.35 Rem and handgun bullets

[Redman2006]

I have inherited a large quality of .357/38 handgun bullets. They are jacketed soft point of 125 gr and cast swc of 158 gr. I have read about using these for plinking rounds or varmint getters, but I can't find any data for powders and starting loads.

I have also inherited a large quantity of powder as well, so I would like to use what I have if I can. Some I am know will not work, but others might, so I will list it all.
Bluedot
n160
Imr 4831, 4064, 4350
Reloader19
H4895
H110
Unique
Thanks!

[hightime]

Ya better get a book............I don't think anyone here would give you any wrong info, but you better be able to see it in print too. I have a Lyman and a couple others. $30 can make you safe. Also there are some loading info on line from many sources. But again, it's nice to double check with a trusted book.

Owen

[Redman2006]

Ya better get a book............I don't think anyone here would give you any wrong info, but you better be able to see it in print too. I have a Lyman and a couple others. $30 can make you safe. Also there are some loading info on line from many sources. But again, it's nice to double check with a trusted book.

Owen

I have a pile of books here, but none list light bullets. I know I have read about it in articles here, but there were not specific loads listed. I think Mr. Kelley wrote one of them himself.

[Tycer]

You can use the data from any bullet weight heavier than the ones you have as a starting point without worry of overpressure. Running the bullet too fast will cause them to fail so the data for the heavier bullets should keep them in reasonable velocity.

Read this: http://www.leverguns.com/articles/paco/35remington.htm

[earlmck]

Well there is always the old standby of "10 grains Unique" and any light bullet for a nice plinker. That would make a nice place to start, (and probably stop with the cast bullet, which will likely begin to "spray" a bit at above 1500 fps if it is a plain-base bullet)
The jacketed 125 grain will no doubt do well at higher velocities..

That said, I believe I would take this acquisition of components as a "sign from above" that you should start looking for a deal on a nice Rossi or Marlin in .357/38 which would drive those bullets as fast as you'd ever want to take 'em with a lot less powder. More efficient that way, don't you know?

[O.S.O.K.]

I would go with 8 grains of Unique and see how that does with your 158 grain boolits. The 35 Rem is a smaller case.

You should get something like 1500-1600 fps with that load - a very good plinking load.

The 125 grain bullets would be fine with 10 grains of Unique IMHO.

It's always advisable to use a chronograph when testing loads. Velocity=pressure...

I would steer you to the Lyman reloading manual - which has cast boolit loads.

[Redman2006]

You can use the data from any bullet weight heavier than the ones you have as a starting point without worry of overpressure. Running the bullet too fast will cause them to fail so the data for the heavier bullets should keep them in reasonable velocity.

Read this: http://www.leverguns.com/articles/paco/35remington.htm

I thought about that but was afraid it would cause underpressure issues and poor ignition like I had happen with an H110 45 colt load.

[Redman2006]

Well there is always the old standby of "10 grains Unique" and any light bullet for a nice plinker. That would make a nice place to start, (and probably stop with the cast bullet, which will likely begin to "spray" a bit at above 1500 fps if it is a plain-base bullet)
The jacketed 125 grain will no doubt do well at higher velocities..

That said, I believe I would take this acquisition of components as a "sign from above" that you should start looking for a deal on a nice Rossi or Marlin in .357/38 which would drive those bullets as fast as you'd ever want to take 'em with a lot less powder. More efficient that way, don't you know?

I agree. I would like to have one with a matched blackhawk
Thanks, I really did not think Unique would be on the usable list.

[Redman2006]

I would go with 8 grains of Unique and see how that does with your 158 grain boolits. The 35 Rem is a smaller case.

You should get something like 1500-1600 fps with that load - a very good plinking load.

The 125 grain bullets would be fine with 10 grains of Unique IMHO.

It's always advisable to use a chronograph when testing loads. Velocity=pressure...

I would steer you to the Lyman reloading manual - which has cast boolit loads.

Thanks. I will check the layman again

[Sixgun]

The above boys could not have said things any better and I have nothing to add, so why did I write this?

Try to catch up to Ysable Kid. -------------Sixgun

On a serious note, whenever you are loading cartridges with bullets and powder that are out of the norm, its a must to be very educated in reloading or you could be eating steel.

You need to be educated in pressures, rifling twists, sights, seating depths, powder burn rates, primers, sizing of the case, chamber dimensions, leade, on an on.

