Preferred 357 bullet weight

I started reloading with 158gr and just never tried any other weight. Rather than step up to a 180gr, I step up caliber to .41 or .44 mag.

I prefer 158 grain bullets for 357 Magnum for the most part.

Heavier bullets have too much a rainbow tradjectory, lighter weight bullets have too much flash and awe.

For me 158gr bullets work best for some of my fixed sight revolvers, and seems to be a good all purpose bullet weight. Though 140gr XTP's is a favorite in some of my revolvers, I voted for the 158gr if I could only have one.

Put me in the 158 camp

I like a 158gr sjsp. Shoots well in both my revolver and lever action rifle with no cycling issues in the rifle.

chris

I voted for 158 grain bullets. They seem to have a nice "balance" to them. I bought a box of 140 gr. "357 Zingers" from Missouri Bullet Co. that make for nice lighter loads.

125 JHP is my favorite followed by the 140 gr coated Zingers from MBC

Long time 158 grain guy, recent convert to 180 grain. There are reasons, main one being that my carbine didn't shoot 158 grain (primarily swc) cast bullets very well. Tried a 180 wfn and it was significantly more accurate, my revolvers do fine with it and I use less powder. I do still use 158 jhp for some things, it's a happy medium weight. I suspect the 180 wfn would be more effective than a 158 swc on meat but haven't tested that personally.
Either way, 357 mag is my plinking cartridge and if I'm going to the range there's a 99% chance I've got a 357 or two with me.

I've got no use for bullets under 158 grain in 357.

158 gr for fixed sight revolvers.

180 (+) for adjustable sights and carbines.

Obturation said:

I've got no use for bullets under 158 grain in 357.

Click to expand...

And I completely agree with @Obturation about that.

I use only 158grs. They have always done the job at hand for me..

Played around with 125 but always come back to 158.. probably 85% of my reloads are 158. I know all my factory stuff is 158

Mostly 158gr bullets in the 357mag but I do use 170gr thumpers when needed.

I mostly use 158 gr. since that is what has been the most readily available and reliable 357 magnum bullet I have found online and in the stores I use locally. The 158 gr. is pleasant to load and works well with the powders I have on hand, including Red Dot, AA#7, Win 296, and Bullseye.

I like 158gr full-meplat cast HiTek bullets in .357Mag.

Based on my reading in terminal ballistics, I think the 125gr JHP is probably a bit better for light targets, but either is so overwhelmingly effective that the difference isn't important, and the two-holes penetration of the 158gr is good for heavier targets.

Handgun: Favoring 140 gr.
Rifle: 158 gr. for now. Researching for a good 170-180 gr. bullet mold.

Maybe this one;
http://arsenalmolds.com/products?product_id=65&limit=75

125 gr. sometimes 158gr.Tried 110gr. xtp,got them free just didn't like them. 2400 is my .357 powder

I like 158 and 180. I definitely shoot more 158 because of the ease (until 2020) of grabbing a box of Berry's or HSM. Since now I will be planning ahead, I might shift to poly-coated 180s.

I only ever used home cast lead 125's and 158's and not long ago I started powder coating everything I cast. No more smoke from wax lube, clean bores, easy sizing and I don't have to buy wax ever again, it's all good. Here's some .45's I made recently.

IMHO, in today's world of modern bullets, their design and intended use is more important that weight, especially when it comes to a bullet who's legitimate weight range is relatively small, like .357. Then, one has to figure in the bullets of tomorrow, that will have no lead in them and thus weight will not really be relative to today's bullets.

I like 158's in .357 and 125's in .38. While they are the same diameter, they are two totally different calibers and their general intent is much different. Within those weights, I use HPs, SPs and cast to achieve different results of terminal performance. But that's just me, others are free to use what works for them.

I want to say that somewhere I read the cartridge was designed around the 158 bullet weight. I started with a 158 SWC design and it worked so well I never moved off it for a long time. That being said, I have loaded a bunch of 148 and 125s for it and the 38 spl. I still keep a few 125s around as bunny fart loads when working with people new to firearms, but 158s have always shot the best in every one of my revolvers.

To be honest, I haven't come across anything yet that a SWC 158 doesn't do well. from making holes in paper to dumping bowling pins to ringing steel to bringing down varmints and even larger animals. buddy's taken a number of deer with plain old cast 158 swc's out of a lever gun.

My self defense bullet of choice is a 125 grain JHP loaded hot. For targets or plinking I cast a H&G 170 grain Keith type SWC out of wheelweight alloy.

I prefer 180's... but I typically loaded 158's because of cost. Never liked light (110, 125) bullets.

I am completely out of the .38/.357 business, now, but if a nice .357 Dan Wesson ever fell into my lap, I'd be loading 180's for it.