Favorite 357 load with plated 158?

I load 5 to 5.2 gr Unique in 38spl. I would guess that is about starting level load for 357. Alliant probably list data on their web site.

6.2 gr unique under 158 grain lnfp for me.
Not too vulgar, not too reserved....just right. I shoot it in my revolvers, including my snub, and my carbine.

I load 3.8grains 700x with the 158gr berry's FP. That's +P range. Out of my Traditions Single shot rifle it shoots like a .22. With my Taurus 6.5"bbl not bad, but out of my S&W642 it's painful.

With a Rainier 158 plated FP in 357 brass @ 1.585" I have used 5.5, 6.0 and 6.5 grains Unique with a standard primer. I settled on 6.0 as a standard load. FWIW 8.4 grains HS-6 with a magnum primer is my other standard load with that bullet.

I like to load nominal 158 grain bullets in 357 Magnum cases to about 1000 fps (plus/minus). I'm not big into shooting full power loads at this time. It is just my preference. (If I want wrist snapping recoil, I'll drag out the 460 S&W Magnum)

Currently, I've been loading 6.3 grains of Unique. I normally use cast semi-wadcutters but I have used this load with plated bullets. I get 950 fps in a four inch revolver and 1025-1050 fps in a 6" revolver.

These are fairly comfortable to shoot in my 3" 357 Magnum Model 60. These are more comfortable to shoot than 38 Special +P in aluminum framed 2" J-frames.

There are lots of good powder choices out there including Unique. Many good choices have already been mentioned above.

with the 158 gr and 125 gr plated bullet i use sr4756 and titegroup. my loads are used in three different lever guns that are used for nra silhouette matches. they are not making sr4756 any more. titegroup works well in the 357 mag.

Walkalong said:

7.3 Grs of BE-86. X-Treme 158 Gr SWC, WSP primer, 48 Degrees, 31% RH, 4" 586-3. Average 1057 Powder back and Avg 1001 Powder forward. Very accurate.

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^^^^^^ This. One of the least position sensitive powders I have tried for non-magnum velocity loads. Shoots very well in my GP100.

6.5 gr of Unique with a plated 158, CCI 500 and a light roll crimp has been good for me in a lever action rossi and 2 revolvers. This load is in a .357 magnum case.

I've been having great results with 5.2 gr of Universal. Very Clean and accurate. I get more consistent velocities as well