recommend me a load/source .357mag

justinpar · Dec 29, 2011

I have a Hornady manual that is giving me nothing as far as loads are going. I would like to use the powder that I already have but may go to my LGS to pick up some 2400 since my manual has data for that. So with the data listed below could you recommend me a load and the source.

Powders on hand:

Powder Pistol
Bullseye
Unique

Bullet:

Missouri Bullet Company .357mag 158gr Action (18 bh)

Primer:

WSPP

I just loaded a test batch of 6.0gr with unique with an OAL of 1.585". According to allliants web site this should give me a tad over 1,000 fps. I have a feeling that I still my experience slight leading out of this load. I would like to push them around 1100-to-1200 fps. Is this practical with the powders I have on hand or with it be best to get 2400?

zxcvbob · Dec 29, 2011

According to Alliant's 2004 load book (before they gutted the online load data) you can go up to 6.8 grains of Unique or 6.5 of Bullseye. They didn't list anything for Power Pistol, but I would start at 8.0 grain with max of about 8.5.

I've used 8.0 grains of Herco with 158 grain SWC's and it's a good load (but you didn't say anything about Herco)

Steve C · Dec 29, 2011

Alliants data uses Speer bullets which like the Hornady bullet is a swagged bullet that's softer than a cast at 18 bnh thus the lower charge weights in recent data. You can go up to 6.8grs of Unique according to earlier Alliant data for a velocity of 1,295 fps. I generally use 6.0 to 6.2grs of Unique with cast bullets.

justinpar · Dec 29, 2011

I know most people consider Alliants web site reloading data as junk, but what is up with the disconnect for there .357mag data. They rate 7.7gr of Unique for 158gr speer GDHP at 1,040fps, but then rate 6.0gr of Unique for 158gr LSWC at 1,034fps.

joed · Dec 29, 2011

You'll like 2400, that's my go to powder for .357 and .44. Unlike H110 you can go mild to wild with it. I'm not a fan of Unique anymore, switched to Universal a couple years ago.

ArchAngelCD · Dec 30, 2011

justinpar said:
I know most people consider Alliants web site reloading data as junk, but what is up with the disconnect for there .357mag data. They rate 7.7gr of Unique for 158gr speer GDHP at 1,040fps, but then rate 6.0gr of Unique for 158gr LSWC at 1,034fps.

Lead bullets are much easier to push down a barrel so it takes much less powder to achieve the same velocity as a jacketed bullet.

Jeff H · Dec 30, 2011

I know most people consider Alliants web site reloading data as junk,

Yep, that is the general consensus concerning their lead bullet loads. All they show is data for those soft swagged bullets and not for the harder cast ones. As posted earlier in this thread, find the 2004 version of their manual, it is on the net if you search for it.

Personally, I use 2400 and really like it. It produces good results from 12g all the way up to 15 grains, and no leading in my any of my guns. (Accuracy does seem to suffer with the higher end loads in my guns so I don't use them anymore. )

recommend me a load/source .357mag

justinpar

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Steve C

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joed

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Jeff H

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