Need loads for Rossi M92 357 Mag.

[Daveb]

Just some added info for MikeG70. I bought a Rossi M92 in 357 last year and have been shooting cast lead RNFP's with 6.5 grains of Unique in the 158 grainer and 7.3 grains under the 125 grain bullet. I cast my own bullets and use Lee molds now. My lube is a 1:4 ratio of beeswax and ATF with no leading whatsoever. I have been shooting cowboy levergun silhouettes now for about 5 years and have found the M92 in 357 to be the most accurate rifle I own. Good luck Mike!

[MikeG70]

Dave, Thanks for the tip. Yes, I do have some Unique but have you done any thing with Trail Boss? There seems to be more TB around where I live than Unique. Mike

[Daveb]

Hey Mike! Yes, I've been using Trail Boss in my 45-70, 44 magnum, 45 Colt, and 357 leverguns for about 2 years. It really takes the bite out recoil and in very consistent in velocity. I called Hogdon and asked about max loads with TB. The ballistics man said one easy way to determine how much TB you can use is to take an empty case, place the bullet you intend to shoot and place it next to the case. Mark the outside of the case at the base of the bullet. Then carefully fill the case up to that mark. The grain weight of the powder it took to reach that mark is the maximum load for that cartridge. In my 45-70 I use 17.5 grains under a 320 GC bullet with standard primers and Starline brass at about 1330 fps (chronographed). In the 357 I believe about 5.5 to 6.0 grains is about as much as you can get without compressing. I was told NEVER to compress TB- kind of like messing with mother nature! Hope this helps. Be careful out there!

[Daveb]

Hey Mike- had another thought about the M92 load. Don't know if you have access to Berry's Bullets (Berry's Mfg.com) but I bought some 158 grain plated bullets for the 357 on a whim. I loaded them up with 17.0 grains of H-110. I know that's a very hot load but I found data on it. I also chronographed it out of the M92 at 1840 fps and shot an honest (2 witnesses) 5/8" grp at 50 yards with a Marble tang and Williams bead front sight system. I was looking for a load that would reliably knock down those full-size ram silhouettes at 200 meters. I was told my load wouldn't have enough umph to do it. I sat down at the bench at Raton last week in practice and hit 4 out of 5 rams. I hit them high, low in the belly, front shoulder and on the rump. All 4 hits knocked the rams off the stand. I don't use much of a crimp and use the Lee Factory Crimp Die. I can recommend this load- at least out of my M92. Take care out there.

[Daveb]

I guess in the interest of safety I need to "modify" my earlier note re using Berry's bullets. I called Berry's bullets to ask if they would consider making a heavier plated bullet than their 158 grainers. I explained my load using 17.0 grains of H-110 with their plated 158 grain plated bullet and was promptly admonished by a very nice lady who said they don't recommend pushing their plated bullets faster than 1250 fps. Maybe I shouldn't expect their bullet to go 1840 fps with great accuracy knocking those 200 meter rams off the stand- but it did. Maybe I shouldn't expect that same load to shoot a 5/8" 5 shot group at 50 yards- but it did. 'nough said! I'll slow it down now so it can be used in a safe manner and knock those silhouette targets down- but it won't!

[MikeG70]

Hey Dave, Thanks for all the information about loads for the Rossi M92. After consideration and advice from local shooters, I went with the Marlin Cowboy 1894 and I am sure this information you gave me will also apply to the Marlin.

Good shooting, Mike