.38/.357 in a rifle

[COLT45SA]

There's been a lot of posts about different calibers in different rifles here, but very, very few about reloading .38 and .357 cartridges for rifles. I've seen quite a few Rossi lever action rifles sold in this area and very little reloading posts, recommendations, and experiences about reloading for rifles. I'm looking at a Winchester 1885 by Miroku chambered in .357 right now, and even the loading manuals provide little to no information~!!

 

[Rook 6]

I probably am missing the intent of the question but I’ve never heard of any load info other than what’s published for pistol and light cast loads for levergun silhouette. Are you seeking load data outside of one of those two categories? Not aware of anything else.

 

[Jason D Hostetter]

They take standard Ruger heavy pistol loads, like for a Super Blackhawk. They will handle 444, 45-70, 44mag, 357, 44-40, 45 LC, etc anything less than 45k psi. 125s or 158s and H110 is your friend.

 

[dellet]

Not sure what you’re looking for but, Hodgdon has data for bullets 110-180 grain and about 10 different powders, 18.5” barrel. Hornady about, the same for a 16”. Speer and Sierra both have rifle data. So there’s plenty of data out there.

Hodgdon is the only data with pressures listed and of course max loads are limited to SAAMI Cartridge Max. The Miroku action handle just about anything you can throw at it, but you will never find published loads exceeding SAAMI max.

Sadly if you’re looking for people actually shooting the cartridge in rifles to share data, you would probably have better luck with the Contender crowd. More pistol caliber rifles dedicated to accuracy vs the cowboy shooters. There’s plenty of crossover here, but it’s outside the focus.

 

[AA Ron]

A case full of H110/W296 and a 158gr XTP is all you need.
Have fun,
Aaron

 

[K22]

Many years ago, I had a 357 Magnum rifle, Marlin.

My memory isn't the best these days but if my memory is correct, the 158 grain Hornaday XTP's with 2400 powder shot the best accuracy wise. The twist rate is the key element in my experience to finding a bullet that works well accuracy wise.

PS: One of the truly regrets I have is trading away that rifle. Dump and dumper.

 

[Krogen]

I use a Rossi R92 rifle in lever action silhouette. I prefer the 24" octagon barrelled rifle over the 20" carbine for this. The carbine is too light for a steady hold. Targets are out to 100 m so accuracy is somewhat important. Why "somewhat?" Because the "stock nut" is loose (that's me...) and sighting (tang sight) isn't terribly precise.

Having said all that, I shoot IMR4227 in .357 cases with Badman's 157 gr round nose flat point. The load will hold around 2 1/2" at 100 m from a bench. Good enough.

The rifle doesn't feed semi-wadcutters. Their shoulders cause hang-ups. Stubby RNFPs don't feed well either. The "bulbous bow" bangs into the roof of the chamber when feeding. Not a problem with Badman's sleeker bullet. The gun also doesn't care much for .38 Special cases.

Tomorrow there's a lever action silhouette match at Machias if anybody is in the area and interested. Yeah, it says "Seattle" but that's a leftover from the 1960's when the club was closer to Seattle. The name stuck around, but the club didn't.

Seattle Rifle & Pistol Association - Cowboy Rifle and Hunter Pistol Silhouette Matches

www.seattlerifle.org

 

[COLT45SA]

Not sure what you’re looking for but, Hodgdon has data for bullets 110-180 grain and about 10 different powders, 18.5” barrel. Hornady about, the same for a 16”. Speer and Sierra both have rifle data. So there’s plenty of data out there.

Hodgdon is the only data with pressures listed and of course max loads are limited to SAAMI Cartridge Max. The Miroku action handle just about anything you can throw at it, but you will never find published loads exceeding SAAMI max.

Sadly if you’re looking for people actually shooting the cartridge in rifles to share data, you would probably have better luck with the Contender crowd. More pistol caliber rifles dedicated to accuracy vs the cowboy shooters. There’s plenty of crossover here, but it’s outside the focus.

Thanks for that~!!! When I see manuals at the Gun shows they're always wrapped in plastic so I can't open them and see the contents. Show this weekend so now I'll know which one to buy~!