Reloads for my BBSC .357 magnum

[deano5150]

A few months ago I started reloading .357 magnum for my BBSC. I wanted to keep things as simple and inexpensive as I could. Although NOT inexpensive, I settled on using Hornady’s 158gr XTP bullet. I found a local supplier that stocks Alliant 2400 powder and lucked into finding 1500 small magnum pistol primers at Academy Sports. I had about 1600 pieces of once fired brass (from my own rifle). I decided to purchase the Lee Precision hand press and 4 die set as well as a Franklin Armory powder scale. After experimenting with the different power levels I settled on 13.3gr of 2400 as the most accurate from my rifle.

Over the last couple of days I have gone to the range and shot some groups at 25 yards and 50 yards. I prop my rifle on my range bag as I don’t have a proper rifle rest. I’ve got a Skinner receiver mounted peep sight and a patridge front sight (with orange paint) on my Henry.
Here are my best 25 yard groups:

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These are 11/16” groups which I am VERY pleased with! I stretched it out to 50 yards and ended up with this:

E35231EE-12B1-43AD-93B7-84B926DE08FE.jpeg (988 KiB) Viewed 1768 times

At 50 yards, the front sight nearly covers the entire plate. It’s very difficult to find a consistent point of aim (especially with my vision getting poorer) but I am quite satisfied with the results. I feel like I’ve found an accurate load. Hope you guys enjoy the report.

[BigAl52]

You cannot beat 2400 in 357. I push mine to 15 with the same bullet. It will put some nice groups up there and is a great hunting load. Congrats nice shooting

[Rifletom]

Agree with Al, 2400 is a very good .357 powder. Your groups look fine. Will you be using the XTP's only, or venturing into cast type bullets?
Regardless, enjoy that Henry.

[fortyshooter]

Great shooting with the .357 Henry! Yep 2400 is a good powder for .357 Mag. Had my Henry 357 out today also.

[deano5150]

You cannot beat 2400 in 357. I push mine to 15 with the same bullet. It will put some nice groups up there and is a great hunting load. Congrats nice shooting

Thanks!

[deano5150]

Agree with Al, 2400 is a very good .357 powder. Your groups look fine. Will you be using the XTP's only, or venturing into cast type bullets?
Regardless, enjoy that Henry.

Not sure if I will get into cast bullets. I’ve got 400 XTP’s now with another 400 on the way. I was able to find them for .28/ea and free shipping from Academy Sports. I wanted to stick with 158gr jacketed bullets similar to the factory loads I have socked away (American Eagle 158gr JSP and PPU 158gr SJHP). My theory being that I wouldn’t have to constantly adjust my peep sight when changing from one to another.

[deano5150]

Great shooting with the .357 Henry! Yep 2400 is a good powder for .357 Mag. Had my Henry 357 out today also.

Thanks!

[Rifletom]

Agree with Al, 2400 is a very good .357 powder. Your groups look fine. Will you be using the XTP's only, or venturing into cast type bullets?
Regardless, enjoy that Henry.

Not sure if I will get into cast bullets. I’ve got 400 XTP’s now with another 400 on the way. I was able to find them for .28/ea and free shipping from Academy Sports. I wanted to stick with 158gr jacketed bullets similar to the factory loads I have socked away (American Eagle 158gr JSP and PPU 158gr SJHP). My theory being that I wouldn’t have to constantly adjust my peep sight when changing from one to another.

Those American Eagle rounds are some good factory ammo. When I bought my Henry BBC[brass], I got a few boxes of the AE to try. Very happy with it and still have a few boxes in the cabinet. Now, I strictly handload.

[DsGrouse]

Agree with Al, 2400 is a very good .357 powder. Your groups look fine. Will you be using the XTP's only, or venturing into cast type bullets?
Regardless, enjoy that Henry.

Not sure if I will get into cast bullets. I’ve got 400 XTP’s now with another 400 on the way. I was able to find them for .28/ea and free shipping from Academy Sports. I wanted to stick with 158gr jacketed bullets similar to the factory loads I have socked away (American Eagle 158gr JSP and PPU 158gr SJHP). My theory being that I wouldn’t have to constantly adjust my peep sight when changing from one to another.

I have had excellent groupings with Sierra .357 125grn JHP
https://www.midwayusa.com/product/1010793483?pid=658448
This is about 30 rounds at 50yds



and Sierra's 158 JHP
https://www.midwayusa.com/product/1010792179?pid=547375

[Hatchdog]

Let’s see, you found 2400 and primers?

Time to buy a Powerball ticket.

Nice shooting on all the targets shown above. Those Henry 357’s just shoot!

[deano5150]

Let’s see, you found 2400 and primers?

Time to buy a Powerball ticket.

Nice shooting on all the targets shown above. Those Henry 357’s just shoot!

You aren’t kidding! I still have a good local source for 2400 (just bought another pound) but that store couldn’t get any primers. I just happened to be in Academy Sports one day and saw a large pile of Federal Gold Medal small magnum pistol primers in the display case. There were no other types of primers but those. I asked the salesman how much and he said $9.99/bx. I said how many can I buy? He said as many as I want. I bought 15 boxes. I really think it was divine providence!

[BigAl52]

Sierra Hornady and Speer make excellent bullets. Ive shot some of all of those and including Nosler. But my pocket book aint as good as it once was and those bullets are just to pricey for me to go out and plink with in 357. So I choose to either buy Roze Dist. Zero bullets or extreme plated bullets. YMMV

[GaCop]

Old eyes are a problem. Farthest I can shoot well with 180 grain cast FN (2.7" groups) is 70 yards with Skinners.

[Vaquero]

Agree with Al, 2400 is a very good .357 powder. Your groups look fine. Will you be using the XTP's only, or venturing into cast type bullets?
Regardless, enjoy that Henry.

Not sure if I will get into cast bullets. I’ve got 400 XTP’s now with another 400 on the way. I was able to find them for .28/ea and free shipping from Academy Sports. I wanted to stick with 158gr jacketed bullets similar to the factory loads I have socked away (American Eagle 158gr JSP and PPU 158gr SJHP). My theory being that I wouldn’t have to constantly adjust my peep sight when changing from one to another.

I grabbed two boxes of those after seeing this post, thanks for the heads up.
But they won't be for plinking, I have cast boolits for that.

RP