158gr SWC Not Grouping Well in El Patron .357

Peyote Pete · May 01, 2021, 05:35:56 PM

Tried some with 14.0 gr #2400 today, not impressed with accuracy one bit. The same charge under a Remington JHP grouped much better. I also rediscovered that full bore magnum rounds in lighter revolvers are noisy and recoil is substantial. I had a GP 100 (gave to son) and the extra weight and rubber grips helped taming recoil a lot. I think I'll try some Unique and/or HS-6 with this bullet and see how they fare. I really had high hopes for this bullet but now I'm not sure I picked the right one. Hopefully one of the other powders will shoot straight without rattling my teeth out of my head, so I can get back to fun plinking !

Lord Eoin MacKenzie · May 02, 2021, 02:25:44 AM

I load .5CC/4.6gr of unique for use in my carry 38. you might try .7cc,for little more kick.

Peyote Pete · May 02, 2021, 09:01:06 AM

The Unique data I found recommends starting with 6.0 gr and max of 7.7 gr for a 158 gr lead bullet. Hodgdon data for HS-6 with 158 gr is start @ 6.0 gr with max at 9.7 gr. Which ever one is more accurate will be the go-to. For the JHP I'm going to try some Allian BE-86.

Ranch 13 · May 02, 2021, 09:35:19 AM

Back that 2400 down to 13 grains. If those bullets aren't 358-359 diameter, they likely won't shoot worth a hoot.

Oldgold · May 02, 2021, 11:10:21 AM

Change one thing at a time. Every gun I ever owned had a favorite bullet or powder.

Peyote Pete · May 02, 2021, 05:11:56 PM

Quote from: Ranch 13 on May 02, 2021, 09:35:19 AM
Back that 2400 down to 13 grains. If those bullets aren't 358-359 diameter, they likely won't shoot worth a hoot.

Yeah just did some of the JHP at 13.0

Peyote Pete · May 09, 2021, 06:39:38 PM

Well the Unique load didn't fare well with the 158 SWC at 6.0 gr, wondering if it needs a bigger charge of it. 5.5 gr of W-231 didn't do well either. The bullets measure .358 and are pretty close in weight, maybe a tenth or 2 gr variance. It seems like the 158's want to be driven harder, 13.0 gr #2400 under the JHP was nicer to shoot and grouped fairly well, going to try the KT-SWC at that charge and see how it goes.

AntiqueSledMan · May 10, 2021, 04:56:12 AM

Hello Pete,

I use the Lyman .358156 with 2400 in my carbines, shoots great.
Sounds like you might need a little bigger bullet.
I did have an issue with an old Marlin in 32-40 tumbling, I mixed a harder bullet and that fixed that.

AntiqueSledMan.

Peyote Pete · May 10, 2021, 05:34:10 AM

Hello ASM, thanks for your reply ! I've had good luck with 2400 in the past under lead and jacketed bullets also. I'm using a H & G #51 SWC from Stateline Bullets, run about 15 BHN. Still early days.