Pistol reloading data for Rifles?

bowhunter57

bowhunter57

Well-known member
I have a Henry Big Boy, in .357 Mag. and I've been reloading some ammo using the pistol reloading data from several different manuals.

As I understand it, from others, a 400 f.p.s. to 500 f.p.s. can be added to the listed f.p.s. data for pistols. This is due to the extra barrel length, which makes sense.

Has anyone chronographed their pistol cartridge rifle(s) to confirm such a ballistic gain?

Your opinions and experiences are appreciated.
smile.gif

Thank you, Bowhunter57
 
I decided years ago that I do not like rifles chambered for pistol cartridges, or vice versa. Why do you not load using the rifle data for the 357 mag?
 
Originally Posted By: 2muchgunWhy do you not load using the rifle data for the 357 mag?

2muchgun,
Hodgdon offers the only .357 Mag. rifle reloading data that I'm aware of.

I'm checking it out right now, on some lever action forums, but to my knowledge 400 f.p.s. to 500 f.p.s. can be added to the pistol f.p.s. data for use in a rifle. Since the rifle barrels are 3 times longer (most manuals reference a 6" barrel) and my rifle has a 20" barrel, so this makes sense. However, I would much rather have chronographed data and/or written rifle reloading data vs. rumor and speculation.

Good hunting, Bowhunter57
 
I don't have the data yet, but plan to soon. A buddy just bought a Marlin 1894C in .357 for his son to deer hunt with. We're gonna try some loads with LilGun and 158g XTP FP's. We'll shoot some thru my chrono for ya and compare 18-1/2" carbine to 6" wheelgun. I've been doing some research on the subject at Marlinowners and Beartoothbullets forums and I'm starting to get the itch for one of these guns. I'm sure once I shoot it I'll be trying to locate one. What bullets and pwders are you using?

peace.
unloaded
 
I have done this.
I have run commercial ammo through the crony in revolvers with 38 special and 357 magnum from 2 through 8 3/8" barrels.
I have also run this same ammo from a Winny 94 and gained anywhere from 50-500ft/sec from the handgun to the carbine.

There is no hard fast rule but most commercial ammo will gain 2-400ft/sec when shot out of the carbine compared to a 4" revolver or the velocity shown on the box.

If you reload there is a ton of data from Speer, Hodgdon etc for carbine/rifle loads in the 357 and 44 mags.

Most of these loads are too hot for a revolver, so you need to keep your ammo seperated so you don't accidently use it in a handgun. These loads will gain you 2-500 additional ft/sec over factory ammo in a carbine/rifle.
125's in a carbine/rifle at almost 2300ft/sec which is almost 1000ft/sec faster than some lower pressure factory loads out of a revolver.
 
Originally Posted By: unloaded I'm sure once I shoot it I'll be trying to locate one. What bullets and pwders are you using?
unloaded,
If you're serious about scratching that itch for a lever action rifle, I suggest getting one ordered soon as possible, as they're difficult to locate...pending caliber choices. The .357 Mag. was the most difficult to find, during my search and I waited 2 1/2 months for mine.

Hopefully, Ohio will get on the band wagon and allow pistol cartridges in rifles, like several other states around us have already done.
crazy.gif


I just came back from the range after trying some more loads with 158gr. LSWC (hard cast) bullets and 2 different powders. One load was 12.0gr. of Accurate #9, which gave a good group. The other load was 15.0gr. of 2400 and the groups were all over the place.

I've had better luck with jacketed bullets, which I find to be strange.
I tried 2 loads with Unique using a 125gr. Hornady XTP bullet and those 3 shot groups could be completly covered with a nickel. I also tried 2 loads with 2400 using a 158gr. Remington JHP bullet and those 3 shot groups could be completely covered with a nickel too.
cool.gif


I'm going to try some different loads and powders with the 158gr. LSWC bullets and see how it goes, but for now the jacketed bullets are performing very well.

Good hunting, Bowhunter57
 
Originally Posted By: bowhunter57Originally Posted By: 2muchgunWhy do you not load using the rifle data for the 357 mag?

2muchgun,
Hodgdon offers the only .357 Mag. rifle reloading data that I'm aware of.

I'm checking it out right now, on some lever action forums, but to my knowledge 400 f.p.s. to 500 f.p.s. can be added to the pistol f.p.s. data for use in a rifle. Since the rifle barrels are 3 times longer (most manuals reference a 6" barrel) and my rifle has a 20" barrel, so this makes sense. However, I would much rather have chronographed data and/or written rifle reloading data vs. rumor and speculation.

Good hunting, Bowhunter57


Hornady, Speer, and Sierra all list 357 mag rifle loads......
 
Originally Posted By: bowhunter57
Hopefully, Ohio will get on the band wagon and allow pistol cartridges in rifles, like several other states around us have already done.
crazy.gif


Been Holding my breath on that one too. For what its worth, I get about 400 fps over published pistol data out of my ruger semi auto 44 carbine.
 
Originally Posted By: 2muchgunHornady, Speer, and Sierra all list 357 mag rifle loads......
2muchgun,
If you're refering to their manuals, it's possible in the Speer manual, as I don't have one, but will pick one up. My Sierra manual has to be 20+ years old and it only lists pistol data for .357 Mag. However, my other manual is called "Modern Reloading" by Richard Lee and all the data is in order of caliber, so there's no mention of rifle or pistol data differences.

Looks like I'm going to be purchasing a couple of new reloading manuals, this week.
cool.gif


Good hunting, Bowhunter57
 
I'm hoping with the release of the stainless version maybe the blued ones will become more available. Besides, I've kinda shot my gun budget lately on .22 rimfires a Ruger Mk3, CZ Scout and Remington 580 Smoothbore in the last month. Saw a Rossi SS in .357 at the gunshow today and know a gunshop that has a Henry in .357 but I think I'll go for the Marlin if my buddies shoots as good as everybody says they do.

Don't overlook Lil Gun for a powder, it gives the best velocities and lowest pressures. Everybody whose tried it raves about it. Unfortunately Hodgdon only lists data for pistol loads but those should get you in the ballpark. They say it meters well too.

peace.
unloaded
 


Write your reply...
Back
Top