357 Revolver Help

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hct4all

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Hi. I just purchased a Ruger SP101 with a 4.2" Barrel. It is my 1st 357. I already load 380 ACP 7mm-08 and 30-06.

There are a ton of bullet choices and I am kinda overwhemed by all the choices.

I will puchase Self Defense rounds.

I will need plinking and target rounds. 38sp as well.

What is the best value for components?

Powder reccomendations. I use red dot for the 380.

How about an occasional deer hunting load. Close quarters of course.

Thanks

Rick
 
For heavy loads I like Alliant 2400, it's more forgiving then H110. I've used it for bullets from 158 gr to 173 gr.

For plinking loads I like Universal. I used to use Unique but Universal just meters better so that's what I shoot now. Also a great for the .38 Spl.

I seem to use bullets of 125 gr, 140 gr and 158 or heavier more then any others.

The .357 is a very versatile cartridge.
 
Pick a coated 158 Gr SWC. It can handle full power loads for whatever, but will also shoot great for medium power plinkers and light target loads.

The 158 Gr SWC can do anything you need in a .357. Coated is a little more than lead, but no worries about leading for revolver beginners.

2400, AA #9, Enforcer, H-110, W-296, etc will work great for full power stuff.

Unique, W-231, True Blue, HS-6, etc, will work for medium power loads.

WST, Bullseye, Competition, Red Dot, etc, will work great for light target loads.

What powders do you have?

The .357 is a very versatile cartridge.
Click to expand...
Yes indeed.



Welcome to THR
 
I've used red dot with great success in 38 special. My IDPA load was a 125gr plated xtreme bullet with red dot, and my (informal) bullseye load was a Missouri bullet company's 158gr SWC, also over red Dot.
I'll double check my notes tomorrow before posting data.

I even played with small rifle primers with red dot when supplies were hard to come by.

If you can get it to meter well for you, or you weigh each charge with a scoop like I did its a nice powder that gets over looked in 38 special sometimes.

I prefer IMR4227 for 357 magnum loads. I might not get top velocities compared to 2400 and H110, but I've always had the best accuracy with it.
I do use 2400 since I've had better accuracy than H110 in my small sample size of a few guns and a few pounds of each. I most likely just never found the right combination of ingredients with H110. I know it has some quirks that I'm aware of.

IMR4227 has some of its own. But it's much less steep of a learning curve than H110.

I've got a decent stash of 2400 and have pretty good success with it, but still prefer that funky smelling IMR4227. But would say 2400 seems to be the easiest to work with and would recommend it for anyone loading Magnums for the first time. It's much more forgiving than H110, and there's more data than IMR4227 as well as 2400 having the velocity edge over IMR4227.
 
Last edited:
Walkalong said:
Pick a coated 158 Gr SWC. It can handle full power loads for whatever, but will also shoot great for medium power plinkers and light target loads.

The 158 Gr SWC can do anything you need in a .357. Coated is a little more than lead, but no worries about leading for revolver beginners.

2400, AA #9, Enforcer, H-110, W-296, etc will work great for full power stuff.

Unique, W-231, True Blue, HS-6, etc, will work for medium power loads.

WST, Bullseye, Competition, Red Dot, etc, will work great for light target loads.

What powders do you have?

Yes indeed.



Welcome to THR
Click to expand...
Very good advice right there. It's what I was going to suggest for the most part.

Since you already use Red Dot for the 380 ACP you can also use it for your .38 Special loads too with the above suggested LSWC or coated SWC bullet. I use H110/W296 for full power loads but any of the magnum class powders Walkalong suggested will do the job.

As for hunting deer with an SP101, I would not do it. While a .357 Magnum is capable of taking smaller deer I am more comfortable with a larger revolver so you can shoot a heavy load. Cast Performance, sister company to Grizzly Cartridges produces gas checked hard cast bullets with a wide flat meplat suitable for hunting. I like their 180gr bullet but like I said, in a larger revolver with a longer barrel.
http://www.grizzlycartridge.com/index.php?app=ecom&ns=prodshow&ref=CP38180
 
I have found everything but the Alliant 2400. Should I wait or what would be 2nd best. I think itvwould be easier to find the Holy Grail locally. Thank you
 
Welcome to the forum.
The 2400 has been hard to find as of late. This last shortage cycle is about over but the 2400 is still MIA for the most part--even on line were it used to be easily obtainable. One of the other propellants listed above with your intended use in mind will work well also. I have shot many many thousands of 158 grain LSWC/Red Dot loads at targets and had excellent results. For full power stuff I use H-110 mostly. The 2400 shines with longer barrels as the velocity is higher then. If you can find a pound of a recommended propellant locally for a reasonable cost, try it. If you are happy with the results Buy on line in bulk if you can justify the Haz Mat cost along with the Propellant cost in bulk. Add primers in and cost drops more. That is how I do it.
 
