[brewster7]

I've got a Rossi Model 92 in 357 mag. I'd like to try some proven rifle loads with Horn 140 gr Flex Tips or Speer 158 gr Jacketed Soft Points. Like to get 1400 - 1600 fps. I've got Horn, Sierra and Speer reloading manuals, but there must be some experience out there some where. Thanks in advance.

 

[Rocky Raab]

According to the brand new Hornady #8, you MUST trim cases to 1.250" to use the 140 Flex-Tip in a lever rifle (and they used the Rossi 92 as their test gun, too!) Seat to a COL of 1.590" Use 11.4 to 13.5 of Accurate #9 or 11.6 to 14.3 of Ramshot Enforcer. (Both get 1650 fps max)

I don't have a current Speer book at hand for their bullet.

 

[jmortimer]

No one knows more than Paco Kelly about your question - here is article he wrote on Lever Gun siteon the .357 mag in lever action. The M92 is built like a tank "357 MAGNUM AND THE LITERATURE" http://leverguns.com/articles/paco/357_magnum_and_the_literature.htm As you can see, the .357 mag is a lot of gun in a rifle.

 

[Rocky Raab]

All I'm going to say about Paco Kelly is that a lot of his loads scare the bejabbers out of me. I wouldn't shoot them by pulling on a string from behind a tree. A BIG tree.

 

[jmortimer]

I think he makes it clear he is on the edge but you could take his 94 loads and use them as your max loads in your M92

 

[Fred]

How would the strength of the action on a Marlin M94 compare to the RossI M92? Would the same loads be applicable?

 

[jmortimer]

No M92 stronger - read the article I linked as Paco explains it all. As Rocky mentioned, Paco pushes the limits but he has other loads listed which are not "red line" loads.

 

[Ko Improbable]

I've got a Rossi Model 92 in 357 mag. I'd like to try some proven rifle loads with Horn 140 gr Flex Tips or Speer 158 gr Jacketed Soft Points. Like to get 1400 - 1600 fps. I've got Horn, Sierra and Speer reloading manuals, but there must be some experience out there some where. Thanks in advance.

Hodgdon's online data, and Sierra's manual both list rifle data for .357 Magnum. Some of the 110gr bullets are listed as being able to get up over 2000fps.

Obviously, slow burning powders will get you more velocity. Lil Gun and H110 are both well known for being good slow burners.

 

[broom_jm]

The 357Mag can do good work in a rifle, but you'd be doing yourself a favor, as well as the proprietor who graciously pays the bill for this website, if you'll buy some BTB hard cast and load those up. There are plenty of guys here who can get you started on that path and then you'll have a bullet that will make the most of the velocity you get. For the distances at which this round is useful, you can't do much better than a cast bullet.

 

[jodum]

My basic 357 mag load of a 158 gr jacketed bullet ahead of 15.0 gr 2400 works well out of my revolvers and Marlin 94 carbine. I get approx 1200 fps out of a Ruger BH and 1600 fps out of the carbine. This is a max load so please use caution by decreasing the load and working up for your guns.

 

[TMan]

My thought on the .357M in a rifle, is it's a easy way to gain considerable performance with a .357, without resorting to excessive pressure. Max loads in any lever gun is a tough call. By the time the primers are flattened, and extraction is difficult, you are in a bad place, with little gain in speed or terminal performance.

Grab a lb of 2400, or W296/H110, and some Magnum primers, and use the mix of efficient powders and barrel length to advantage. 95% loads lose about 1% to 101% loads in reality, and are way easier on your hardware.

 

[COSteve]

My 357mag Rossi levergun loads consist of 158grn Zero JSP bullet, 16.5grns of Hodgdon H110 (16.7 is listed max), and a magnum primer set at an OAL of 1.590". It produces 1,798fps in my 20" Rossi carbine and 1,822fps in my 24" Rossi rifle.

What you're asking for is simple to achieve as many reloaders consider Hodgdon's max of 16.7grns with a 158grn JSP bullet to be overly conservative and consider 16.5grns as a starting point with final charges at or above 18.0 grains.

 

[TMan]

What you're asking for is simple to achieve as many reloaders consider Hodgdon's max of 16.7grns with a 158grn JSP bullet to be overly conservative and consider 16.5grns as a starting point with final charges at or above 18.0 grains.

To add to COSteve's comment, I have found that the number for W296/H110 in a .357/.44Mag, is start with 100% loading density. That will float around a bit depending on brass or bullet weight, but you want a filled case with this stuff. I've used both powders over many years, heavy and medium weight bullet weights, and the only bad experiences were with loads below 100%. Many loads are safe even above 110% load density, but you want to work up to those numbers.

My guess is that the variation you see with the 158's could like be related to the differences in seating depth, bullet shape, and brass thickness.

 

[Griz]

I second the post about Marshall's cast bullets. I load a 185g bullet to 1725 fps using lilgun. This is 30-30 ballistics out to around 100 yards. I've shot this from a smith snub for a function test, but the main platform is a win94 trapper.

OTOH, that trapper loves white box 125g loads and drops 100 meter rams with 158s. Very versatile rifle.

Grizz

 

[brewster7]

Okay, I just ordered two boxes of Beartooth 165g FNBB. Marshall and broom_jm helped me figure out what I needed to hunt whitetails and hogs with the Rossi Model 92 here in Texas.

Next I'll probably figure out how to improve the sights cause the eyes sure ain't getting any better.

Appreciate your help guys.

 

[TMan]

Next I'll probably figure out how to improve the sights cause the eyes sure ain't getting any better.

Take a look at the Williams sights.

The ones on my daughters new 10/22 make a world of difference if you stay with open sights. I use them on my 870's up front and they are a major asset for eyes over 50.