Which to buy first

Other powders for full power 357 loads that are much easier to find are ramshot enforcer and accurate #9. They are not near as versatile so get snapped up slower. 4227 is another one.

First order of buisness component wise is getting primers. You can find many propellants that will work OK with many handgun loads and many different bullets both jacketed and lead. Both do not matter if you have no primers. The same holds true with rifle rounds. Starting with a common handgun round that has tons of previously available data and threads to read before you jump in just works well. Get a handle on that and make good ammo first, then branch out to whatever. Rifle ammo takes more prep and tools to load in the long run and takes more propellant as well as heavier better built projectiles so costs more per round. Keep that in mind when starting out. And don't be shy about asking questions if a search does not satisfy you. We want you safe after all.

Small pistol primers.

While looking for primers, keep your eye peeled for Unique powder. It is an old powder but very versatile, usable in handguns, rifles, and shotguns. Ask if anyone has some for sale or trade. There are other versatile powders, but Unique has been around so long that every reloading manual lists loads using it. Until powders become more available, I would go with versatility.

https://www.grafs.com/retail/catalog/product/productId/28133 This is a bullet suitable for light to mid power .357 or full power .38 loads, and would be a good option to start your loading journey with. It's pretty much an all around standby bullet for this caliber and target loads, so you would use them up eventually even if it didn't turn out to be your favorite. 500 at aprox $50 shouldn't break your bank. Get 'em while they're hot!

Random 8 said:

https://www.grafs.com/retail/catalog/product/productId/28133 This is a bullet suitable for light to mid power .357 or full power .38 loads, and would be a good option to start your loading journey with. It's pretty much an all around standby bullet for this caliber and target loads, so you would use them up eventually even if it didn't turn out to be your favorite. 500 at aprox $50 shouldn't break your bank. Get 'em while they're hot!

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At that price it's almost as cheap as making them. I use a gas check that raises my price but those sure look the business.

AJC1 said:

At that price it's almost as cheap as making them. I use a gas check that raises my price but those sure look the business.

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That's why I don't cast my own. They're even less expensive if you order them direct in larger quantity direct from MBC.

Random 8 said:

That's why I don't cast my own. They're even less expensive if you order them direct in larger quantity direct from MBC.

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As a rule I try and only cast what's not readily available. My big push right now is the 180 sil bullet. The one you linked looks beveled on the base, easier for those not fully invested in the lead loading process.

Primers first because you need that size primer for the particular cartridge you want to reload.
Powder second because you can't make smokeless powder but have some flexibility in choice. Even if not available, you can find someone who powder they used for testing but don't like or use it.
Bullets third because you can cast your own. I collect lead from the range, acquired a free toaster oven and paint and have thousands of bullets ready to shoot. I live in CA and lead isn't permitted for hunting but Barnes bullets are still available. If you buy a swage die for an air pellet and buy and air rifle, you can skip the first two and you'll never have to worry about ammo for the rest of your life.

bsparker said:

I'm new to reloading ... and have reload data manual.)

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Memorize the book. Then when you're shopping you'll know the difference between what is preferred and what might still work.

I've loaded some recipes (from a manual, not a forum) that were less than optimal (ok, horrible) in "my" guns. But they did go bang and did poke holes in the paper... Never did like shooting them though and now I just wait until my preferred ones are available.

I can probably spare a pound of w296 for the 357. I have it listed with my 300BO listing, but I have 3 pounds and no real intention of loading it for 357 anytime soon. I could also sell 100 SPP at my cost (yesterday) $9. (I’m the local guy). Funny how we are go on the same forums seeking advice and knowledge.

And I bought a pound (9oz) of trail boss. I really don’t need it if you’d be interested in that as well. (At my cost)

Typically 357 is loaded with small pistol (non-magnum). Others can jump in here, but a magnum round doesn’t always mean magnum primer. But, your reloading book will give you what they used. The data in those books is more of a lab experiment. It lists the specs they used to test the powder, bullet, seating depth and barrel used. That’s why you start low - every gun is different.

bsparker said:

I'm new to reloading, bought the press and tools about a month before pandemic hit. What would you suggest I start buying first? Primers, Powder, Projectiles?

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IMHO... that's the wrong question.

If you are new to reloading then you should start with 38Special and stick with that caliber until you refine your process. That's a low pressure cartridge and it will suffer your mistakes much more easily, without doing you bodily harm. The primers, bullets, and to a great extent the powders are the same.... but 38Special operates at a significantly lower chamber pressure. You can shoot those rounds in your 357M handgun and add yet another layer of safety.

Hope this helps.

