.357 Loads

[gwpercle]

My favorite 357 magnum loads , developed in / for my 1970 Ruger Blackhawk
158 gr. cast lead SWC w/ GC ( Lyman # 358156 ) sized .358" / Lithi-Bee lubed

1.) 7.0 grs. Unique @ 1089 fps .

2.) 6.5 grs. Unique @ 1010 fps .

3.) 5.5 grs. Unique @ 918 fps .

All three are accurate in my Ruger Blackhawk w/ 6 1/2" bbl.
Load #1 is my standard "heavy" cast bullet load.
Load #2 is my general purpose , do-it-all load with cast bullets .
Load #3 is my tin can and target shooting "fun" 357 magnum load .

I enjoy casting and shooting my own bullets so most of my loading is geared towards shooting lead .
I read a lot of Skeeter Skelton's writings and he was an influence .
Gary

 

[Barmcd]

Well, I wasn't really impressed with either powder through my S&W 681 with 4" barrel. I only made 6 rounds of each load and the ES and SD was pretty extreme. Really extreme in a couple of the Accurate No. 9 loads. That's why some of the velocities don't track with the load progression. It surprises me because I measured each powder charge to the hundredth of a grain. The good news is none of the cases showed signs of excess pressure. Some of the lower charge weights showed gas leaked past the case mouth. I didn't get to shoot the Accurate No.9 loads of 13.4 and 13.8 gr because I forgot to take them with me to the range.

I'm going to shoot the last two loads of Accurate No.9 and reshoot a few of the higher charge weights of both powders just to get better data. Then I'm going to try three other powders I have now, CFE Pistol, Tight Group, and HP-38. Later, I'll get a pound each of HS6 and 2400.

For reference, Remington Wheel Gun 125 gr 357 ammo averaged 1230 FPS over 6 shots.

Accurate No. 9 with 158 grain Hornady XTP
9.7 gr - 870 FPS
10.1 gr - 829 FPS
10.6 gr - 906 FPS
11.0 gr - 973 FPS
11.5 gr - 1027 FPS
11.9 gr - 1086 FPS
12.4 gr - 1152 FPS
12.9 gr - 1203 FPS
13.4 gr -
13.8 gr -

Hogdon H110 with 158 grain Hornady XTP
12.7 gr - 1002
13.3 gr - 1081
13.9 gr - 1140
14.4 gr - 1147
15.0 gr -1142
15.6 gr - 1198

 

[Barmcd]

Alliant powders have gone way up over the last year and are really hard to find in stock. Both 2400 and Unique seem to be out of stock everywhere in 1 lb containers and would cost nearly $50 if in stock. I found an 8 lb. container, but I'm not buying that much to try it out. I paid over $500 for the last container of RL-16 with shipping and hazmat. That made me decide to switch to H4350 after I run out as those prices are just crazy, even in todays market. I doubt I'll be trying 2400 or Unique.

 

[Walkalong]

It surprises me because I measured each powder charge to the hundredth of a grain. The

That won’t help, AA#9 isn’t going to give good ES/SD numbers at less than max, even then it’s not great.

 

[AJC1]

That won’t help, AA#9 isn’t going to give good ES/SD numbers at less than max, even then it’s not great.

I really like #9 and the numbers are not something to get excited about... not lilgun bad but it's the worst. My cast load of 13.7 shoots great and mid 14s for a 158 jsp is good. I hope to try it on a pig soon.

 

[Tall]

You do not want to use your own or anyone else's handloads for self defense. Those are strictly for use on paper.

Masaad Ayoob on why you do not want to use handloads for self defense.

These are pretty good:

 

[Barmcd]

You do not want to use your own or anyone else's handloads for self defense. Those are strictly for use on paper.

Masaad Ayoob on why you do not want to use handloads for self defense.

These are pretty good:

I don't know who you're talking to, but I don't carry a 357. I use Sig V-Crown in my 9mm carry gun.

 

[AJC1]

You do not want to use your own or anyone else's handloads for self defense. Those are strictly for use on paper.

Masaad Ayoob on why you do not want to use handloads for self defense.

These are pretty good:

This is not a reloading topic, but in the moment use what you have....

