Conflict in data for 357

[Steve H]

I want to load up some 357 today with a combo I haven't tried. 125gr. JHP, H110, SPM primers and my mixed brass. Before I went out to the shop to start I looked at the Hodgdon website and found this info:

Starting load:
21.0 grs.
1881 fps
38,400 CUP

MAX:
22.0 grs
1966 fps
41,400 CUP

Before I started filling cased I opened Speer #13 and found the following:
Starting load 18.0 grs
1154 fps
Max load 20.0 grs .......................(starting on the above)
1282 fps


TO me it seems odd that the starting load from the Hodgdon site is the MAX load in the Speer book.

At first I was going to start at 20.0 grs. now I'm at a loos where to start. I want to think 20.0 would be safe but is it at the bottom end or top end?

Also:

The Speer book has the load coming out of a 6" bbl while Hodgdon is using a 10" bbl. Is the 4" difference going to make that big of a difference in fps?


Added info:
I want to try this load in three different guns, 2" Taurus 608, 6" Python & Winny 94

 

[Mike 27]

I would say start at the lowest (speer) and work up. If you don't have signs of pressure at the speer max I might work on up to the Hodgedon. The powder manufacturers a lot of the time will have higher charge's than the loading books. I just had a post where Hornady went way over the powder site and it deformed many cases I tested from apparent overpressure in a 10mm. Hope this helps.

 

[Parks2055]

Newest Lyman manual shows:
H110 21.0gr 1335 33,500 & 22.0 1506 42,600 CUP
Matches the Hodgdon info.
I am too new to reloading to make a final suggestion though.

 

[rcmodel]

You might want to note the Hodgdon & Lyman data is with a jacketed Hornady XTP and the Speer data is with a Plated Speer Gold Dot.

They are not the same bullet construction or shape, and the data is not the same.

You didn't say what kind of bullets you are using, but it would matter.

rc

 

[Steve H]

I would say start at the lowest (speer) and work up.

That's what I want to think but I don't want to stick a bullet in the barrel of the '94.....

 

[Steve H]

RC speer # 13 is showing BOTH the GD-HP and JHP info for that load. I know and understand what you are saying about the GD-HP as I believe it is actually a plated bullet.

 

[joneb]

Here is a Remington JHP and a Hornady XTP as rc stated the bullet can make the difference.

 

[Mr.Revolverguy]

Shape and most important the amount of baring surface for each of them is where the difference comes in. Since I mostly load for accuracy in handguns utilizing my rifles for hunting, when I get conflicting data I Always start at the lowest until I get a clear burn and the accuracy I am looking for.

 

[highlander 5]

The one factor that no one is talking abut is what firearm is the round being fired from.
Every rifle,shotgun,pistol and revolver is a law unto its self. I have 2 357 magnum revolvers a GP 100 and a Ruger Redhawk and I wouldn't even think of puting the loads I use in the Redhawk in the GP 100. Speer's manuals used to have a chapetr "Why Ballistian's Get Grey" Page 443-445 in Manual # 13 that explains the subtlties of reloading your own ammo.

 

[buck460XVR]

That's what I want to think but I don't want to stick a bullet in the barrel of the '94.....

@ 1150FPS I doubt if you'll stick a bullet. I shoot 158gr JHPs outta my 20'' .357 carbine all the time using Unique giving me about 1000 fps. Outta my 6'' revolvers they run about 850fps.

 

[RevGeo]

When in doubt err to the side of safety. You can always go up.
The Speer load will definitely not stick a bullet in the bore.

 

[Josh45]

You should look up the Hornady manual 8th edition. The starting load is a bit lower for H-110 and 125 Gr XTP bullets.

 

[Steve H]

I want to think the bullet is from Montana Gold but not sure. I bought them a couple of yeas ago from someone on this site that was offering a "special". I bought 1000 of them, they cam in a plastic bag "tube" and the label fell off..........
I can't find a 125gr 357 JHP on the Montana Gold site now.

this is the bullet

 

[AntiSpin]

I Have Seven Different Manuals

just for cross-checking, and that sort of discrepancy between loads in different books is the rule, rather than an aberration.

I have found that Lee is pretty consistently lowest in it starting loads.

One thing I have done when working up a new (for me) load in the past is simply to add up the starting loads from each manual, take an average, and start there.

 

[WYOMan]

I have 4 load manuals around. Sometimes the information will vary. Starting with the lowest listed from them is usually the way I go.