going to try loading some LSWC for my 357
I've loaded JHP, and JSP
the LSWC is slightly longer than the JHP and JSP

does that mean that the OAL for the finished cartridge will be longer than the JHP and JSP?

I forget the exact measurements, but just say its .02 inches longer than the JHP, will the finished LSWC cartridge be .02 inches longer than the JHP?

going to try loading some LSWC for my 357
I've loaded JHP, and JSP
the LSWC is slightly longer than the JHP and JSP

does that mean that the OAL for the finished cartridge will be longer than the JHP and JSP?

I forget the exact measurements, but just say its .02 inches longer than the JHP, will the finished LSWC cartridge be .02 inches longer than the JHP?

...
The bullet should have a cannelure grove. That will ultimately determine the OAL, whatever it is.
The case mouth should be roll crimped into that groove to prevent the bullet from jumping out and increase bullet pull.
This is especially important if you are creating magnum level ammunition with slow burning powder.

going to try loading some LSWC for my 357
I've loaded JHP, and JSP
the LSWC is slightly longer than the JHP and JSP

does that mean that the OAL for the finished cartridge will be longer than the JHP and JSP?

I forget the exact measurements, but just say its .02 inches longer than the JHP, will the finished LSWC cartridge be .02 inches longer than the JHP?

Before I type here my comments I just want to say that everything OF said is 

I find that the OAL of cartridges that headspace on the rim, can vary quite a bit. Heavier bullets will be longer than than lighter bullets and sometimes the extra length is above the cannelure and sometimes it is below the cannelure. Depends on the design of the bullet itself. But a properly designed bullet should be very close to the 1.590 specified maximum when crimped at the cannelure.

The SAAMI specifications for the 357 Magnum lists the OAL as 1.590 maximum. I have had bullets that when crimped at the cannelure are slightly longer than this and have still fit in the chambers of my revolver without issue. Usually, the issue with 357 cartridges that are longer than the specified maximum is they protrude from the end of the cylinder. Some of the smaller concealable revolvers cannot accept longer cartridges due to the added length.

So if your cartridge OAL is slightly longer than the specified maximum it might still work fine in some or most revolvers.

thanks for the responses
the additional length is forward from the cannelure groove,
so I'll crimp it on that, and it'll be a little longer
we'll see how it fits into my cylinder. 
I think it should be ok
shooting out of a GP100, sp101, and security six.  but we'll see how it goes.

You going for magnum loads or plinking light loads?  For plinking I've been using a .357 mag case full of trailboss  under a 158 LSWC. shoots nice.

Fyi,

The best lswc bullets I've tried (regardless of caliber) are the keith style with flat base.
See pic below. in 357 and 44 mag

I have used both LSW and LFPRN in various weights. And I have had good luck with most. But I have to say if you are willing to spend a little extra $ up front or go in half with someone else, I would suggest buying a case of Montana Gold 125gr or 158gr JHP. Last case I bought was cheaper than buying lead boolits. Worked out to just under $0.10 per round for the 125gr. I think it was $360 for 3,750 bullets including shipping. My favorite and best accuracy load is 5.0gr of Titegroup over either the 125gr or the 158gr Montana Gold JHP. If I remember the 125gr goes around 1,000 fps. Don't remember the velocity of the 158gr. Both are accurate as hell.  If you want to try some 125gr JHP I will be happy to give you some to try. LMK

thanks, OF, and Inspector
the LSWC that I got has the tapered base, but we'll see how it goes

I got some titegroup, and a few cans of accurate #9 that i'll be using
hopefully i'll get started on it this weekend if time permits.

thanks, OF, and Inspector
the LSWC that I got has the tapered base, but we'll see how it goes

I got some titegroup, and a few cans of accurate #9 that i'll be using
hopefully i'll get started on it this weekend if time permits.

BTW, I have never had Titegroup fail to ignite considering how little I use and how much space is leftover in the case.  For me it is one of the best pistol powders I have ever used. Also, it is quite consistent. An old trick us black powder guys use is a filler to fill the space up in the cartridge. And sometimes a wad. When I reload for such a large cartridge with such a small amount of powder with a lead boolit I always load an additional 10 or so rounds with filler (Dacron or backer rod) and 10 with a wad (Usually vegetable matter wads from walt's wads). I try them out to see if my groups tighten up or not. Always worth a try. Usually with Titegroup you don't need to. However, you never know unless you try. Especially if the loads are a little hotter. Just a suggestion. 

