357 powders

[jsickle]

Been reloading 357mag for 4 inch GP100, powders I'm using now are Alliant 2400, H110, IMR4227, Bullseye,and Universal, with good results just wondering what other powders you guys and gals like to use.
At this time I have on hand 158gr SNS coated SWC and 158gr Hornaday XTP.
Love this reloading can't seem to stop testing loads and powders.
Thanks

 

[Mauser69]

For light target loads I prefer 700x, but I load all those in .38 Spl cases. You already have the most common powders for full-house loads in the magnums. I personally do not particularly like the IMR4227 - have had accuracy issues with it combined with SOME (not all) jacketed bullets. I just picked up 8# of Accurate #5, so I guess I'll be shooting a lot of that in the future.

 

[ArchAngelCD]

I use mostly 3 powders for reloading handgun cartridges, W231(HP38, W540(HS-6) and W296(H110). I use W231 for very light masterclass in the .38 Special range and HS-6 for full power lead loads in the .357 Magnum. I reserve W296 for the highest end jacketed ammo.

I feel Bullseye is way to fast a powder for the .357 but all the other powder you listed are fine in their pressure range.

 

[MEHavey]

Try Vihtavouri N-110. It is my go-to powder for med-hvy bullets/med-hvy loads.

Does 97.237% of what W296/H-110 does, but can be loaded down and well as up
without any problems, and does not require a Mag primer.

 

[Catpop]

jsickle, I have the same revolver. I've used some of the same powders you have (but I can't find 2400 any more).
If you can get Red Dot, that's a great powder at 3-3.5 gr under a Missouri 158 lswc 12 br. Great light target load. I got 1 1/2" groups at 50' on regular basis. But I can't find that now either.
So I am trying Universal as we speak.
Good luck, catpop

 

[Crashbox]

Herco is my favorite for .357 Magnum cast rounds; I use about 7.5-7.7 grains under a Missouri Bullet 140 TCFP and it serves me well.

I like 2400 for the hotter rounds, especially with 125 jacketed pills. The flash is most notable. On rare occasions I'll load up some using H110/W296 for the real screamers.

I do have numerous other powders in stock suitable for the .357 (AA9, IMR 4227, HS-6, Power Pistol, Unique, Universal, 300-MP, and probably some others) but the aforementioned flavors are the ones I mostly use.

 

[JO JO]

for light target loads I like Trail Boss ,
all others I prefer 2400

 

[rg1]

Best powder I've used for .357 Magnum and Hornady 158 XTP's is Accurate Arms #9 powder. Use AA#9 data available on-line. The 1st edition Accurate Arms manual used standard CCI 500 primers while the latest data uses CCI 550 mag primers. I use CCI 500's and 1st edition manual data.

 

[Buckeye357]

For full out mag load with XTP bullets Win 296 is my favorite. 2400 is very good for heavy and medium loads. I like Trail Boss for light loadings. I also have had good results with BE-86 and it's , for me ,easy to find.Alliant website has some data for BE-86.

 

[PO2Hammer]

I shoot mostly light loads in magnum brass. I used Titegroup years ago, switched to Clays and Trail Boss, now I use Bullseye exclusively for light loads. Bullseye works great in magnum brass with 125 grain bullets, must not be too position sensitive and it burns clean with coated bullets. I think Bullseye is also more accurate than Trail Boss.

For midrange loads I like HS-6 with a firm crimp and magnum primers.

I don't really load anything too hot anymore.

 

[joneb]

I use 2400 and Accurate #9 for warm loads with jacketed bullets.

 

[gamestalker]

AA9 is a good one. I've also used Blue Dot, and it gets them out there pretty good also.

Can't help much with target loads or lead, I'm a full tilt jacketed loader / shooter.

GS

 

[Comrade Mike]

Hard to beat 13 grains of 2400 under a Keith style SWC

 

[tightgroup tiger]

I use 7.6 gr-8.2 gr of Power Pistol with a 158 gr SWC. I have loaded it down to about 6.4 gr with lead bullets with really good success. Max listed is 8.6 gr for 158gr jhp depending on where you look.

I also like 7.3 - 7.6 gr of BE-86 and have used down to 6.8 gr in my testing.
maximum list is 7.8gr.

I also use 13.2 gr of 2400 with the 140 gr COPs (copper only projectiles) and they are really accurate with it. Really accurate!.

And 14.9 gr of 2400 with 158 gr jhp which is maximum load in my load manual for 158 gr.

This is what I shoot out of my GP 100 4"and Security Six 4".

I tried Titegroup, it heated my barrel up to fast, I still use mostly Power Pistol for range use because I still have about 8 lbs of it to use up and it's easier to find than BE-86. I like BE-86 better though.

 

[jsickle]

Thanks for all the replies looks like I'll be getting some more powders, will try some AA9 first and go on from there.
Should have mentioned that I load 44mag also so I like to have powders that work in both.
Thanks again

 

[buck460XVR]

With what you already have, about the only other powder I would suggest giving a try to for .357 is Unique.

 

[herkyguy]

I've used 296 and AA9 for magnum loads. Anything else I just load .38 special... I'm limited in .357 brass sitting around, so when i do shoot it, I go heavy and magnum.

Bucket list for me is to kill a deer (in eastern NC) with my GP100 6" - I've got some great cast bullets loaded up pretty hot with 296 just begging for gun season....

 

[joneb]

Should have mentioned that I load 44mag also

I use H-110 or 300MP for 44 Mag.

 

[jsickle]

With what you already have, about the only other powder I would suggest giving a try to for .357 is Unique.

Can't find any Unique in this area so I went with Universal, was under the impression they were kind of similar.
Loading a little above the bottom end it makes for a nice load that my grand kids 9yrs to 12 yrs old can shoot

 

[Dudedog]

Unique and Universal are close.
I much prefer Universal, cleaner, meters better, but not quite the velocity potential of Unique but one of my favorites.
Of course if you are after max vel in .357 you would want to use one of your slower powders.

 

[7mmb]

Try Vihtavouri N-110. It is my go-to powder for med-hvy bullets/med-hvy loads.

Does 97.237% of what W296/H-110 does, but can be loaded down and well as up
without any problems, and does not require a Mag primer.

I second this. N110 seems to be tailor made for 357 Magnum. It is the best one out there. Also the most expensive and hardest to find. If you can get your hands on some get it.

 

[GRIZ22]

I use Unique for 1100-1200 fps with a cast 158 gr swc. W296 if I want something hotter.

 

[Toprudder]

For full magnum loads, I have only used H110 so far, and don't see any reason not to like it. I love the big fireball.

Powders I have on hand but not tried in 357mag yet: 300-MP, 4227, 2400, AA#9, HS-6.

I have tried BE-86, and while it isn't quite magnum velocity, it is not bad. It is a good all around load for 357mag.

For light plinking loads, it is hard to beat Trailboss.

 

[tomingreeneco]

I use Unique, Blue Dot, Accurate #9 and Titegroup for 158gr rnfp bullets from Missouri Bullet.

 

[Jurist]

357 loads

I am using Unique,Red Dot with cast lead 158grn,and 158 FMJ no problems good accuracy,in my 686 and Marlin 1894c.