[Shoot66]

Friends,
Please, suggest an accurate, not too heavy long-range .357 Mag load for a 6 in bbl revolver. I am asking for a not too heavy load as it is intended for a Colt Python, which I would like to preserve in a good shape for many years to come. The load is not intended for hunting (handgun hunting is illegal here) but for informal target shooting/casual plinking at distances up to 300-400 yards.
I am aware that many good loads have been published by the gurus, but only Vihtavouri, Accurate and Vectan propellants are available locally at the present time. Thanks.

[murf]

you need to decide what bullet to shoot. suggest you do a thread search for 357magnum and get some ideas. when you have your bullet, look up mid-range loads in a couple reloading manuals. get some ideas, then ask your question. we can help you if you are a little more specific.

murf

[Shoot66]

Thanks for your reply murf.
The bullet weight is 158 gr and 180 gr. Lead or EPRX coated. I know how to develop a load, just hoped that some highroaders have done the work before me and would direct me to a specific propellant /a pound goes for 47-59 USD here/. I have AA#7 at my hands and thought would get some of the slower Vihtavouri powders /N350, 3N38, N110/.
Perhaps, I did not dig deep enough in the available data but all I have found so far is data using powders from other produceres, which I can not get here. Thanks.

[Funshooter45]

I am only recently testing loads with 180 gr hard cast bullets in the .357's I own. For long distance shooting I can already tell the 180 gr bullets are far superior to the 158 gr bullets I have always used. There seem to be a variety of powders that can make those bullets perform well such as H110 or Enforcer. For the powders you have available, I only have limited experience with Vihtavuouri and none with Vectan. I love the VV stuff I have, but it it happens to be much too fast for this application. However, for this particular application, I have had extremely good results with the AA#9 powder. I have never tried your AA #7, I am guessing it's a little too fast for best results.

It's ironic that I bought my first can of AA #9 when I was just trying to complete a powder order from Powder Valley and added that can. At the time I was loading fairly low power .45 Colt rounds and although it was safe it was extremely dirty. It sat on the back shelf for quite awhile. Finally I tried it with some very hot .44 mag loads and was impressed. Then I tried it with .357 mag loads with 158 gr bullets and was very impressed. Now with the 180 gr bullets, I think I really like it the best of all.

[Shoot66]

Funshooter. Like you, I have been using just the faster types of powders suitable for target shooting up to 50 yards /AA#2, 5 and 7 and Vihtavouri N 320/. My knowledge is therefore rather limited. However, the older I become the more I get attracted to the long-range stuff. Thanks for your imput.

[gamestalker]

I've had really good results with jacketed 158 gr. bullets, speciffically Gold Dot's. I load a 158 Gold Dot with 16.4 grains of H110 or 296 and it performs very nicely. Last year my Son shot a dear at around 150 yds. with that load and it went down like it got hit by a truck. Unlike loading 125 gr. bullets, the 158's are much nicer to shoot and doesn't stress the firearm nearly as much as you might expect.
I know I'll probably get quite a it of negative feed back on this load, but if your going to be shooting long range and want decent trajectory, considering what a .357 has to offer, this load will get it done. I chronographed this load through a Taurus 608 at around 1250 fps. It has about a 2 1/2" barrel with another 1 1/2 ish of compensator on it. So I'm sure your 6" barrel will poduce a little better velocity. Try it, I think you'll really be surprised how well this load performs. Even my snubby's shoot well with that load.

[Steve C]

Choose your bullet, look at the manual and select your powder, find or calculate your start load. Work up your load looking for accuracy. There are no short cuts if to get an accurate load for your pistol. How well someone elses load performs in yor gun is a crap shoot.

informal target shooting/casual plinking at distances up to 300-400 yards.

Just hitting a target as big as a 50 gal drum at these distances with a handgun requires a lot of target hold over and dust to see where you are hitting while you walk your rounds to the target. Load really doesn't matter as a 36" group would be outstanding and 50 fps more velocity from a heavy load doesn't make much difference at those ranges.

[Seedtick]

The only powder in your list that I am familiar with is Accurate Powder. I am sold on Alliant 2400 for my magnum powder but my second favorite is Accurate #9. I believe it will fit the bill nicely.

Seedtick

:)

[Quoheleth]

I have a load I've worked out for my 6" GP100 with a 180gr cast lead round nose flat point bullet charged with 11.3gr 2400, SPP and mixed grass. Good thumper at 200 yards. Haven't tried it over that.

Accurate #9 has very similar characteristics but you can't swap data (i.e., 11.3 gr 2400 =/= 11.3gr AA#9).

I find this more pleasant to shoot than hot-snot 125gr loads.

Q

[ljnowell]

I load a 158gr bullet(missouri Bullet 357 Action) over 14.5gr of 2400. I regularly shoot at 100 yards with a 4" barrel S&W 686. Its plenty accurate at that distance.

[Shoot66]

Gamestalker: Thank you. I am sure the 158 gr bullet will do it. I have just noticed that many suggest the 180 gr bullet is more accurate at long distances. Therefore my thinking is it might be worth trying.

Steve C: You are absolutely right on the shortcuts. However, if I can use experience of smarter guys than me, I am glad to grab it. Especially when choosing powder.
BTW, I have been plinking at 50 m at clay birds (5-6 of 8) and at 100 m (111 yards) at 10´´ paper plates and balloons using SIG P210 and Colt Python 6´´ for this game. :)
There are very few ranges over 100 meters here. I have to drive more than 3 hrs to get to one. No dry lands here, mostly grassy valleys.

Last night I did my homework and checked the German shooting webpages. The German shooting community is the largest in Europe and they mostly use Vihtavouri powders. I found loads of useful information. Vihtavouri 3N37 and N340 seem to be the most popular with 180 gr bullets at the moment.

Thank you to everybody.

[ceplummer]

Q - fairly new at reloading: what did you mean by "SPP and Mixed grass"?

[zxcvbob]

Q - fairly new at reloading: what did you mean by "SPP and Mixed grass"?Small pistol primer and mixed [headstamps] brass.

[Quoheleth]

Yeah - SPP = small pistol primers and "grass" meant brass, mixed range pick-up stuff.

Sorry about that...
Q

[ceplummer]

Ha! For a second there, I thought I'd stumbled on some arcane reloading secret using dried grass as an inert case filler. I'm glad you clarified that! Can't wait to try a similar load in my own 6inch GP100.

[ArchAngelCD]

Shooting a 180gr bullet in the .357 Magnum might be a little hard on your revolver. (and your hand too) I have to agree a 158gr bullet might be just a little light for long distances though. Why not compromise and use a 170gr bullet. Sierra makes one and I have used them for years. W296/H110 will deliver the highest velocities for the most part. Actually Lil'Gun will deliver more velocity with less pressure than W296 but there is some questions about forcing cone or barrel erosion. If there's any chance of that happening you wouldn't want to use it in your Python.

I do use Lil'Gun for 170gr and 180gr bullet .357 Magnum loads meant for my Marlin Carbine and it does deliver considerable more velocity than W296/H110.

[zxcvbob]

How about a 158 with a very good ballistic coefficient? (off the top of my head, Lee's 2R round-nosed is kind of long and pointy)