357 - pistol v rifle loads and primers

The whole idea of carrying a rifle and handgun chambered in the same cartridge is not needing to keep the ammo separate. Any good .357 Magnum load can be used safely in both. I own a Marlin levergun in .357 Magnum and i have never found the need to use a SRP. I usually load my top end .357 Magnum ammo with W296/H110 so I use a Small Pistol Magnum primer.

The only difference between firing the ammo in a rifle or handgun, the additional velocity you will gain from the longer barrel of the rifle.

About the only issue you would ever run into using rifle primers in your revolver is that rifle primers tend to have slightly thicker walls. For most revolvers, this will not be an issue but if you have light springs or your revolver is prone to getting light strikes, rifle primers will make it worse.

I load the same loads for my revolvers and rifles for .357. I have never seen the need to keep them separate. The only reason I ever would is if any particular load was not accurate in both guns.

I use rifle primers in loadings I use in my Marlin because they pierce pistol primers. No way would I shoot them in my Smiths.

To each his own.

I use SRP's for my .357 Magnum loads for my S&W 686. They are less potent than magnum SPP's, and they work just fine.

Don

bluetopper said:

I use rifle primers in loadings I use in my Marlin because they pierce pistol primers. No way would I shoot them in my Smiths.

To each his own.

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I can't count the number of .357 Magnum rounds I've shot in my Marlin using only pistol primers and I have never seen a pierced primer.

Why would a Marlin levergun pierce a primer where the revolvers wouldn't?

Because they're loaded with quite a bit more powder.

bluetopper said:

Because they're loaded with quite a bit more powder.

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So what you are saying is, the rounds are not .357 Magnum, they are something well over the SAAMI limits. In that case your results are not valid in this discussion because we are all talking about normal .357 Magnum ammo, not something that's already overpressure.

I too load for a 6" GP100 and also a Winchester 1873 in .357. My only concern has been bullet velocity as some rounds will exceed manufacturers recommended velocity out of my .1873 but not my GP100.

lezmark said:

I also have some rifle 357 rifle load charts that call for a small rifle primer which I have bought, but not loaded or used yet.

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..................and what published source gave you that?

If it is safe (stays within manufacturers loading data) in a revolver, it should be safe in a modern strong action like a Win 1892 or a marlin 1894. You don't even need to load them all that hot to get amazing results with rifle.

My own favorite load is 13.5 grains of 2400 and standard primers behind a cast LBT FN gas check bullet. I measure 1200 fps from my 4 inch GP-100 and 1680 out of my Winchester 1892.

If you are shooting a jacketed hollow point, you need to consult the manufacturer regarding the velocity range for optimum expansion. If you exceed the tolerances of the bullet, it may blow up on contact giving a shallow wound and inadequate penetration. I'd hate to lose a deer that way.

Tom