357 Revolver Help

[CB900F]

Hct4all

Since you stated that you're going to buy .357 defense rounds, I'm going to presume that they're probably going to be using 125 grain bullets. I say that because of the studies that have been made that suggest that that is one of the most effective bullet weights for that purpose. If so, then for practice, I'd pick up a box of either the Berry's or Ranier copper-washed 125 grain lead bullets. Load them in .357 brass, to prevent the possibility of powder-ringing the cylinder, and I use 700X with CCI primers. Don't try to drive them at factory velocities, 4.5 or 5.0 grains is good enough for practice. I like the 700X because I hate cleaning guns & it burns clean in that use.

900F

 

[anothernewb]

I only use a 158 weight in my 357's. I use coated lead for the target and midrange ones, and jacketed for the strong stuff. I also use 2 powders. 231 for the target and mid stuff. 296 for the jacketed stuff.

not for any other particular reason other than to simplify bullet profiles.

 

[Hondo 60]

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

You think you're overwhelmed now?
Just wait til you get a load of us!

Opinions are like backsides - everybody's got one, some just stink a whole lot more than others

My personal favorite is 125gr Hornady XTPs over 16 gr of Alliant 2400, with an OAL of about 1.580"

 

[hct4all]

You think you're overwhelmed now?
Just wait til you get a load of us!

Opinions are like backsides - everybody's got one, some just stink a whole lot more than others

My personal favorite is 125gr Hornady XTPs over 16 gr of Alliant 2400, with an OAL of about 1.580"

Yep. Paralysis by analysis. . I want to make sure I get it right. Seriously you guys are very helpfull. Thank you.

 

[gotboostvr]

Sorry it took me so long to get back with Red dot data, but here's what I have;

38 special, mixed brass
125gr X-treme plated TCFP bullet
CCI 500 primers
1.45 COAL
3.9gr-4.5gr Red Dot
Taper Crimp
The 3.9gr load is light, but not so much that I worried about sticking a bullet. The 4.5gr very closely approximates a factory load. I used it to good success to knock down popper plates in IDPA with good hits high on the plate. No sticky extraction in a dozen different 357/38 revolvers.

Sorry I don't have any chrono data available.

It's a very clean and accurate combination all through those charge weights. I was very pleased with its performance.

I also used 2.8gr Red Dot under a 158gr MBC LSWC and a CCI 550 primer. It was comically quiet and light. Never stuck a boolit even in a 6" 686.

 

[mikey98e]

I just worked a load for my S&W 686+. I'm using 18.5 gr of 296 with a Hornady 140 gr XTP and WSPM primers. This will be my defensive load when we go hiking.
-mike

 

[2ndtimer]

Late to comment, but can't resist adding my two cents. I have loaded a lot of .357 Magnum rounds over the past decades using most of the available powders. Yes, decent target loads can be assembled with the Red Dot powder you have, not to mention Bullseye, W-231, Tite Group and Accurate No.2. And yes, Unique, HS-6, Universal, Accurate No. 5, Herco and others offer more versatility, and W-296/H-110, 2400, Accurate No.9 and the more recent Alliant Power Pro 300MP offer top performance, particularly with heavier bullet weights.
At various times I have used them all, but my most recent discovery during the extreme powder shortage is Power Pistol, specifically with some Keith style 170gr cast SWC bullets. 7.5 gr gives over 1150 fps out of a 6" GP-100, and just under 1000 fps from my snub 2.1" SP-101. Increasing the charge to 7.9 gr gets 1200 fps+ in the long barrel with excellent accuracy. It is my new basic .357 Magnum load for the Rugers. That particular bullet is just a little too long for the recessed chambers of my S&W Model 28, so I have to use the more standardized 158 gr SWC in that one. I am using up my old stock of handloads for that one. You might consider trying some Power Pistol for your mid to upper range loads for your SP-101.

 

[vaalpens]

At various times I have used them all, but my most recent discovery during the extreme powder shortage is Power Pistol, specifically with some Keith style 170gr cast SWC bullets. 7.5 gr gives over 1150 fps out of a 6" GP-100, and just under 1000 fps from my snub 2.1" SP-101. Increasing the charge to 7.9 gr gets 1200 fps+ in the long barrel with excellent accuracy. It is my new basic .357 Magnum load for the Rugers.

Thanks for sharing. Have you also tried cast 148gr SWC bullets with Power Pistol.

I like to try the non standard powders and have tried Longshot with some RMR 158gr RNHP plated bullets (thick plating). I have a few additional loads with a higher charge to test, but this following are the results I have seen so far. Testing was done with a Ruger SP101, 3" barrel:

357mag
COL: 1.580"
RMR, 158gr, HMRNHP, Longshot, 7.3gr, WSP
Average: 933
ES: 92
SD: 36.5
Force: 305
PF: 147
Velocities: 954, 920, 913, 894, 986


357mag
COL: 1.580"
RMR, 158gr, HMRNHP, Longshot, 7.7gr, WSP
Average: 937
ES: 108
SD: 45
Force: 308
PF: 148
Velocities: 893, 1001, 897, 959, 938

357mag
COL: 1.580"
RMR, 158gr, HMRNHP, Longshot, 7.5gr, WSP
Average: 947
ES: 126
SD: 53.2
Force: 315
PF: 149
Velocities: 873, 919, 995, 999, 953

357mag
COL: 1.580"
RMR, 158gr, HMRNHP, Longshot, 7.9gr, WSP
Average: 1007
ES: 78
SD: 28.3
Force: 356
PF: 159
Velocities: 1008, 1016, 962, 1040, 1010
Best grouping of 1.49" at 10 yards

Longshot performs better at higher pressure, so I anticipate that my next test loads with higher charges should show better SD/ES numbers.

 

[roval]

I bought a magazine recently 1 or 2 weeks ago from walmart. I think it was handloaders magazine that had an article on 357 magnum pet loads. I'll keep that magazine around.

I'm excited to try some of the loads . They have a table for light target loads including 148 wc in 357 cases which are supposedly more accurate than shooting 38 spcl wc out of a 357 mag gun, moderate loads classic loads for the older guns etc.... and lists a lot of different bullet weights and brands. I would buy that but of course I'm assuming you already have manuals. The cover is very retro as they have a copy of their first edition inside. It's their 50th anniversary.