I haven't used the titegroup yet, but the accurate #9 I have to use a lot of it.

I have used both LSW and LFPRN in various weights. And I have had good luck with most. But I have to say if you are willing to spend a little extra $ up front or go in half with someone else, I would suggest buying a case of Montana Gold 125gr or 158gr JHP. Last case I bought was cheaper than buying lead boolits. Worked out to just under $0.10 per round for the 125gr. I think it was $360 for 3,750 bullets including shipping. My favorite and best accuracy load is 5.0gr of Titegroup over either the 125gr or the 158gr Montana Gold JHP. If I remember the 125gr goes around 1,000 fps. Don't remember the velocity of the 158gr. Both are accurate as hell.  If you want to try some 125gr JHP I will be happy to give you some to try. LMK

...
Buying a mg jhp for light target loads is like buying a Boss 302 to drive 1 mile to church on sunday mornings.
I can't do it. Gotta put the pedal to the metal.

...
Buying a mg jhp for light target loads is like buying a Boss 302 to drive 1 mile to church on sunday mornings.
I can't do it. Gotta put the pedal to the metal.

Just replace Titegroup with H110 and it lights the tires of that Boss 302 and shoots flames out the exhaust! 

I load both but cannot take much more than 50 rounds of those. 

Just replace Titegroup with H110 and it lights the tires of that Boss 302 and shoots flames out the exhaust! 

I load both but cannot take much more than 50 rounds of those. 

...
Ya know that's how I busted my sw m19.
It was fun while it lasted.

finished some test rounds
using titegroup
10 rounds with 4.5 grains, 10 rounds with 5 grains
bullets were longer so OAL was a little longer - 1.6145 inches, and still fits in my cylinder
just need to test it out!   

You going for magnum loads or plinking light loads?  For plinking I've been using a .357 mag case full of trailboss  under a 158 LSWC. shoots nice.

going for more of a plinking load, but not too light.

going for more of a plinking load, but not too light.

That trailboss load isn't too light, but it fills the case all the way up.  I'd say its a light, on the low end of, .38spl in recoil.  Seems like TB doesn't like .38 spl cases as much as the .357 mag case, can't fit enough powder in the smaller case.  I think the sweet spot is a full .357.  I'll have to look up the exact grains, if you were interested.

That trailboss load isn't too light, but it fills the case all the way up.  I'd say its a light, on the low end of, .38spl in recoil.  Seems like TB doesn't like .38 spl cases as much as the .357 mag case, can't fit enough powder in the smaller case.  I think the sweet spot is a full .357.  I'll have to look up the exact grains, if you were interested.

Maybe later. I have about 3.5 pounds of powder to use up first. 

finished some test rounds
using titegroup
10 rounds with 4.5 grains, 10 rounds with 5 grains
bullets were longer so OAL was a little longer - 1.6145 inches, and still fits in my cylinder
just need to test it out!   

That is what I like about the SWC profile for revolver boolits. As long as the cylinder is long enough the cartridge will fit.

I hope you get good accuracy out this load. It is snappy enough to know you are not shooting bunny fart loads yet not so snappy that it hurts to shoot it. You can shoot this load all day. Probably about the same speed as a 38 +P.

You going for magnum loads or plinking light loads?  For plinking I've been using a .357 mag case full of trailboss  under a 158 LSWC. shoots nice.

I am going to load up your Trailboss load next weekend. I have never tried TB in the 357 case before. I tried it once a long time ago in some 38 Special cases I had lying around. I don't remember how it did as I had a different gun at that time and I was not very good at keeping records back then.

I'm interested in seeing how consistent it is.

Maybe later. I have about 3.5 pounds of powder to use up first. 

Cool!

I am going to load up your Trailboss load next weekend. I have never tried TB in the 357 case before. I tried it once a long time ago in some 38 Special cases I had lying around. I don't remember how it did as I had a different gun at that time and I was not very good at keeping records back then.

I'm interested in seeing how consistent it is.

I believe it's 4.8 grains of TB under 158 LSWC at 1.600" OAL crimped.  That's over max so be careful.  I confirmed that it is not compressing the charge, so it seems to work fine.  It has been said that Trail boss does not like to be compressed, so watch that, and I think you'll be OK.