Favorite .357 Magnum Loads

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[ARCHIVED THREAD] - Favorite .357 Magnum Loads

Posted: 9/13/2015 7:24:20 PM EST

I just picked up a .357 Mag revolver, S&W 681 with a 4" barrel.

I was hoping you guys could share some of your favorite loadings for this cartridge.

Thanks in advance

Thurman

Posted: 9/13/2015 10:30:42 PM EST

[#1]

I use Winchester's data for full house loads with 296. For plinking cast bullets I just used my 5.0 gr setting for my 45 ACP with 231. You can go lower with 231 but I said why bother?
You need to be careful using .38 special cases and use 38 special data. Max charges are lower.

Posted: 9/13/2015 11:05:44 PM EST

[#2]

Win-296 / H-110 for full house jacketed magnum loads ( Firm crimp and http://www.hodgdonreloading.com/ worked up max load )

UNIQUE for high-midrange loads

W-231/HP-38 for mild loads.

UNIQUE leaves a lot of black soot all over the gun, but it cleans off easy

Posted: 9/13/2015 11:26:57 PM EST

[#3]

Any jacketed bullet weight you prefer with a max load of H-110, magnum primer and a firm crimp. Consult a loading manual for exact charge. Flame on.

Full wadcutter with 3.0 grs Bullseye for an accurate load that shoots like a 22 LR.

Cast 158 gr SWC with a medium burning powder. Either 6 grs Unique for around 1000 fps, or 8 grs for a little more.

It's hard to find a bad 357 load.

Posted: 9/14/2015 12:22:41 AM EST

[#4]

I like 10.0 grains of Blue Dot and a 158 Grain Gas Checked Keith Style SWC.

1300 FPS from a 6 inch barrel.

Posted: 9/14/2015 5:01:19 AM EST

[#5]

158gr. XTP over H110/296 with a magnum primer.
158gr. cast LSWC over 2400 with a standard primer.
158gr. LSWC over Clays in a .38 Special case.

Posted: 9/14/2015 7:40:50 AM EST

[#6]

16.0 grains of 2400 topped with a Hornady 158 grain XTP. Federal #200 Magnum primer.

This is a rifle load that should not be fired in any of the lightweight snubbies... you have been warned! Truthfully, its probably not well suited for anything but the longest barreled .357 revolvers.

1809 fps from my 18" Handi Rifle.

Posted: 9/14/2015 9:01:11 AM EST

[#7]

Thanks guys,

Anyone know if Power Pistol or Titegroup are any good for .357?

I've checked my Lyman book and there isn't much data for those two powders but that's what I'll have on hand until I can get something else.

Thanks again!

Posted: 9/14/2015 9:39:57 AM EST

[#8]

I've used TG and power pistol for .357mag

load data is out there

Posted: 9/14/2015 10:01:25 AM EST

[#9]

6.0 grs WW231 with a 158 gr cast SWC for practice. Cheap but still has some punch and is accurate.

185 gr Beartooth Bullets FNGC with WW296 powder. This is a hunting load. Check their website.

WW296/H110, 2400, AA#9 and IMR4227 are all good powders for full 357 Magnum loads. AA#9 burns cleaner but usually has a bit less velocity. IMR4227 has very little flash.

Posted: 9/14/2015 10:01:28 AM EST

[#10]

Quote History

Quoted:
I've used TG and power pistol for .357mag

load data is out there

View Quote

Thanks I saw that just wondering if they were any "good" for say loading for bowling pins or steel plates.

I see a lot of data for 2400 but it's not a powder I've worked with before, so I was just curious if there are any good .357 loadings with PP or TG.

Best Regards

Thurman

Posted: 9/14/2015 10:43:58 AM EST

[#11]

Quote History

Quoted:
I use Winchester's data for full house loads with 296. For plinking cast bullets I just used my 5.0 gr setting for my 45 ACP with 231. You can go lower with 231 but I said why bother?
You need to be careful using .38 special cases and use 38 special data. Max charges are lower.

View Quote

This. Max load of 296, magnum primer, Remington 125gr JHP. (Load says do not reduce) 1800fps out of a test barrel. These are attention getting flame throwers!

Posted: 9/14/2015 2:26:18 PM EST

[#12]

For top end jacketed I too use W-296.

For light cast loads in 357 brass using 158gr SWC I have gone as low as 5gr Bullseye.

I recently started powder coating my cast bullets. I now have a new favorite plinking "357" magnum load. It is 10gr of Blue Dot with the powder coated Lee 158gr SWC. It's a very nice mid-power load and is fun to shoot even from small revolves like the Rossi 917 or 2" S&W model 19.

Motor

Posted: 9/14/2015 2:36:40 PM EST

[#13]

158 LSWC over 7 gr Unique and a standard primer is my all purpose plinking/woods load.

Posted: 9/14/2015 2:51:14 PM EST

[#14]

Quote History

Quoted:

Thanks I saw that just wondering if they were any "good" for say loading for bowling pins or steel plates.

I see a lot of data for 2400 but it's not a powder I've worked with before, so I was just curious if there are any good .357 loadings with PP or TG.

Best Regards

Thurman

View Quote View All Quotes

View All Quotes

Quote History

Quoted:

Quoted:
I've used TG and power pistol for .357mag

load data is out there

Thanks I saw that just wondering if they were any "good" for say loading for bowling pins or steel plates.

