.357 advice

[Dougan]

Hi Rob,

Assuming you're talking about .303 now - I've recently (but sadly) inhehited an old RCBS press and dies from a club member; which is part of the reason why i'm looking at reloading .303. I've also being trying to talk my club commitee into getting a chrono (may just have to get one myself..). Like I said - I'll be back for .303 info in a while...

Cheers,

John.

[Mike357]

K

Again, thanks for all the comments and advice.

There's plenty of info to go at - certainly I will change to a faster powder (staying above starting loads); and then experiment with bullets and primers. Ironically I'll probably end up not far off from the load I started with a few years ago..... before I started 'trying things' :roll:

I'll get back to you in a few months, and let you know how it goes. After I've sorted out a safe and accurate GR load, I fancy trying loading for my SMLE (factory is getting expensive) - So will be back for more advice. I can't offer any help on reloading, but if anyone wants to discuss TR (must check other areas of this forum) - positioning, windage etc....I'd be happy to help.

Cheers,
John.


Mike: I doubt I'll be making any national teams, but if you're ever down this way for the Phoenix or Trafalgar meetings, I'll happily buy you a pint/tea in exchange for some advice on GR technique.

Lol, you don't want to be using my technique. See you at the Phoenix next year.

[Dougan]

Update:

Finally got round to picking up some new powder, and changing my .357 load (got side-tracked by the .303 loading :) ).

.357 cases, CCI SP primers and RNFP 158gr - used the load data for .38 spl (thanks again for that tip ) and started with 3.5 gr of Vhit 320.

Tried them down the range at 25 yrs tonight, and to be honest, they weren't great - felt quite 'soft', some flyers, and the best 10 shot group (rested aswell) was 1.5" - the 'muzzel flash' was gone though...

So a little more powder (will try the next 2 holes on the auto disk) next Thursday.....

[Dougan]

Have finally settled on a .357 load...

In many ways it's been more difficult than the .303 ...but then I've made a bit of a 'meal' of it, and ended up pretty much back at the load I started with 2 years ago :roll:

I was having trouble (not sure why :? ) getting consistancy shooting the lever action on a bag - so have had to do most of the testing shooting normally - so it's taken time to get solid results (some nights you know you're shooting rubish).

Have been testing 3.5, 3.8 and 4.1 gr of Vhit 320 (dictated by the 'auto loader'..don't want to load .357 individually), with CCI primers and 158 gr RNFP boolits. The change back to CCI definatly reduced the power, allowing more powder in the case. And you can feel (maybe imagination) that the 320 is faster than the 340 (no more muzzle flash). The 4.1s were always a wide group - the 3.5s weren't bad, but still a 'low load' - the 3.8s were consitently better in all tests, and tonight I managed to put a reasonable group in a 25 yrds with them:

Thanks again for all the good advice and tips

[simong]

What hoh!

357 case, CCI primers, 3.2 grns Bullseye 158 t/c's these work very well in my marlin ( tricked and slicked by Rimfire Magic) This load shoots wide single hole groups when I rest the rifle......
No real recoil or flash and many reloads from a tube of bullseye :-)

Just my 2p worth..

ttfn

Simon

[Alpha1]

Thats the same load I shoot in my winchester only I use 38special cases 158g semi wad cutter 3.2 grains of bulls eye used it for years I can cut the middle out of the target at 25yds with it with iron sights. It will cycle them as fast as you can work the action.

[Dougan]

What hoh!

357 case, CCI primers, 3.2 grns Bullseye 158 t/c's these work very well in my marlin ( tricked and slicked by Rimfire Magic) This load shoots wide single hole groups when I rest the rifle......
No real recoil or flash and many reloads from a tube of bullseye :-)

Just my 2p worth..

ttfn

Simon

Thanks for your '2p worth' Simong :) . I got my Marlin from Rimfire Magic too (they've got to re-think that name :lol: ) ...trigger job, trick and slick....have put over a thousands rounds down it without a hint of a jam, and have only cleaned it once...excellent gun

[Steve]

Im gonna take my Winchester to Barton road next time and have a go at 100mtrs,but i will have to stoke up it up a wee bit. :lol:

[ovenpaa]

Do you get to Bassingbourne with your club? I seem to remember they allow pistol calibres.

[Steve]

Do you get to Bassingbourne with your club? I seem to remember they allow pistol calibres.

I havent been to Bassingbourne for well over 25 years...i was a kid on a school trip last time. :lol:

Yes,the VAA do shoot there although i havent and i guess pistol calibres would be fine because of their 5.56 restriction.