.357 Special?

I load down 357 sometimes. But always with in data though. Just use starting loads. Helps with brass lasting a little longer too.

5.0 gr of Titegroup with a 158 gr SWC for 357 lites.

I shoot a ton of 357 and the powder you choose makes a big difference. A full power 2400 load is totally different than 7 grains of unique. I love 8.4 grains of silhouette or 8.8 grains of true blue under a cast 158. Dont forget 38 +p either.

Remington Golden Saber .357s.

90% .38. Standard target loads mostly.

As I have aged, I do not care to shoot many full power loads any more.

For 357 Magnum, most of my ammunition is 158 grain SWC in a 357 Magnum case loaded to about 950-1000 fps from a 4” barreled revolver.

They are pleasant to shoot even in a 3” Model 60 J-frame revolver.

The last full power 357 Magnum ammunition that I loaded was about 15 years ago. I like shooting it in my 357 Magnum rifles. I’ve about used those up and it is about time to reload a few more max loads.

Hot-Rodded 38 special in a 357 Mag firearm can also hit a sweet spot for what I sometimes want with more efficieancy than mid load 357 Mag..

Use 357 brass and add 3 tenths to 38 Spl data no matter the powder or bullet.
And I’ve always liked 12gr of 2400 with a 158gr bullet for a nice easy 357 load.

wgp said:

I really like most .357 mag revolvers, and have several. But I really don't like the cartridge (flash, noise, kick). Compare the idea of the .44 mag vs the .44 special.
Do people just fall back to using the .38 special? Or have some of you found a hotter .38 or a reduced-load .357 you prefer, as an alternative to the full-bore magum or the traditional .38 sp?

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The .357Magnum was born from the idea of a .38Special with enough punch to defeat steel car bodies. There’s a whole lot of ink devoted to that evolutionary process and somewhere in all that are things like the .38/44, .38 Super Police Special, and some that never lasted past experiments. I’ll lay even money that somewhere in there’s the rounds you’re looking for.

6.2 gr Unique under a 158 gr SWC is a very pleasant load that you can shoot all afternoon from a K-frame and not get tired. Model 19, 13, 66… they all love the Patriot Pills!



Stay safe.

wgp said:

I really like most .357 mag revolvers, and have several. But I really don't like the cartridge (flash, noise, kick). Compare the idea of the .44 mag vs the .44 special.
Do people just fall back to using the .38 special? Or have some of you found a hotter .38 or a reduced-load .357 you prefer, as an alternative to the full-bore magum or the traditional .38 sp?

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IMO that's up to you. I have done both, loaded a .38 Special +P round in both 38 and 357 cases. Now I just shoot hot .38s or light .357s depending on what I feel like loading at the time. The .38 Specials are more useful in reality.

ArchAngelCD said:

Now I just shoot hot .38s or light .357s depending on what I feel like loading at the time. The .38 Specials are more useful in reality.

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Same here.

I've settled on 6gr Universal with a 158-ish gr cast as my "shoot it all the time" 357 load.
I developed a 158gr 38 Spl load with HS-6, that is full power - but not +p. Very pleasant to shoot in a full sized 38spl revolver; love it in the SP-101 and the Ruger 6's.

I'm just not much for the Sturm und Drang of the full house 357 any more. Honestly, they hurt my ears, even with muffs.

.357 is not only one of the easiest cartridges to reload, but has also one of the widest ranges of power. From mouse fart .38 special type loads to full blown wrist pounding ear drum shattering magnum.......and everything in between. Pick your flavor and enjoy.

Get a really fast powder with a light bullet and start downloading. I’d recommend a coated bullet, although you can stick them just as easy. Titegroup is a good powder to achieve this, but the recoil impulse is quite sharp. Clays and WST work really well for softer recoil. Good luck.

I've been saving my .38 brass from factory ammo from my pre-reloading days but have no plans for it.

I bought new .357 cases and use them for warm to mild, .38 spec level ammo.

.357 mag cases can be loaded to whatever you want.

158's over 3 grains of trail boss in 357 cases. sometimes it's hard to tell if you actually fired it.

I shoot out of a 1.8" LCR 357, I use 4.5gr of HP-38 with 158gr LSWC. Works fine, it's about the same recoil as the 38+P I carry for self defense. Though the only reason I use those is because they're factory, I'm thinking of just carrying with my reloads.

Why do people BUY and then first thing want to "load them down". For pity sakes just buy a 38 and quit fooling your self.

Jack Ryan said:

Why do people BUY and then first thing want to "load them down". For pity sakes just buy a 38 and quit fooling your self.

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Well, my only .357 handgun is a 1972 S&W Model 19. They were considered a “part time” .357 magnum, and only with 158+ gr bullets. I typically load .38 Special+P loads in .357 cases for the health and well-being of my revolver. A cracked forcing cone will send my beautiful deep-blued beauty into early retirement.

Try trailboss , it'll settle those loads right down.
Clays is another good option.
There's no harm in using the longer 357 cases to produce 38 sp type loads, I don't bother with 38 brass, it's just one more case to sort & separate.

The magnums were born from hot rodding the specials. .38 S&W (short) led to the S&W Long, to the Special, on to the Magnum and then Maximum.

.32 calibers are the same way, .32 S&3, up to .327 Fed Mag.

.41Mag, .44Mag, .45Colt are perfect for lighter loads, with a few full house loads, just too wake up.

Of course, shooters are going to load down to a more pleasant level. That is a part of why we reload.

I only use 38 Special cases.

Light loads use 5gr CFE Pistol or 5gr Titegroup with cast bullets.
Medium loads use 12gr Accurate #9 with plated bullets.
Heavy loads use 16gr H-110 or 14gr 2400 with jacketed bullets.

It took a while to figure these loads out. It was fun, and IMO, that’s what experience and knowledge can do for someone that takes it slow and proceeds with caution. Best of luck on your journey!