I see a lot of data for 2400 but it's not a powder I've worked with before, so I was just curious if there are any good .357 loadings with PP or TG.

Best Regards

Thurman

i think TG would make a good plinking load,...maybe with cast coated bullets

i think i have power pistol load data in my logbook at home

I'll check when I get home

Posted: 9/14/2015 4:25:32 PM EST

[#15]

Excellent results with AA #9.

Have to use Accurate's data version 3.2.

Current data is 3.5 and heavily lawyered down.

And regardless of what the "internet" people say, AA #9 does best

with a magnum primer.

My personal favorite load:

158gr XTP
14.2grs AA #9
CCI SPP Magnum.

This load is over current data but below older data.

Getting 1250fps from 4" GP100.

Posted: 9/14/2015 4:26:26 PM EST

[#16]

Testing loads today with Alliant's 300-MP,

will report tomorrow.

Posted: 9/14/2015 11:24:48 PM EST

[#17]

Have been reloading 357/38 for quite a few years now. Tried ALL the powders for it, get best results from the Original and Best, Alliant 2400! I strictly stick with 158gr, whether it be lead or copper. I load 13.5grs under lead, 14.0 under copper. NO leading, or copper fouling of any kind! My S&W27 loves 'em!

Posted: 9/15/2015 8:30:31 AM EST

[#18]

Ran tests with Alliant's 300-MP powder yesterday, not impressed.

Hornady 158gr XTP, CCI SPP Magnum primers and Winchester cases.

Ruger GP100 4" revolver.

Started at 17.6grs, then 18.1grs and finally 18.6grs (Alliant's Max).

ES was 70fps at lowest charge and improved to 20fps at max charge,

max velocity was running about 1260fps.

With these results and those from tests in 44 Magnum, I conclude 300-MP

works best with compressed charge.

Overall, I find no compelling reason to choose 300-MP over H110.

Posted: 9/15/2015 8:22:26 PM EST

[#19]

I like 5.5 231 with a 158gr cast, i hate shooting full throttle loads in my 4inch so i dont do it.

Posted: 9/15/2015 8:46:11 PM EST

[#20]

I like 158 cast swc over 13.5 gr of 2400 , don't have my power pistol load available at this time
also blue dot is good for blaster loads with cast bullets...

Later
John

Posted: 9/16/2015 7:51:14 AM EST

[#21]

ANY 158gr bullet seated over 8 grains of Power Pistol. You can reduce the load if you like. Does roughly 1300 fps which is what the "magnum" powders will get you but with a lot less powder and noise.

Posted: 9/16/2015 10:05:55 AM EST

[#22]

I'm calling this a GP100 load only - 16.6gr of WW296 or H110, Win 158gr JHP, WSPM. Straight out of the old Winchester reloading pamphlet. Hot and nasty, you will feel the heat blast on your face. Over time it's not all that much fun to shoot loads like that, they give you a real headache.

My current 357 mag load is 5.5gr of New Formula Unique, 158gr LSWC, and just about anybody's Small Pistol Primer. - 950 FPS out of a 4" GP100. Just barely hot enough to be called a 357 Mag load.

Posted: 9/16/2015 10:22:59 AM EST

[#23]

Quote History

Quoted:
I'm calling this a GP100 load only - 16.6gr of WW296 or H110, Win 158gr JHP, WSPM. Straight out of the old Winchester reloading pamphlet. ....

View Quote

My S&W 686 and lever action carbine eat those like candy

the L-frame 686 is designed for stout magnum loads
plenty of N-frame's that can handle it too

i do avoid hot loads in my 1977 era k-frame model 19 though

Posted: 9/16/2015 5:08:28 PM EST

[#24]

I've shot countless 1000's of reloads in several 357's using 8.0gr of powder pistol and any of the 140gr to 160gr bullets I cast and swage. Some 150gr hp's I swage from free range brass (9mm) and free brem lead fr the cores. 8.0gr of powder pistol gives these bullets enough speed to allow them to put the smack on anything they get a-hold of.

6 shots recovered from a stack of tightly bundled newspapers that were soaked in water for 24hrs.

A couple of 357's that are hard to keep fed, these revolvers with the tuned actions, custom bbl's and shrouds and muzzle breaks go thru piles of ammo in a hurry.

And what they don't go thru the 686 will.

Posted: 9/16/2015 6:02:06 PM EST

[#25]

Quote History

Quoted:
16.0 grains of 2400 topped with a Hornady 158 grain XTP. Federal #200 Magnum primer.

This is a rifle load that should not be fired in any of the lightweight snubbies... you have been warned!

View Quote

I've shot 125g JHP over 17g of 2400 out of my heavy snubby SP101 before. It's a hand full but very manageable and extremely accurate.

I fired this load at an indoor range and the range manager did come up and have a chat with me saying I was scaring people. The flash is really bright and the concussion into your chest or those standing within 15 feet was impressive.

I don't have anymore 2400 so I'll be working up some full power loads for 125g XTPs with H110 in the future.

Posted: 9/17/2015 5:21:59 PM EST

[#26]

Awesome info thanks all!

[ARCHIVED THREAD] - Favorite .357 Magnum Loads

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