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357 magnum load data question

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mikefamig:
Forgive me if this is a beginner question but I am a beginner reloader.

I just got my star press set up for 357 magnum ammo that I'll be using in a revolver and now I'm looking at load data and  I have two powders on hand, Bullseye and Trailboss

I found two sources of data for the bullseye powder - Lee modern reloading and the Alliant web site and only the Hogden web site for the trail boss.

What bothers me is that the Lee manual says to use from 5.8 to 6.5 grains of BE while the Alliant web site says to use only  4.8grains. Of course the velocity is greater with the larger loads but why such a wide range? Why does Lee show a minimum of 5.8 while Lee shows a minimum of 4.8? 

Bottom line is that I have a 6.0 BE charge bar for my star press that I am hoping to use. According to Lee I should be fine but the smaller 4.8 recommendation from Hogden bothers me.

So a few questions

1 Is 6.0 grains of Bullseye safe? Do i believe Lee or play it safe and go with Hogden's smaller load?
2 Has anyone used Trail Boss in a 357 magnum and is it good bad or ugly?

Being that I can't find supplies to buy anywhere Iam limited to what I have on hand.

Any help?

Mike.

fc60:
Greetings,

I did not see what bullet is being used.

Please reply with the bullet, weight, and diameter.

If store bought, a link to where you buy them.

If home cast, what mould and alloy?

Cheers,

Dave

mikefamig:
Dave

Sorry for the oversight. I'm using 158gr LSWC that I bought from stateline bullets

https://statelinebullets.com/shop/cast-pistol-bullets/38-357-cast-pistol-bullets/38-158-gr-swc/

Mike.

mikefamig:
Another question

I have a bunch of old bullets that were sized and lubed about 40 to 50 years ago. The lube is brown and I'm hesitant to use them because the lube looks a little dry. Do you guys think that it would matter? I've been loading the stateline bullets that I bought up to this point but I'm tempted to use the old ones.

Mike.

fc60:
Greetings,

Personally, I would go with the Alliant suggestion. It uses the 158 grain Speer swaged bullet; but, the weight, diameter and seating depth are very close to the StateLine bullets you have.

http://www.alliantpowder.com/reloaders/RecipePrint.aspx?gtypeid=1&weight=158&shellid=28&bulletid=30&bdid=82

Regarding the old bullets, depends on how many you have and what amount of work you wish to apply.

One, put them in a old can, fill with water and boil. The grease will float to the top. Let it all cool down overnight. Then remove the grease film, drain the water and dry the bullets.

If you have a bullet greaser, just run them through and reapply the grease.

No luber? No worries, go buy a bottle of Lee Liquid Alox. Put a handful of bullets into a ZipLoc bag, squirt in a very small amount of Alox, shut the bag and give the contents a nice massage.

Once all coated, empty the bag onto an old cookie sheet lined with wax paper. Dry the bullets overnight, load, and shoot.

Use a minimum powder charge to minimize Lead fouling.

Another option is to not boil the grease away. Just lube them as above with the Lee Liquid Alox. This option assumes the bullets are not to crusty from age.

Cheers,

Dave

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