 

[GeoDudeFlorida]

Well, I wasn't really impressed with either powder through my S&W 681 with 4" barrel. I only made 6 rounds of each load and the ES and SD was pretty extreme. Really extreme in a couple of the Accurate No. 9 loads. That's why some of the velocities don't track with the load progression. It surprises me because I measured each powder charge to the hundredth of a grain. The good news is none of the cases showed signs of excess pressure. Some of the lower charge weights showed gas leaked past the case mouth. I didn't get to shoot the Accurate No.9 loads of 13.4 and 13.8 gr because I forgot to take them with me to the range.

I'm going to shoot the last two loads of Accurate No.9 and reshoot a few of the higher charge weights of both powders just to get better data. Then I'm going to try three other powders I have now, CFE Pistol, Tight Group, and HP-38. Later, I'll get a pound each of HS6 and 2400.

For reference, Remington Wheel Gun 125 gr 357 ammo averaged 1230 FPS over 6 shots.

Accurate No. 9 with 158 grain Hornady XTP
9.7 gr - 870 FPS
10.1 gr - 829 FPS
10.6 gr - 906 FPS
11.0 gr - 973 FPS
11.5 gr - 1027 FPS
11.9 gr - 1086 FPS
12.4 gr - 1152 FPS
12.9 gr - 1203 FPS
13.4 gr -
13.8 gr -

Hogdon H110 with 158 grain Hornady XTP
12.7 gr - 1002
13.3 gr - 1081
13.9 gr - 1140
14.4 gr - 1147
15.0 gr -1142
15.6 gr - 1198

Those

I really like #9 and the numbers are not something to get excited about... not lilgun bad but it's the worst. My cast load of 13.7 shoots great and mid 14s for a 158 jsp is good. I hope to try it on a pig soon.

That won’t help, AA#9 isn’t going to give good ES/SD numbers at less than max, even then it’s not great.

Ditto for H110. Those loads are at start or below. I’m not a huge fan of H110 because it’s too flashy for hunting and I’m not interested in fireball games but it is the tops for velocity and accuracy - but it does not perform well at low pressure.

 

[.45Coltguy]

OP mentioned "Goldilocks loads". Well, my Goldilocks load for .357 is 11.5gr 2400 under a 180gr coated rnfp bullet for my Henry rifle. Excellent load.
A bit sporty in my Blackhawk, but, not really harsh.

 

[Walkalong]

Somewhere between mama bear and papa bear loads?

My Goldilocks load is WST or Competition under a 158 for 700/750ish fps.

 

[GeoDudeFlorida]

Somewhere between mama bear and papa bear loads?

My Goldilocks load is WST or Competition under a 158 for 700/750ish fps.

I want something in the Goldilocks range, adequate velocity so you can tell you're shooting a .357, not 38 special, but not so much that its too snappy to shoot regularly.

I'm thinking 700-750fps-ish is more .38Spl. If Goldilocks was dating Dirty Harry, I suspect her "357 Light Special Magnum" would probably be a 125gr. XTP over 19.0gr. of H110/W296.

I used to get around 1300fps according to my original Chrony F1 from a 6" Colt Python with that load using the old Speer lead-top 125gr. JSP and didn't worry about beating up the timing hand or flame-cutting the top strap. I quit using it when I got a good look at the forcing cones and cylinder faces of my Colts and saw the erosion a steady diet of H110 was causing. No problem with the Ruger Blackhawk or 10" T/C barrel, just the three Colts I shot those loads in. Very accurate and it didn't beat me up bad at all. Lots of flame and air burst though. Not nice at dusk/dawn.

 

[Walkalong]

His Goldilocks is my midrange load. She’s tougher in his neck of the woods.

All three of mine are “just right” for me in their respective power levels.

 

[Bronco72]

I am old school! All in mag. cases. All 158 gr. SWC or 158 gr jacketed.
Light load 3.5 to 4 gr Bullseye or WST
Heavy load 2400 max in what the reloading manual says. What I like about 2400 powder is you can reduce the loads if you want to. Has worked for over 50 years for me good enough to not feel the need to try new powders. OH yeah. I gots lot of powder and cast my own

 

[Barmcd]

I'm thinking 700-750fps-ish is more .38Spl. If Goldilocks was dating Dirty Harry, I suspect her "357 Light Special Magnum" would probably be a 125gr. XTP over 19.0gr. of H110/W296.

I used to get around 1300fps according to my original Chrony F1 from a 6" Colt Python with that load using the old Speer lead-top 125gr. JSP and didn't worry about beating up the timing hand or flame-cutting the top strap. I quit using it when I got a good look at the forcing cones and cylinder faces of my Colts and saw the erosion a steady diet of H110 was causing. No problem with the Ruger Blackhawk or 10" T/C barrel, just the three Colts I shot those loads in. Very accurate and it didn't beat me up bad at all. Lots of flame and air burst though. Not nice at dusk/dawn.

