That's the exact pistol I reload for in .357, and just getting ready to start loading some .38's for it, but I cannot find any Accurate #5 anywhere between Bend and Boise .

I've loaded using both Win 296 and Accurate #7 behind 158 gr TMJ's and HP's. I prefer the AA#7 to the 296. I've read conflicting reports regarding the Win 296 saying that it should not be loaded down, but only the maximum load, as lower loads can produce pressures exceeding the maximum recommended. However, there seems to be some conflict between manuals as to what the maximum is for the 296.

I've only been reloading for this pistol for a year or so, and haven't spent as much time at the range or with the chronograph as I'd like, but have put several hundred rounds through it already plinking and such, all with Winchester brass. I've found that my new bulk Win brass are not perfect by any means, as a mic on them often finds one side longer than the other, but still under specified case length. Other than that, no problems with brass after reloading nor with loose primers or cratering with the loads I've used. (I've been using Speer, Nosler and Accurate Arms load data for starting/max loads...)

This is the first pistol I've reloaded for, so learning about proper crimping and such along the way. Still a lot to learn, but having fun with the process!

[k9jeff]

I load a lot of handgun rounds, but, the calibers are .44 and .357 maximum.
Get a decent load book, start low and work it up. **** around with bullet weights and you will find your load. Thats part of the fun of reloading.

I had a 686 4" and traded it. It was one of the dumbest things I have ever done (and there is a quite an impressive list). It was a nice revolver!

I shoot boxloads of harcast lead .44 bullets. It saves some money.

[tdspence]

I haven't started loading yet for a .357, but I plan on starting this weekend (I won't have the gun until after the new year, i just already have all the stuff because it came with all the reloading items I bought). I will be loading up some with blue dot and bullseye (because thats what I have). Just from my experience with the .40 s&w and .45 Colt, both work pretty well. I haven't gotten anything dialed in yet. I due know blue dot is shown in lots of different load books in many different calibers and it is one of the fastest powders. Lyman also has a book on just handgun reloading that I would suggest getting. I like that it also suggest hunting and accuracy loads for almost every caliber.

[bigjake_888]

[quote=kigercreek;2304681] but I cannot find any Accurate #5 anywhere between Bend and Boise .


Seems like everyone has purchased all the reloading equipment in portland too.

[Don Fischer]

Ya might not like this but, try a 148gr cast wadcutter in a 38spec case with 2.5 grs Bullseye. I also like a 155gr HP cast Keith type and 5.5grs HS-6.

[Bait O' Eggs]

I reload for a 4 inch 686 - 357 mag.

When you get to much powder in the casings, you will know because the empty casings are really hard to get out of the cylinder

[pathfinder]

I reload , 357/38 ,
for 38, 140 gr speer jhp .w/ 8 gr blue dot
125 gr 8 gr

for 357 ,
140 gr speer jhp w/ 14 gr blue dot
125 gr w/ 15 gr blue dot

[Blackbeardown]

Look at H110 for the 357 and Unique for the 38...these work well for me.

[bait dunker]

Originally Posted by pathfinder

I reload , 357/38 ,
for 38, 140 gr speer jhp .w/ 8 gr blue dot
125 gr 8 gr

for 357 ,
140 gr speer jhp w/ 14 gr blue dot
125 gr w/ 15 gr blue dot

I love blue dot, but its not for everyone. its loud, obnoxious powder. I use the 125 gr hp/ blue dot load, DEFINATELY use hearing protection and have advil ready for after 20-30 rounds

[jmg]

Eric here's my dad's load for his 6" 686. 18 grns of H110, 125 grn bullet is around 17-1800 fps. You might lighten it up a touch.

[baltz526]

now if someone knows a great 44mag load that dosn't use h110

[k9jeff]

44 Mag load, now you talking.

I use blue dot, w126, 4227 and universal. let me know what bullet you are shooting and I will give you loads from light recoil plinking to hotter (hang onto you hat) hunting loads.

Jeff

I also have some .44 special loads which are light and fun for targets.

[baltz526]

i have 240 and 300 noslers, blue dot and 4227. 9" redhawk

[High Country]

Baltz, Just curious why no H110?

[baltz526]

i tried it in this gun, erratic accuracy

[k9jeff]

I had good luck in my 5.5 blackhawk (magnaport) 20.3 of w296 300gn Nosler hp. Grouped well at 50 yards.

My go to load for 240 grain jhp is 14.5 blue dot, it does well in my gun.

8.0 grains of universal, 240gn lead semi wadcutter, light recoil, smokes some (lube), accurate. I also use this when loading Berrys 240gn bullets. I will hit at 50 yards without an issue. Good practice load.

I started using 19.5grains of imr4227 in my 357 maximum blackhawk, 180 grain remington jhp. Deadly at 50 yards. Also pretty crisp. I will check it out at 100 yards next weekend while trying to knock the steel ram over.

I am going to load some 4227 in some 44mag 240 jhp tomarrow. I am going to start it out at 20.5 grains and go from there if needed.

all 44 loads are with CCI 300 primers.

357 maximum are loaded with CCI small rifle primers.

Hornady is going to start selling the leverevolution bullet soon. It is a warm accurate factory round in my 29-2 smith. I am looking forward to loading my own with that bullet.

Good luck.

Jeff

[Fish_N_Russ]

4" 686 for me also.......old OSP gun with orig holster from nelson leatherworks in Scio (kinda cool).....
anyway W231 has always worked well for me in 38 and light to mod 357 loads. My 686 shoots a 2-3" group at 50 yards with good hardcast or plated reloads.

[Norm]

Originally Posted by baltz526

now if someone knows a great 44mag load that dosn't use h110

For W296/H110 make sure to use magnum primers and "full" loads, I run 24-25gr with 240gr bullets and 20gr for 300gr bullets. My best loads for those powders are compressed. I also like 2400, but it's pretty dirty powder. You might try AA#9, or some IMR 4227. Disclaimer - start low and work up, the loads listed here may not be safe in all firearms . So far those loads work fine in my 2" tracker and 4" 629

For .44 special/.38 special I just use Unique, it seems to work fine at lower charges. A pound goes a long ways

[baltz526]

i have some h4227 loads to test. next time i go shoot. i have lots of blue dot so i'll try that next

[BrianMaguire]

I reload, mostly rifle rounds.

[Dextreme]

Originally Posted by Blackbeardown

Look at H110 for the 357 and Unique for the 38...these work well for me.

Yep, that was what I too was going to recommend.

[Quaka Wacka]

I've got a 686 .357 that I want to start reloading for too. Anybody hunt with one(deer, elk, bear, cougar)? What bullets do you use? Anybody use carbide dies?

[Norm]

Originally Posted by Quaka Wacka

I've got a 686 .357 that I want to start reloading for too. Anybody hunt with one(deer, elk, bear, cougar)? What bullets do you use? Anybody use carbide dies?

Nosler makes some handgun paritions, .357 might be a little light for elk IMO. Pretty much all pistol dies are carbide, make sure and get a lee crimp die, it's about the best $13.00 you can spend reloading straight wall cartridges IMO.

[bait dunker]

The only thing the 357 is suitable for hunting is criminals and rabbits. The 357 is in no way a deer cartridge. Sure, someone will say they have killed a deer with one but a 22 long rifle has probably killed millions of deer too and is not a legal or ethical/effective cartridge.