The only way to can do this is to read the parts of the various reloading manuals that most people don't read. These include the parts on pressure and powder burn rates. And then reread it 50 times until it all sinks in. Then......work your way up starting with a common caliber (preferably a straight wall case) in a strong action with the bare bones powder weight. Shoot and chronograph....take notes...........then read some more. ---------------------Sixgun

[AJMD429]

If you don't have a chronograph, get one - it will help with some of these issues.

In addition to loading manuals (or instead of*, in my opinion) join LoadData.com, which is a reloading-data site that has ONLY manufacturer's data, but has it 'all' - from many makers of powder & bullets. AmmoGuide.com is also useful to join, and has more 'user' loads added, and probably a few less of the 'manufacturers' data, but the site layout is easier to use and it has lots of "Which cartridges can use these powders" type tools. You can join BOTH sites for the cost of a box of factory loaded .35 Remington.

I agree with the advice on getting a .357 carbine, though...!

* the 'Manuals' do have lots of good information, but many times duplicative. I think having the Lyman one, the Lee one, and one from your favorite bullet-maker, should suffice. Having more than that, when the LoadData site has so many more of them all in one place, seems silly to me.

[earlmck]

= "O.S.O.K" I would go with 8 grains of Unique and see how that does with your 158 grain boolits. The 35 Rem is a smaller case.

You should get something like 1500-1600 fps with that load - a very good plinking load.

Good advice, O.S.O.K., far as starting below and working up. But my ancient Lyman "Handbook of Cast Bullets" shows a load of 10 grains of Unique in the 35 Rem giving 1500 fps with a 155 grain plain-base cast bullet. And my plinker load with that type bullet is 10 grains of Green Dot (just because I have a keg of that instead of Unique...) for about that same 1500 fps. That load in my old lever isn't anything to write home about at 100 yards but does rattle the tin cans real fine at 50 yards.

I've never loaded 125 grain jacketed in the 35 Rem. I'll bet you could make a zippy load with them with the 4064 or 4895 but have no idea what accuracy you'd find. Couldn't get enough powder in the case to give pressure problems, though.

[Old Savage]

Speer lists 3031 from 33.0 gr for 1896 fps to 37.0 gr for 2141 fps. with the Marlin and a 158 jacketed. You could start there and would likely get similar velocities. RE7 goes all the way to 2357 with 37.0 gr with the 158.

[Redman2006]

Thanks to all! I will start with unique. I have a 1980s lyman that has loads close, but they suggest gas checks which makes me concerned about leading if too fast.

A chronograph is on my list, but it would be a while. The carbine in. 357 sounds like a great idea.

Thanks again, and if anyone has anything else to add I will be listening

[damienph]

Hornady Handbook Volume II, Second Printing December 1975:

35 Remington, 125 Grain JHP, Federal Case, Federal 210 primer, H110 Powder;
Starting load 25.2gr @ 2000fps, Maximum load 29.3gr @ 2400fps.
They also have load data for 630, and 2400.


They list a load for 158 grain JSP but no powders that you listed; 630, 2400, 4227, and 3031

Please check actual book for the load that I listed above just in case I typed it wrong.

[Cliff]

Most all of it will work, but before you do anything invest in some reloading manuals. Lyman's cast Bullet Manual and several others. Research what they have written. Don't take someone's word that the load they pass on to you is good to go. Always good to have a selection of loading manuals. Also contact the powder makers for more information, they are usually a reliable source. Just my thoughts. Good Luck. The .35 Remington round is very flexible, from light loads to the top end loads. I have both Marlin lever actions and a Remington M-600 Bolt Action. Good guns, low recoil loads are a lot of fun, yet deliver a good punch on the target.

[Redman2006]

I tried a few out and discovered that the SWC in 158 has a long shoulder that engages the lands and makes chambering difficult when the bullet is seated at the crimp groove.

Any reason I could not seat them a tick deeper and use a factory crimp die by Lee?

The other option is to hold on to the *&#^$^ Hornaday Leverevoltion brass which is shortened by about as much as the shoulder is too long, and use it exclusively for plinking loads.

[Tycer]

Any reason I could not seat them a tick deeper and use a factory crimp die by Lee?

That'll work.

[Warhawk]

Howdy Jeff, Good to see you on here.

Years ago I had a Remington 760 in 35 Rem, but I never loaded any handgun bullets for it. That's been the sum total of my experience with the 35 Rem.

[Redman2006]

Hey Jim, thanks for suggesting this site some time ago.

I was playing with this when I was at the folks. Somehow sitting in the garage decapping and sizing is pretty relaxing.

I have everything at home now, so I can mess with it more once I get it all set up.