I load 38 Special to 900 FPS using 125 gr copper plated Berry's Bullets and Accurate No 5. I wasn't sure what velocity to aim for with 158 gr 357 loads, that's what prompted the question. After loading two different powders, I'm leaning toward loading for just less than 1200 FPS. I can still use Berry's or Xtreme plated bullets at that velocity. I have some 125 grain Zero jacketed soft point bullets that I can load for higher velocities.

 

[AJC1]

I load 38 Special to 900 FPS using 125 gr copper plated Berry's Bullets and Accurate No 5. I wasn't sure what velocity to aim for with 158 gr 357 loads, that's what prompted the question. After loading two different powders, I'm leaning toward loading for just less than 1200 FPS. I can still use Berry's or Xtreme plated bullets at that velocity. I have some 125 grain Zero jacketed soft point bullets that I can load for higher velocities.

Back in the old days they were getting around 1500fps with a 158. That's smoking. I get 1100 with a cast 170 pretty easy...

 

[Barmcd]

Back in the old days they were getting around 1500fps with a 158. That's smoking. I get 1100 with a cast 170 pretty easy...

I have no idea how they can get that velocity with a 158 gr bullet.

 

[Walkalong]

Back in the old days they were getting around 1500fps with a 158. That's smoking.

That's more than smoking...........

 

[GeoDudeFlorida]

That's more than smoking...........

He didn’t say what it was smoking.

 

[AJC1]

I have no idea how they can get that velocity with a 158 gr bullet.

How about a standard pressure limit of 45000cup vs 35kpsi. The reduction in the 1990s was big. If you use cip data you'll be closer.

 

[AJC1]

D37.2 is shooters world heavy pistol... a slower powder would give less pressure and more speed .

 

[GeoDudeFlorida]

How about a standard pressure limit of 45000cup vs 35kpsi. The reduction in the 1990s was big. If you use cip data you'll be closer.

Sierra says 16gr of Enforcer will send their 158gr JHC 1530fps from a 5-2/3” barrel. I don’t doubt they got that from a universal receiver in the lab but from a real 6” handgun I would expect closer 1450-1475 or thereabouts. Under 1500fps. But from a 10” Contender? Seems do-able.

 

[AJC1]

Sierra says 16gr of Enforcer will send their 158gr JHC 1530fps from a 5-2/3” barrel. I don’t doubt they got that from a universal receiver in the lab but from a real 6” handgun I would expect closer 1450-1475 or thereabouts. Under 1500fps. But from a 10” Contender? Seems do-able.

I like cases that either fall out or just push out easy. I run up in .2 grain increments. If they require more than a little push I stop. The owner of these guns demands they make 5th generation of ownership

 

[fxvr5]

Back in the old days they were getting around 1500fps with a 158. That's smoking. I get 1100 with a cast 170 pretty easy...

I have no idea how they can get that velocity with a 158 gr bullet.

The old published factory velocities were originally from 8 3/4" and 8 3/8" barrels. Today, published factory speeds are from 4" barrels.

How about a standard pressure limit of 45000cup vs 35kpsi. The reduction in the 1990s was big. If you use cip data you'll be closer.

Those are today's pressure standards. CUP and PSI are different methods and can reach very different values with the exact same ammo.

https://saami.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/SAAMI-Z299.3-2022-Centerfire-Pistol-Revolver-Approved-12-13-2022.pdf

A recent article in Shooting Times showed that todays factory 357 Magnum ammo is still as potent as the original stuff, and might be faster.

 

[AJC1]

The old published factory velocities were originally from 8 3/4" and 8 3/8" barrels. Today, published factory speeds are from 4" barrels.





Those are today's pressure standards. CUP and PSI are different methods and can reach very different values with the exact same ammo.

https://saami.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/SAAMI-Z299.3-2022-Centerfire-Pistol-Revolver-Approved-12-13-2022.pdf

A recent article in Shooting Times showed that todays factory 357 Magnum ammo is still as potent as the original stuff, and might be faster.

There is zero chance new loads are faster. There hasn't been a major revolution in pistol powders like there has been in rifle.... superformance, and leverrevolution has boosted velosity to unimaginable levels in rifles, and I'm sure there are others. Lil gun might be faster in a carbine but no major difference in pistols....