I use Unique for 3/4 throttle, and H110 for the full tilt boogie loads.

I have lots of the stuff, so I haven't been inclined to go try anything else. I'm pretty happy with them.

I used to like 4227 as well, but I lost my taste for it and don't use it anymore.

I've always liked Speer HPs. 125 and 140 gr
 
I know it's not a lot of people's favorite, but I've had good success with Blue Dot in a 357 magnum. I've shot a many a pound under a 158gr lswc. When loaded at or near max, it makes for a real thumper of a load.
 
Yeah I have used Blue Dot as well but if not full tilt loads it burns dirty. Keep that in mind. FWIW most any fast pistol/shotgun powder will work for a light 38 SPL target load with a 158 LSWC. There are many loads out there that will work.
 
H110/WW296 (same powder) isn't all that hard to use. It's a small grain ball powder and meters well. It has a narrow range that works well, but that range is in the manual/on the Hodgdon website. Do that and it goes.

If you do choose to use H110 for your magnum loads, I strongly recommend the use of a magnum primer. I've had failure to ignite when using it with 125 grain JHP and WSP primers (about 20% didn't ignite). It's 100% with WSPM.

*WSP = Winchester Small Pistol
WSPM = Winchester Small Pistol Magnum
 
Im with the coated 158gr lead crowd, i cast and coat my own. I use w296/h110(same) for general purpose full magnums. Lilgun for the screaming top end magnums. I use hp38/w231(same) for 38spl loads but your red dot should serve you well.
 
For plinking I load either 148 WC's or 158 SWC's from MBC, Universal or Unique.

For my .357 loads I use Hornady 125g or 158g XTP's and 2400 or H110

I seldom shoot the 357 mag loads
 
I like AA#5 for my heavier plated loads, bullseye for my lighter lead loads, I have used N320 for the plated loads. Also used HP-38 and W231 for lead loads when I use to have it. Probably a dozen powders you can use with the 357. I haven't used H110, not sure I like the full house jacketed loads.
 
When I had my 357 I used 158gr Swc and 2400 , also light target loads with trail boss ,
I even used xtreame 158gr plated Swc ,The SWC make nice round round holes
 
Save the 357 brass for full tilt loads. I like MBC 158gn SWC + AA#9
I use 38 specials for the powder puff fun loads. aa#2 and HP-38. These days I dont mess with mid range loads.

Also IMR4227 is great but it needs a longer barrel for max velocity. Its very slow for a short barrel handgun.
 
I just went through the same 38/357 startup process with a 3" SP101. Like you said, there are plenty options out there, but you have to start somewhere. I had some PIF help from a few THR members, which helped steer me in a certain direction.

For now I have standardized my loads using MBC HT coated bullets. I load the 10 Brinell 148gr DEWC and the 18 Brinell 158gr SWC.

The 148gr DEWC is loaded for powder puff 38special loads, using Bullseye.

The 158gr is used for 38special +P loads, currently loading Unique, and for my 358magnum loads. I am just starting my 357magnum load workup, but I will probably just go mid range and not full tilt since I only have range brass.

In a few months I will probably start working on a 38spl SD load. For this load I will go with jacketed bullets with plated for practice. Or I can stick with lead and maybe go with the old FBI load, and then I can load the SWC as my practice loads.

Time will tell which direction I will expand, but you can't go wrong starting with 158gr SWC and 148gr DEWC bullets as suggested by others.

Have fun and be safe.
 
I always hate to see reloaders getting started with relatively new and uncommon bullets, so I'll always suggest the age old standbys that have been around for decades. I don't do coated or plated bullets in general, and there is little specific data addressing those variables, so its something to play with after you've established a baseline.

148gr wadcutters - the go to light target load. It's really difficult for a bullet maker to make one that performs badly.

158gr SWC - Missouiri Bullet - 18BRN - I shoot these from cat fart level to full power 357 magnum loads, and they are awesome. Some guns may not like them that hard when loaded light, but mine don't care.

Your Red Dot will work just fine for the spectrum of 38 spl loads. It doesn't do well for anything beyond light magnum loads. 110/296 gives best magnum performance, but can only be loaded for full power loads. Unique get you almost to that level, and works through the entire range, though a little dirty at the low end.
 
My go-to powder in 357..158grn is 2400. I have lately tried BE-86 with good success. It replaced my Unique that I had finished. I have 8lbs of BE-86 and it seems versatile like Unique for many pistol applications.
 
Thanks for the replies. I have the Unique for now. Still looking at the magnum powders but I will start with the medium loads. I purchased 158 swc. Now as soon as my dies come .... on backorder. ughh
 
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