Uberti .357 Mag Durability

Peyote Pete · February 20, 2021, 07:29:44 AM

Hello, I just bought 5.5" El Patron .357 for a range queen and I'm aware that the design of the gun places some limitations on ammo selection. I am a veteran reloader and have done extensive .357 ammo. I have Unique, W-231, HS-6 (which has encouraging pressure specs) along with #2400. What pressure levels will be non-abusive to this gun ? I intend to stay with lead bullets since jacketed pressures are substantially higher than lead (so are the prices !). Where should I draw the line ?

Froogal · February 20, 2021, 07:58:57 AM

5.5 grains of Unique under a 158 grain bullet works quite well in my wife's Cimarron.

Silver Creek Slim · February 20, 2021, 08:49:44 AM

Stick with .38 Special level loads.

Slim

45 Dragoon · February 20, 2021, 11:08:08 AM

Pete,
It's a 357 mag !!! Shoot whatever tier 1 ammo you want in it !! These are proofed to higher pressures than American made stuff. It's not a "cowboy only loads" kinda gun!! She's a range Queen . . . show her off a little !!!!

Mike

Professor Marvel · February 21, 2021, 01:09:16 AM

I agree with Mike ( Dragoon)

The El Patron .357 is a modern pistol manufactured and proofed to international .357 magnum SAMI specs.

have fun!

Coffinmaker · February 21, 2021, 09:52:57 AM

Pile On Peyote Pete

Yepper!! I am in full agreement with the Dragoon and The Perfesser!! It's a 357 Magnum, Proofed to Euro Specs with cylinder walls a foot thick (sorta). The frame is also every bit as tough as any 357 out there, well, excepting Freedom Arms. You can shoot any 357 ammunition in it. Hand loaded to SAAMI specs and shoot it all day long.

ENJOY

Peyote Pete · February 21, 2021, 12:01:11 PM

Well you folks have certainly been enthusiastic and informative !! While I likely won't be shooting too many frisky loads it's nice to know the gun take some magnum loads w/o incurring damage. I have some 125 JHP and 125 and 158 lead bullets (Been stockpiling #2400 powder) so I can't wait to pickup the gun Tuesday and get some stuff built !

Peyote Pete · March 07, 2021, 04:35:33 PM

Took a bit longer to get the gun than expected. Loaded some 125 and 158 gr lead over some W-231. Both shot well at 15 yards but seems like the 125's are a bit more accurate, which is good since I bought 250 of them ! Fun shooter.