@bsparker and @blackd24 . The trailboss and a standard sp primer will make a low velocity target load in .38 and .357. H110 generally requires a magnum small pistol primer in .357 and is for performance jacketed loads. You will find published data for both applications at Hogdon. The cast bullet I linked above would be suitable for the trail boss powder. If you could find something akin to WST, HP-38, Unique, Bullseye, BE86, it would be a better fit, but the trail boss will get you started with good loads to develop your craft until additional components become available.

Wobbly knows his stuff. He has extensive data and information on the cz forum. I too bought a variety of powders and projectiles and thought I would just experiment and try all different combinations. Crawl before you walk. That being said, if you are detail oriented, can follow a recipe and work up, reloading is a very simple process. Measure, confirm, check and double check throughout.

blackd24 said:

Typically 357 is loaded with small pistol (non-magnum). Others can jump in here, but a magnum round doesn’t always mean magnum primer. But, your reloading book will give you what they used. The data in those books is more of a lab experiment. It lists the specs they used to test the powder, bullet, seating depth and barrel used. That’s why you start low - every gun is different.

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At the end of the day, you can use small pistol, small magnum pistol, and small rifle primers in any SPP handgun brass (same dimensional size). It will require some adjustment of powder levels as pressures will differ (although I've seen enough circumstantial evidence over the years to lead me believe the small magnums are basically equivalent pressure to the small rifle) and rifle primers may be too hard for some handguns to reliably fire. If you are shopping and the magnum or rifle is all that can be found during this current shortage, they are certainly better than going without. As noted you have to start low on the book recipes and work with your components.

*** Physical dimensions aside, this does not work the other way around! Pistol primers have thinner cup material and may not withstand rifle pressures!***

I'd suggest investing in a Lee Factory Crimp die. When I first handloaded, I had problems with reloaded pistol cartridges chambering because the case. The Factory Crimp Die not only can crimp but resize the whole loaded case. I never had chambering problems since.

I load .38, .357 and .45 Colt... along with 44 Mag/.44 Spl., .32 Mag, .41 Mag, etc.

Very Good lower-middle to upper-middle range hunting-target-plinking loads can be made with all three calibers you are loading for using Unique.

It really is a “Jack of all trades” powder; not always the fastest, not always the most accurate... but it works very well for almost anything you’ll want to assemble for your handguns to shoot.

Once you locate the .358 and .452 projectiles you want to shoot through your guns, I’ll just about guarantee there’s going to be a published unique load for them somewhere that’ll fit the bill.

Sadly, finding stuff right now is like spying the Leprechauns pot o’ gold. Be patient, buy smart and the components will be assembled before you know it.

Lots of info to be gleaned from here, lots of experience to guide you, too. Good luck with your quest.

Stay safe.

Good advice for you here, like CMB says search the books for OVERLAP powders that will match your
calibers, then AJC1 about the CASTING lead, that is very important now with 357 38 & 45 colt, I may have to reinforce
the floor under my loading room soon.
Good place here to find reloading info. A quick look at those revolver calibers, I use UNIQUE powder in all of them, but that
is just my overlap. But get primers first.

Riomouse911 said:

Very Good lower-middle to upper-middle range hunting-target-plinking loads can be made with all three calibers you are loading using Unique.

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Unique has been around for 100 years, so it's well understood and well documented. It's not the best metering powder out there, and it has other minor "character flaws"... meaning you can always find a modern powder that's "better". However, it does have one outstanding and rather endearing quality that novice reloaders really need.... and that is good "case fill".

The 38Special and 357Mag cartridge cases are so voluminous that the main issue for the novice to avoid at all costs is the "double charge". That is placing 2 powder charges into the same case before seating the bullet. Unique is so "fluffy" that the case will literally overflow with powder and thus alert the operator.

Don't overlook this built-in safety feature !

rfwobbly said:

Unique has been around for 100 years, so it's well understood and well documented. It's not the best metering powder out there, and it has other minor "character flaws"... meaning you can always find a modern powder that's "better". However, it does have one outstanding and rather endearing quality that novice reloaders really need.... and that is good "case fill".

The 38Special and 357Mag cartridge cases are so voluminous that the main issue for the novice to avoid at all costs is the "double charge". That is placing 2 powder charges into the same case before seating the bullet. Unique is so "fluffy" that the case will literally overflow with powder and thus alert the operator.

Don't overlook this built-in safety feature !

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Indeed. It’s not made like Trail Boss, which is extra-fluffy and reminds me of Apple Jacks cereal, but compared to powders like Enforcer or H110, Unique does fill a great deal more of the cases you listed .

Stay safe..

The first component you will use on the process is primers.