.357 load warm and fuzzy

[brainwake]

I loaded up some rounds a few nights ago. I pulled my recipe from Chuck Hawks website. One of the reasons was because I had the powder from loading .38 specials. But I wanted to bounce this formula off you guys and see what you thought about it.

Brass: Mixed brand, sized and Cleaned, primer pockets brushed, flashhole uniformed, trimmed, chamfered, deburred

Cal: .357
Bullet: 140 gr Hornady XTP (Jacketed Hollow Point)
6.5 grains of HP-38
CCI 500 primers

let me know what you think. This was my first .357 load. I have not shot them yet.

 

[Jim Watson]

It is below Speer's maximum (I don't have a Hornady book.) so will likely be a safe load.
But a fast powder like W231 will not give great velocity in a Magnum. Maybe 1000-1100 fps.

 

[rcmodel]

Perfectly safe and pleasent load.
Just a couple of tads over .38 Spl +P performance.
6.5 grains is a 1,200 FPS Starting load according to Hodgdon.
Max is 7.7 = 1,378 FPS.

You can get 400 FPS faster at less pressure with slower powder like H110/W296 or Alliant 2400 though.

rc

 

[brainwake]

I was trying to stay in the medium range too. Mainly because I am new to reloading and didn't want to start of trying anything near a heavy load. All of these rounds will go into cans and paper targets. I shoot a 4" GP100 and mainly just for fun.

 

[Paladin38-40]

Timing is everything

I see you are a new poster and reloader. Welcome to the forum and the satisfying hobby of reloading. Lots of experience here to draw from on most any subject.

None of my 6 reloading manuals list your powder for any .357 magnum load so I can not help you although I am sure someone here can.

I note you loaded the cartridges before asking about the load. Many buy a gun then ask is it any good. I will try to be gentle and suggest asking earlier. There is a lot of variation in what you find on the Internet so validating is a good idea.

 

[brainwake]

I agree. Good advice...and thats why I joined the forum.

For some reason I was wanting to use the same powder for 9mm, 38, and 357. I am learning that it's not worth it and I should just buy some other powders. Next time I load 357 I am going to look into some slower burning powder. Probably 2400.

 

[Seedtick]

I like it!

Probably 2400.

My favorite for 357.

Also my favorite for 45 Colt (Ruger Blackhawk) and probably gonna be my son-in-law's favorite for his new 44 mag Superduper Redhawk. We should know more about that after this weekend.

Seedtick

 

[suzukisam]

2400 and 296 great powders

 

[joneb]

I've loaded 140 and 158gr plated bullets using W-231 or AA#5 somewhere between 38spl and 357 mag. with very good results. I use a taper crimp and standard small pistol primers.