Reloading S&W .357 Magnum 2” barrel

[mdzwick]

I have an S&W .357 Magnum 2” barrel, I think it is called a J Frame. I mostly only use it when out west shooting prairie dogs as it is loaded with shotshells incase I come across a rattler.
My question is on reloading, I have manuals but they mostly list loads tested with 6” barrels.
I have in stock
Cases: 38 spcl, 38 spcl+P and 357 Magnum
Bullets: Hornady .357 110gr XTP, Winchester 38/357 125gr JHP-notched and Winchester 38/357 158gr JHP-notched
Powder: Titegroup, Clays Universal, 231 and H110

Any suggestions on the reloading specs is much appreciated.

I do not plan on shooting it much but would like to have some loads on hand, some day I am going to buy a bigger 357 and will then possibly shoot more.

 

[gamestalker]

I load a lot of .357 mag and 38 scpecial +P but I don't use a lot verrying loads. For my .357 loads I use 296 and H110. For 38 special +P I load with Longshot. Got to Hogdon's web site and take a look at their reloading pages. You'll find what your looking for. The 2 powder's I mentioned above are not for light target loads though, and if you are using them do not reduce the data listed below the minimum charges, or pressures will jump unpredictably high.

 

[GLShooter]

The data really won't change much. The H110 gives a hefty muzzle flash at night but then all of them do to some extent.

I like the H110 because it is pretty fast and probably won't give up quite as much velocity in the 2" barrel compared to the others.

If you just want to shoot I would go with a 38 case and use up some of that 231 myself. If I was concerned about hunting something that might bite back on two legs then the 357 loaded to the hilt.

I would also practice my butt off!! Those 2" guns will shoot but it does take some work to get real good with them.

Greg

 

[rcmodel]

Just look at you data and pick the power level you want.

Whatever powder & charge gives the highest velocity in a 6" barrel will also give the highest velocity in a 2" barrel.

rc

 

[gamestalker]

GLshooter, are you saying that H110 is a fast burning powder, or that it produces higher velocities? I'm fairly certain you mean it produces higher velocities. For magnum pistol applications, it is considered a slow burning powder, which is why it can't be reduced below minimum listed charges. I wanted to clarify this with you so the OP doesn't misunderstand it's burn rate, and then, unknowingly start his loads below listed minimum charge weights. On the other side, it is in fact as you said, a very stout powder for loading high velocity, full house magnum loads.

 

[GLShooter]

You are right. I erred on that one. It is SLOWER than the others. It does seem to give top end velocities in most loads and will do the same for the 2" . If you are chasing magnum velocity the slower powders are your friends and are less spiky.

One thing that is fascinating though is that for years we heard to NEVER download 296 yet with H110 they would give us more latitude for charge levels. Many times the H110 would stop and the 296 would keep on going another grain or two. Also they published data that showed as much as a 20% download window for H110 and only a 10% window on 296 on some of the bullet weights.

Greg

 

[Steve C]

Slower powders optimize velocity in the .357 mag. Regardless of what powder you select it will loose approximately 150 to 300 fps when going down to a 2" barrel from a 6". A lot of this depends upon the gun, take 3 different 2" barreled guns and you will get 3 different velocities.

The slow powders like H110 will produce greater muzzle flash, blast and promote flame cutting because they produce a greater volume of gas. For these reasons I'd pick something in the medium burn rate if shooting from a 2" barrel like Unique or AA#5.

 

[mdzwick]

I want to thank everyone for there input. This weekend I tested various loads and none of them appeared to be to hot, looking at the cases and also conographing them.

Gamestalker; you note “do not reduce the data listed below the minimum charges, or pressures will jump unpredictably high” I am not sure I understand, I can see that happening if the barrel is obstructed from a previous shot, if that is not the only way can you explain?

 

[Clark]

Taurus 650 357 mag 5 shot has a 2" barrel

To get the right answer out of Quickload handloading software, you must tell it that the revolver has a 3.675" barrel.
That is the barrel length if you count the cylinder too.


6 gr W231 1.444" 158 gr Nos JHP 38 sp brass, QL 32,500 psi 1012 fps

That revolver has such rough chambers, that I had to work up a load that the cases would not stick. That is the load.

 

[gamestalker]

Sorry for the misunderstanding MDZWICK. What I was refering to is slow burning powders. Slow burning powders are not supposed to be loaded below starting charge weights. They are not pressure friendly or predictable at below minimum charge weights. Compressed powder charges are common place with a lot of slow burning powders. An example is charges for the .357 mag. with 296 or H110, they are pretty packed in there. If a guy isn't familar with these powders it can look pretty scarry when you see the powder almost at the top of the case mouth. A guy who may not be familar with this, might be inspired to reduce the charge significantly, that's when pressure issues will deveope. This is why you'll always see warnings for data utilizing slow burning powders that states, do not reduce this powder below starting charges.
It's no different with high powered rifle when using the slow burner's. These powders are more likely to be problematic at starting load data. But they start to realy perform consistently as you increase the charge up toward the top of the listed charges. A good number of individuals who load for some high powered rifle cartridges actually fill the case with the slowest burning powder for that cartridge. I've actually used that process for my .270 win. with IMR4350, RL 19 and RL22. It doesn't really kick up the velocity much beyond a standard maximum charge, it is more of a consistency measure in that respect. Trying that with faster burning powders will probably reduce the action to dust.