.357 magnum and the 3" barrel

[FullEffect1911]

I was thinking of loading up some loads for my gp100 .357 magnum with a 3" tube. I tired 13.8 grains of 2400 with a 158 semi jhp and they were boomy, a bit more punch then I wanted and burned very incomplete. I loaded up some unique with 7.3 grains and 7.5 grains again with a 158 grain semi jhp to see how they do. Will this unique load likely burn better? I know unique likes to be pushed to higher pressures to get a good burn.

So what load combinations have you guys found to work well out of you short tubed revolvers for the .357 mag?

 

[Doug b]

14.5 gr. 2400 wsp prime.Boomier, even more punch,burns clean,and very accurate in my 2" Smith.

 

[FullEffect1911]

IIRC I believe 14.5 is only .3 grains off the speer max. I may have to work that one up for my blackhawk. But this is the information I am looking for. Clean burning in my mind means the most efficient use of that powder.

I am also looking for some clean burning lighter loads to mimic Buffalo bore 158 grain lead swc-hp .38 +p loads to practice with in .357 mag cases.

 

[campbell]

I'm thinking of picking up a 3'' SP101, and am eyeing AA#9 for that short barrel. If you've got the latest Speer manual, check out the results for the 135 grain Gold Dot. Out of a 6 inch tube, AA#9 came in 4th on velocity. But when the same loads were ran out of a 2.5'' barrel, AA# 9 beat out both H110 and 2400 for the top spot.

4.5 - 5.0 grains of Titegroup under 158 grain lead SWC in .357 cases is a good plinker load.

 

[ricciardelli]

I have two favorite .357 Magnum loads.

Bullet: Sierra 158 Grain Jacketed Hollow Cavity
Powder: 14.5 grains of 2400
Primer: CCI-550
Case: Remington
Firearm Ruger BN-36-X, Ruger GA-32, Taurus 605
Velocity - 2-1/4" barrel: 1,147 FPS @ 15' from muzzle
Velocity - 6-1/2" barrel: 1.222 FPS @ 15' from muzzle

Bullet: Nosler 125 Grain Jacketed Hollow Point
Powder: 20.0 grains of H-110
Primer: CCI-550
Case: Remington
Firearm: Taurus 605 2-1/4" Barrel
Velocity: 1,584 FPS @ 15' from muzzle

 

[joneb]

I like AA#9 for 158-180gr jacketed for my 2.75 and 4" revolvers, #9 has been clean and accurate for me. For 140-158gr plated I like AA#5 and HS-6 for light .357 mag loads. Ball powders meter better than lg. flake in my powder throw.

 

[FullEffect1911]

Firearm Ruger BN-36-X, Ruger GA-32, Taurus 605
Velocity - 2-1/4" barrel: 1,147 FPS @ 15' from muzzle
Velocity - 6-1/2" barrel: 1.222 FPS @ 15' from muzzle

That's a pretty darn good velocity out of a short tube. It really doesn't seem to get much more velocity from the longer barrel. Is there many powder flakes left behind on the 2.25"? I would venture a guess that recoil out of the smaller gun would be at least stout.

AA# 9 beat out both H110 and 2400 for the top spot.

This is a pretty astute observation, good catch. I really wish my local gun shops stocked AA stuff.