[WebHobbit]

We are gonna be loading up some .357 practice loads. Were trying for medium velocities...around 1250 FPS with a 110-125 grain jacketed bullet. My reasoning being that it will approximate (slightly less) my self-defense factory loads without being too punishing to gun/shooter.

What powder would you all recommend? I think we used to use Accurate Arms #5 or #7 (I forget which) several years back. Is there a better/cleaner choice?

Opinions please.

[P95Carry]

No way have I tried all the powders but .. I do find Vhitavuori N110 is cleanest ever. I load 14 grns behind my cast gascheck Lyman 158 SWC .. works great. Not a max load but also not a ''pussy'' load either ...... a reduction to maybe 13.5 would get close to your requirements.

Blue Dot will work too for your requirements but IMO it's dirty - still use it tho for a ''hot'' 38spl ''+++P I load'' ... 8.5 grns behind same bullet just described..

[oscar]

WW 231 is a good choice.

[HSMITH]

Look into Hodgdon International Clays for clean midrange loads.

[WESHOOT2]

Universal Clays makes for excellent ammo.

[Tony Z]

AA #5 (Very Low Flash)
W231
Hogdon Universal Clays
V-V 3N40 (Very low flash)



These are some of the powders I like.


Tony

[P95Carry]

V-V N340 (Very low flash) Tony Z - I would make a point with that selection ..... Vit makes that as a 9mm powder ... I use it and like it. BUT!!! It is not all that much slower than N310 (Vit's ''Bullseye'' equivalent). The N110 I use is specifically suied to .357 and .44 mag....... much slower.

I wouldn't in truth consider this for .357 mag loads ... it is too fast IMO .... unless of course downloaded for maybe short barrel guns. Even so, it won't fill case too well and there could be pressure peak probs too.

Just a thought!


:)

[Mike Irwin]

231 has been my choice for that kind of load for nearly 20 years now, about 6.2 to 6.3 grains with a 125-gr. lead bullet and I get right around 1,200 fps.

[357Man]

You might want to try Hodgdon Titegroup as well. AA5 is good in the clean burning department too.

[larryw]

I use N340 for mid 357 and 44Mag pistol loads. Works great, consistant and clean! Vit publishes N340 data for both cartridges in their data manuals. Best for hard/jacketed bullets.

Blue Dot is another good choice, depending on the bullet (soft/lead?), may be a better choice.

110 won't work here. You shouldn't load 110 below the minimum.

[MoNsTeR]

231 or Titegroup. Beware though, 231 has some heavy-duty muzzle flash in this type of load.

[happy old sailor]

i use a lot of Blue Dot. not real clean, not real dirty.

wipe of the guns with a silicon cloth and one pass thru chambers and bore with a bore snake and all is like it was.

don't really like Blue Dot for my snub guns or autos.

2.8 to 3.0 grains of Bullseye and a 148 gr. wadcutter will cut some X's with a K19. my old standby for paper.

Unique is a good powder for lots of things. it has been in production for decades and still a favorite of many. a good starter powder for anyone.

[Mike Irwin]

"Beware though, 231 has some heavy-duty muzzle flash in this type of load."

:confused:

I've never noticed any undue muzzle flash with my .357 loads and 231, either indoors or outside...

[HankB]

With a 110-125 grain jacketed bullet, I've had good luck with SR4756. Burns clean, and no need for a magnum primer.

When I first started reloading, I decided to try this powder because the Speer #8 manual indicated that top loads gave very high velocity with a 125. Fortunately, I started WAY below their top load - the recommended 14 grains, which I never tried, as I saw signs of excess pressure with much less powder. (Ummm . . . what I'm trying to say is, do NOT repeat NOT try Speer #8's top load of 14 grains!!) Today's loading data recommends much lower powder charges.

On the other hand, 8 or 9 grains will produce a pretty decent "medium" load without being excessive. Actually, SR4756 behaves a lot like Unique, except it's much cleaner and meters through my measure more consistently.

[MoNsTeR]

Even 4gr of 231 with a 125gr Rainier flat point gives significant flash for me out of a 4" Security Six. Bump it up to 6gr and I get a fireball the size of my head!

[Bacchus]

I would also recommend that you try Unique. You might like 2400, although it you'll have unburned powder for the lighter loads.

[DAL]

...but also not a ''pussy'' load...

Ummm! You'd better watch it or else someone here might be offended. :o ;)
DAL

[StressPuppy]

I second the comments about Vhitavuori. I have loaded 45, 38 spl and 9mm. I had tried other brands and they worked fine, just a bit dirty.

I switched to Vit N340 and haven't looked back. But it is more expensive. Worth the price to me.

Too bad companies don't have smaller sizes so you can try 50 rounds or so and see how you like the powder. I have a shelf with a couple of different bottles of powder that I am not using anymore and probably won't use again (unless I get a bit mischevious, but that is another story!)