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357mag/158gr powder recommendation

A

alank2

Member
Joined
Apr 2, 2006
Messages
31
Looking for a recommendation for loads to work up. They will be fired from a GP100 - 2.5" barrel which I knows limits the velocity. I'd like to load mid-full power 357 loads. I plan on using Starline brass and Zero 158gr bullets. I have both CCI SP and some CCI SPM primers and these powders on hand currently: AA7, AA9, Blue Dot, Long Shot, VV 3N37, VV N340. I want some blast and a decent amount of flash. I could consider moving down in weight to the 125gr, but I've always liked the 158gr weight.
 
For mid to full Power economical loads, I like Power Pistol, but have since moved to BE-86 for slightly less flash and blast. (If you prefer flash and blast, Power Pistol is great!)
I have yet to try any Vihtavuori pistol powders, one of them might work fine. If you want upper end performance, Accurate No. 9 is great with the 158 gr bullets. I just like the Power Pistol/BE-86 powders that provide 90% of the performance with half the charge weight with good accuracy.
 
alank2 said:
I want some blast and a decent amount of flash.
Click to expand...
Blue Dot. Nothing wakes you up like flaming dirt.

The older Alliant loads are your best bet. Alliant bought into the SuperVel mystique hook, line and stinker.

index - powered by h5ai v0.30.0 (https://larsjung.de/h5ai/)

index - powered by h5ai v0.30.0 (https://larsjung.de/h5ai/)
marvinstuart.com marvinstuart.com

One of those will list the combo you’re looking for.

Quick reminder: the mods have asked us all very nicely to be considerate and not post copyrighted content. That’s why I’m linking to the download page instead of posting a picture of the loading data. The same manuals are available in paper from eBay and Amazon.
 
I did not have good luck with Blue Dot and cast lead bullets. For whatever reason, Blue Dot created leading. However it worked well with jacketed bullets, at magnum velocities. Blue Dot does not perform well at anything but magnum loads.

Of the powders you have, AA#9 is a great 357 Magnum powder.

Due to sticky extraction, I stopped at 12.0 grains with a 158 L bullet

Smith & Wesson M27 6 inch barrel

158 LRN Valiant 12.0 grs AA#9 CCI500 Mixed cases
5-Aug-06 T = 104 °F

Ave Vel =1278
Std Dev =34.98
ES = 117.4
High = 1344
Low = 1226
Number rds = 27

158 LRN Valiant 12.5 grs AA#9 CCI500 3-D cases
5-Aug-06 T = 104 °F

Ave Vel =1348
Std Dev =34.16
ES = 134.7
High = 1386
Low = 1251
N = 25

158 LRN Valiant 13.0 grs AA#9 CCI500 3-D cases
5-Aug-06 T = 104 °F

Ave Vel =1360
Std Dev =33.19
ES = 109.8
High = 1393
Low = 1284
N = 26

In a two inch barrel, I am very sure you will get fireballs!

You don't list 2400 or H110, both are outstanding 357 Magnum powders. 2400 is more flexible, H110 is magnum loads only.
 
alank2 said:
Looking for a recommendation for loads to work up. They will be fired from a GP100 - 2.5" barrel which I knows limits the velocity. I'd like to load mid-full power 357 loads. I plan on using Starline brass and Zero 158gr bullets. I have both CCI SP and some CCI SPM primers and these powders on hand currently: AA7, AA9, Blue Dot, Long Shot, VV 3N37, VV N340. I want some blast and a decent amount of flash. I could consider moving down in weight to the 125gr, but I've always liked the 158gr weight.
Click to expand...
If you want blast and flash go to a 125 grain bullet and W296/H110 or Blue Dot and you will get all the blast and flash you want
 
Slamfire said:
I did not have good luck with Blue Dot and cast lead bullets. For whatever reason, Blue Dot created leading. However it worked well with jacketed bullets, at magnum velocities. Blue Dot does not perform well at anything but magnum loads.

Of the powders you have, AA#9 is a great 357 Magnum powder.

Due to sticky extraction, I stopped at 12.0 grains with a 158 L bullet

Smith & Wesson M27 6 inch barrel

158 LRN Valiant 12.0 grs AA#9 CCI500 Mixed cases
5-Aug-06 T = 104 °F

Ave Vel =1278
Std Dev =34.98
ES = 117.4
High = 1344
Low = 1226
Number rds = 27

158 LRN Valiant 12.5 grs AA#9 CCI500 3-D cases
5-Aug-06 T = 104 °F

Ave Vel =1348
Std Dev =34.16
ES = 134.7
High = 1386
Low = 1251
N = 25

158 LRN Valiant 13.0 grs AA#9 CCI500 3-D cases
5-Aug-06 T = 104 °F

Ave Vel =1360
Std Dev =33.19
ES = 109.8
High = 1393
Low = 1284
N = 26

In a two inch barrel, I am very sure you will get fireballs!

You don't list 2400 or H110, both are outstanding 357 Magnum powders. 2400 is more flexible, H110 is magnum loads only.
Click to expand...
You know, I clean forgot to ask if he was talking about one of the jacketed bullets or lead. I guess I just assumed the JHP.
 
Zero 158gr JHP

I'm going to start with AA#9, but what charge to start with. Mentioned above was:

>Due to sticky extraction, I stopped at 12.0 grains with a 158 L bullet

The Hodgdon site shows:
158 GR. HDY XTP with a magnum primer, start 12.4gr (31500 psi), max 13.8gr (35000 psi).

Then I saw a midwayusa loadmap that shows the same bullet with a graph range that starting at 9.5gr (25600 psi) to 11.3gr (35000 psi).

Is there some inconsistency with this powder and load data for it?

(I know the load data for the XTP will be different than the Zero JHP), but still, what should I start at?
 
alank2 said:
Zero 158gr JHP

I'm going to start with AA#9, but what charge to start with. Mentioned above was:

>Due to sticky extraction, I stopped at 12.0 grains with a 158 L bullet

The Hodgdon site shows:
158 GR. HDY XTP with a magnum primer, start 12.4gr (31500 psi), max 13.8gr (35000 psi).

Then I saw a midwayusa loadmap that shows the same bullet with a graph range that starting at 9.5gr (25600 psi) to 11.3gr (35000 psi).

Is there some inconsistency with this powder and load data for it?

(I know the load data for the XTP will be different than the Zero JHP), but still, what should I start at?
Click to expand...
When you say, “the same bullet,” do you mean the 158gr XTP?
The bullet matters. Same weight is just one factor. Same seating depth, same jacket material, same profile, same diameter… those all matter as much if not more. Start low and work up is the Golden Rule.
 
There are differences in load data with #9 and other powders, too. The only way to know is to try it in your gun with your combination of components.
 
My .357 is a 3" SP101, a beast to shoot with full power loads, so I use low to mid power 158 grain loads with BE86.
 
I've got 3 of them. I'm not a stranger to reloading, but I don't have detailed knowledge about which powders work best with 357mag/158gr.
 
I'd suggest trying A#9 before buying another powder. I get faster velocity with #9 than with 2400 from a 4" barrel and 158 grain bullets. Bottom line, A#9 might be all you need. No need to spend more money if you don't need to.
 
fxvr5 said:
I'd suggest trying A#9 before buying another powder. I get faster velocity with #9 than with 2400 from a 4" barrel and 158 grain bullets. Bottom line, A#9 might be all you need. No need to spend more money if you don't need to.
Click to expand...
True, but in this case it is 2400 we are talking about. Try a pound, I think you are gonna love it.
 
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