Suggested loads for 38 special or .357 in Wichester rifle

[rm.unsworth]

I'm a shooter in the UK who is about to take part in a lever action rifle competition. At the moment only use jacketed bullets but in this instance we are only allowed to use lead heads.
Any suggestions of a good reliable load would be appreciated. Maximum range in this instance would be 100 yds.
Thanks in advance
Derek

[AJMD429]

I don't have any load data handy (there are reloading forums like reloadersnest and ammoguide) but it might help folks to suggest useful loads if you post what kinds of powder(s) you either have or can easily get...

[JerryB]

I have a Rossi .357 carbine that is smooth with both rounds, just watch what you try to feed it. Mine will take the semi-wadcutters in both rounds, some won't. Any of the pistol loads will due for what you want I think. A lead round bullet like what SASS shooters use would due fine also. There are a bunch of loaders here that can give you more help.
By the way welcome to a great levergun forum, we have a few shooters from England, Nath and GameKeeper the most active posters.

[gundownunder]

If you can get Unique over there try about 6 gr behind either a 125 gr or a 158 gr lead bullet, I use 6.2 behind both.
ADI AP70N I use 7.5 gr behind the 125 gr and I've just loaded some at 5.5 behind a 158 but haven't tried them yet.
I use a teflon coated bullet so YMMV.
Other than those two check a reloading manual and you will find half a dozen other suitable powders, just remember to keep the speed down, most people will tell you that 1600 FPS is max with lead but some start leading much lower than that.

[Griff]

Derek,

1st of all; Welcome to the Forum.

2nd, what distance is your competition to be at?

Is it paper punching, steel dinging, or knockdowns?

What Winchester lever action are you using? An mdl 94, 1892, '73, or '66?

[retmech]

I don't know what powders you have available to you over there but here is what works well in my Wincester 94 .357. I use either a roundnose 158 gr lead or round nosed flat point 158 gr lead bullets. I load to 1150 fps which is just under the speed of sound, same as standard velocity .22's and the trajectory is the same. Accuracy runs 2-3 moa @ 100 yds. I use 5.0 grs of Unique, 4.2 grs of Bullseye or 4.9 grs of win 231. All are very accurate with the edge going to Unique. If these powders are not available to you something in the same burn range should work similarly. Hope this helps.