Favorite .357 target loads

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brutus51

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My favorite ,357 target load is a 125gr. bullet with 13.5gr. of 2400.
Used to be the old Speer .146gr. half jacketed SWC but those are no longer made.:(
Looking for something a little milder like in the 1000/1100 fps range. Will be using Extreme .124gr. plated bullets and have a variety of powders on hand.
So what's your favorite?
 
158 gr. LSWC (coated) over 5.0 grs. of Red Dot. As I recall, it is an old Elmer Keith favorite.
 
It’s been a long time since I saw any 231 but almost identical to @JJFitch above. For distance though I use JHP and a heavy charge of whatever is available. I have some loaded now waiting on my next DA .357 to find it’s way to my house. I could talk about loads for my 357 contender but that’s not normal. Those loads do pretty good in the 16” SAA as well. I need to put a stock on that gun.
 
Sorry I wasn't clear but I thought the 1,000/1100 was a good indicator, that's what I'm after with a 125gr pill.
 
Never mentioned any publication, just saying the load I'm looking for.
Already started the project and have decided on:
158gr. Extreme plated SWC with 5.5gr. of titegroup for about 1050 out of a 6" barrel. Switched to the 158 grainers because I have a bunch of them. Let you all know how they shoot next week. Will be using a 4" Colt Cobra and a 6" Dan Wesson.:thumbup:
 
Here's the velocities I got.
For those kind of velocities I'll generally stick with 2400,296 or AA#9 another related project will be using VV N105 for the top velocities had great luck with it in 38 Super and 10mm.
In this case I'm looking for a comfortable to shoot tack driver.

X-Treme 158 Gr SWC and WST or Competition. Light, accurate, clean, low recoil, fun.

Don't have any of those powders available but that's the bullet I'm shooting. Thing I dislike about Titegroup is how hot it burns.:uhoh:
 
I'm kind of liking 125gr over 6.5gr of general dynamics CBI in a 38spl case.
It's a mild 357 load in a 38spl case, don't shoot them in a 38spl.
I have short barrel guns so I use faster powders.
 
Hmm. In my BH, it's 12.5gr 2400/158gr coated rnfp. In my henry[20" barrel], it's 11.5gr 2400/180gr coated rnfp. Or, sometimes 158 coated and 6.0gr Universal. All accurate. Really like that 180 load out of my Henry.
 
Try Bullseye or W231 for 1000-1100 fps with plated 124 gr.

Edit: I see you've already worked up something else. If those don't work out, you might consider the above.
 
6.5gr Win231, Cast & Coated 158gr

I much prefer a good cast and coated bullet with a good crimp groove, over a plated one that you have to be cautious about roll crimp



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powder coated LEE 158gr FP

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Lyman 358477

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win231/HP-38, Unique, Universal, HS-6, and power pistol work well with 158 1000fps loads
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4.5 grains of Unique with a 158 RNL or 158 coated bullet. Not a lot of speed but very accurate out of my .357s. Best load I've shot is 185 grain RNL that I cast myself with the same 4.5 grains of Unique. It will keep all 6 shots into a 1 inch dot at 25 yards all day long.
 
I much prefer a good cast and coated bullet with a good crimp groove, over a plated one that you have to be cautious about roll crimp
I load a coated 158 Gr SWC with 2400 for full power stuff, and I could also use them for plinkers, but I really like my X-Teme 158 Gr light target load.
 
I load a homecast 158 swc over 5.0 grains of bullseye to shoot in a 6” GP-100 and it is a nice, mild target round. Love it and have fired thousands of rounds tumble lubed and haven’t cleaned the barrel in almost 5k rounds.
 
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