.357 Bullet Weight

[Gunny268]

I've been experimenting with both my 357 Rossi 16" SRC(s). I've found that the Lee 158 gr. RNFP loaded with 296/H110 in 357 brass @ 1150 to 1200 fps are really accurate at 50 yds, but I've observed some key-holes @ 100 yds. Bump them up to 1600+ fps and they will hold a 2-2.5" group at 100 yds without any key-holing (sandbag rest, open sights, and me doing my part).
The Lee 125 gr. RNFP loaded with Titegroup in 38 brass or 231 in 357 brass @ 1200 fps can/will produce 2-2.5" groups @ 100 yds and everything was inside 4" @ 200 yds. Recoil was so mild, I can shoot this load all day long (or till my eyes get tired.)

[Archer]

1200 FPS for .357 Mag out of a 5# rifle is a very mild load.

I had a friend in college who loaded .45 Colt for a 16" Winchester 94.
It was pretty much like shooting the cork ball firing cap guns I got when I was six or seven years old.

[Gunny268]

Hey Archer,
Like I said "Recoil was so mild, I could shoot this load all day." We are talking about a pistol cartridge after all.

[Ranger59]

I have the 16 in model and it likes 125 gns RNFP over 6 gns CFE Pistol. It shoots to point of aim up to 50 yds. I have not tried at 100 yds.

[Aleksei]

Finally got to test out some 158gr .357 mag. loads in the Rossi. It looks like 15.2 gr. of H110 gives the smallest groups.
Next is to get the Chrono out to see what kind of speed I'm getting.

[mr surveyor]

I started tinkering with GT bullets 2-3 months ago in the .357's, both the 145 grain and the 165 grain. Seems all the GT offerings are cast lead hollow points. But, the profile is what I was looking for to use in the Rossi and it seems to be just about perfect. Everything I've tried in both bullet weights and various charges of either AA#9 or A-2400 seem to hit generally POA, with only group size to deal with. Still scratching my head about that, but these are the first cast hollow points I tried.

GT 165GR.JPG

This load has seemed to be the most accurate, even though some would consider it a bit slow at only 1560 fps. OK with me though. I need to order a bigger batch of the 165's soon.

GT LHP B-B 165GR.jpg

Still room for improvement, but I'm afraid the improvement in more "me".


jd

[Archer]

Those rounds look pretty good to me.
I'm not a huge HP fan in the levers but I might have to take a look at some of those.
If nothing else they look pretty darned good to be loading in a handgun.