Big boy .357 loads

[Jaker]

I have been working up some loads during the recent snowstorm in Utah so far I have loaded up some Speer 125 grain hollow points, Sierra 125 grain hollow points and now working on some Hornady 125 grain xtp. as soon as the weather clears up and i get a chance to go shooting I will post some pictures of my groups, I also plan on taking my chrony out with me to see what kind of velocity will come out of my 357 carbine!

[Travlin]

It will be interesting to see the results. Why all the light weight bullets? I would think the longer rifle barrel would bring the best out of 158 -180 grain slugs.

[Owly]

Using 158 gn plated RNFP bullets I see a 200 fps increase in velocity through my 20" barrel big boy as compared to the same load from my 4" GP100.

[Jaker]

Well the reason for light weight bullets is I wanted to see how good they would shoot I do plan on 140+ grain bullets if I take it hunting in the distant future I plan on trying the Hornady ftx 140 grain bullets but not until my brass needs trimmed as a special requirement by Hornady, I would also like to compare other bullets in the 158 gr range I wonder if leading would be a problem with say Oregon trail bullets at higher than pistol velocities? I also wonder if a semi was cutter bullet would be a suitable bullet shape? Any opinions would be great info!
As a side note the Speer 125 gr target loads proved very accurate plinkers, but a good range report will be posted when I go out shootin again. Thanks owly for the velocity report that helps me lots! I am estimating an 175 increase over my 4" s&w 686!

[Owly]

I would also like to compare other bullets in the 158 gr range I wonder if leading would be a problem with say Oregon trail bullets at higher than pistol velocities? I also wonder if a semi was cutter bullet would be a suitable bullet shape? Any opinions would be great info!

I've only had my Big Boy for a couple weeks, but it's already had a bunch of reloads through it. I've tried LSWC with gas checks. They cycled smoothly and shot fine. No leading at all, but these were gas checked. I also tried some low velocity 38 Special 125 gn LRNFP plain base and experienced the same. Smooth cycling and no lead.
I can't help with much else as I'm still learning the gun and haven't spent enough time with it yet.

[eldermike]

Way back when I was shooting International Metalic Silhoutte I used a 357mag barrel 14 inch in my Thompson Contender. I could not stabilize the 125 grain bullets and found the 180 grain to be best for accuracy. The problem I then ran into was limited case volume based upon seating the 180's at a depth that would allow the gun to close and lock. I was running 100% loading density and still not making the listed velocity for the load. I fixed that by reaming out the chamber and seating the bullet very shallow.

With a lever gun you need a good crimp and if it were me I would load it with 158 flat points and then see which of the available powders yields the best overall result.

[CT_Shooter]

I'm a new shooter AND a new reloader, so reloading success to me means "does it go bang and does it hit the target somewhere near where I'm aiming off-hand".

• I started out using ZERO 158 gr. JHPs with Hodgdon H110 powder at the bottom of Hornady's 9th Handbook recommended range, then step-by-step moved it up to just below the maximum charge for a rifle. I had no issues along the way, but decided, since I saw no discernible difference between loads, to back it down again to a load that's just over the starting load for a pistol.
  
  Then, when I had difficulty purchasing more of the 158s, I began to use ZERO 125 gr. JSPs with Hodgdon Universal at one step up from the starting load for pistols where I've kept it because they seem quite accurate to me, given my limited experience.
  
  I've also reloaded a few hundred Hornady 158 gr. LSWCs. For those, I used Win 231 below the high end for pistol loads. My Henry BB had no feeding problems with that bullet and no leading in the barrel.

All went bang and hit the target near where I was aiming.

[Jaker]

Way back when I was shooting International Metalic Silhoutte I used a 357mag barrel 14 inch in my Thompson Contender. I could not stabilize the 125 grain bullets and found the 180 grain to be best for accuracy. The problem I then ran into was limited case volume based upon seating the 180's at a depth that would allow the gun to close and lock. I was running 100% loading density and still not making the listed velocity for the load. I fixed that by reaming out the chamber and seating the bullet very shallow.

With a lever gun you need a good crimp and if it were me I would load it with 158 flat points and then see which of the available powders yields the best overall result.

Thanks for the info my initial thoughts was that Henry's come wIth a fairly slow twist I can't remember the exact twist at the moment, so I considered lower weight buts with higher velocity, although often times heavier bullets perform well at longer ranges....my girlfriend works at a sporting goods store and gets a hefty discount so I thought I would try the light bullets first, I plan on scoping my rifle to see what works best because I have decided it's either a scope or skinner sights I am not a huge fan of factory sights and have a hard time shooting a super tight group, I plan to move up to 140 then about 157 then possibly 180 gr bullets later on. If my carbine 357 likes heavier bullets I will just use the 125 for pistol I plan on doing extensive tests just probably won't be done working up a load for the next year,

[eldermike]

Way back when I was shooting International Metalic Silhoutte I used a 357mag barrel 14 inch in my Thompson Contender. I could not stabilize the 125 grain bullets and found the 180 grain to be best for accuracy. The problem I then ran into was limited case volume based upon seating the 180's at a depth that would allow the gun to close and lock. I was running 100% loading density and still not making the listed velocity for the load. I fixed that by reaming out the chamber and seating the bullet very shallow.

With a lever gun you need a good crimp and if it were me I would load it with 158 flat points and then see which of the available powders yields the best overall result.

Thanks for the info my initial thoughts was that Henry's come wIth a fairly slow twist I can't remember the exact twist at the moment, so I considered lower weight buts with higher velocity, although often times heavier bullets perform well at longer ranges....my girlfriend works at a sporting goods store and gets a hefty discount so I thought I would try the light bullets first, I plan on scoping my rifle to see what works best because I have decided it's either a scope or skinner sights I am not a huge fan of factory sights and have a hard time shooting a super tight group, I plan to move up to 140 then about 157 then possibly 180 gr bullets later on. If my carbine 357 likes heavier bullets I will just use the 125 for pistol I plan on doing extensive tests just probably won't be done working up a load for the next year,

Sounds like a solid plan. Keep good notes. Many years ago I created a standard form for myself and made copies to create my own personal loading manual and keep a history of what I do at the loading bench. Here is an example:

[Squatch]

It's been my experience 2 identical Henry Big Boy's can have distinct preferences for bullets of different weights. I pays to try different things till you find what it likes.