AMBASSADOR
Member
What 357mag choices and why.158FMJ,158SJSP,125FMJ,125JHP,125SJSP.Or any other weight class.?
357MAG Loads
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1911Tuner
Moderator Emeritus
For general-purpose use, I like 160-grain cast lead SWCS and either a healthy dose of 2400 or a mid-range charge of Unique...depending on the situation. The bullet isn't the ideal answer to all questions under all circumstances...but it'll do pretty well if you do.
For purely a defensive carry load...and in spite of the proven track record of the hot 125-grain JHPs...I still tend to move toward the heavier bulletted, less rambunctious stuff. The Winchester 145-grain Silvertip will give up very little to the fireball and concussion producing 125s, and it'll be much easier to manage and a little easier on the gun to boot.
Before Federal dropped the Nyclad 158 grain SWC-HP, that was my go-to factory .357 load for carry in a revolver. A soft, swaged lead SWC with a nylon jacket that expanded violently in soft tissue without disintegrating on bone. Again..without the high level of instant incapacatation of the 125s...but like the man said:
(Paraphrased)
"It'll do to ride the river with."
For purely a defensive carry load...and in spite of the proven track record of the hot 125-grain JHPs...I still tend to move toward the heavier bulletted, less rambunctious stuff. The Winchester 145-grain Silvertip will give up very little to the fireball and concussion producing 125s, and it'll be much easier to manage and a little easier on the gun to boot.
Before Federal dropped the Nyclad 158 grain SWC-HP, that was my go-to factory .357 load for carry in a revolver. A soft, swaged lead SWC with a nylon jacket that expanded violently in soft tissue without disintegrating on bone. Again..without the high level of instant incapacatation of the 125s...but like the man said:
(Paraphrased)
"It'll do to ride the river with."
burr00;
I've got a couple of loads I've used for decades.
Speer 125gr Gold Dot bullet, Winchester cases, CCI primers, Blue Dot powder. Speer max's this load in the current #14 manual at 13.30grains for 1333 fps in their S&W mdl 19 test gun. And, make no doubt about it, that a hard load, for a K-frame Smith. But, in a Ruger GP100, L-frame Smith, etc., it can be pushed to 1450 fps if necessary.
Another load I've had great luck with is the Speer 146 gr jacketed semi-wadcutter, again over Blue Dot, Winchester cases & CCI primers. The same caveat applies as to the gun you're shooting it out of. In a Ruger Blackhawk for instance, it can be propelled substantially faster than in the K-frame Smith. I get massive expansion with the ability to fully penetrate an 8" diameter pine log.
900F
I've got a couple of loads I've used for decades.
Speer 125gr Gold Dot bullet, Winchester cases, CCI primers, Blue Dot powder. Speer max's this load in the current #14 manual at 13.30grains for 1333 fps in their S&W mdl 19 test gun. And, make no doubt about it, that a hard load, for a K-frame Smith. But, in a Ruger GP100, L-frame Smith, etc., it can be pushed to 1450 fps if necessary.
Another load I've had great luck with is the Speer 146 gr jacketed semi-wadcutter, again over Blue Dot, Winchester cases & CCI primers. The same caveat applies as to the gun you're shooting it out of. In a Ruger Blackhawk for instance, it can be propelled substantially faster than in the K-frame Smith. I get massive expansion with the ability to fully penetrate an 8" diameter pine log.
900F
ArchAngelCD
Member.
When I was buying .357 Magnum ammo I bought a lot of 125gr and 130gr rounds because they were cheap. Now that I reload all my ammo, for use in my 4" S&W M686 I use:
158gr JSP or FMJ bullets or 160gr LSWC bullets for most target and plinking rounds.
180gr Hornady FP/XTP bullets for woods carry/hunting when carried with my Carbine.
173gr LSWC or 180gr LSWC Gas Checked bullets for woods carry without the Carbine.
For SD I carry Winchester 145gr Silvertip ammo in my 4" M686 or my 2" M640.
158gr JSP or FMJ bullets or 160gr LSWC bullets for most target and plinking rounds.
180gr Hornady FP/XTP bullets for woods carry/hunting when carried with my Carbine.
173gr LSWC or 180gr LSWC Gas Checked bullets for woods carry without the Carbine.
For SD I carry Winchester 145gr Silvertip ammo in my 4" M686 or my 2" M640.
1911Tuner
Moderator Emeritus
CB...I very much like the Speer semi-jacketed 146 and 160-grain SWC bullets, and I hope that they never fade into obscurity. Those bullets not only perform well, they're wicked accurate. Many times, I've gotten the very best accuracy from a revolver at ranges from 25-100 yards with one of those bullets than with anything else I've tried.
1911;
Yup, the 146 has been a sweetheart for me. Never felt the need to go heavier in the caliber either, I've got other stuff that makes the .44 magnum look like a weak-kneed bed wetter. But the 146 is outstanding in my book.
Like you, I'd hate to see that bullet fade away.
900F
Yup, the 146 has been a sweetheart for me. Never felt the need to go heavier in the caliber either, I've got other stuff that makes the .44 magnum look like a weak-kneed bed wetter. But the 146 is outstanding in my book.
Like you, I'd hate to see that bullet fade away.
900F
Seafarer12
Member
I stick with 158 jsp for general 357 loads. I go to 180 grain for hunting. I reload so I am not up on whats on the shelves in the store. I don't use lead with 357's. I load mine on the hot side and stick with jacketed bullets. I save the lead for 38's.
1911Tuner
Moderator Emeritus
Seafarer! You're missin' out on some fine revolver shootin' if you don't try cast bullets. Good ones will shoot rings around many jacketed bullets, and they're easier on the gun all the way around.
FWIW, my pet load is my own bullets, cast medium-hard, sized to .358 diameter, and stoked with 14.5 grains of 2400. Finished bullet weight is 162 grains. It's about a 95% top-end load that kicks the bullet out of a 6-inch barrel at about 1350 fps...and all the cleaning the barrel needs is a couple passes with a dry brush. Zero lead fouling beyond a light wash. Easier than cleaning behind jacketed bullets.
The best part is that...as long as I can get wheelweights and tin...and the furnace will melt the lead...I've got bullets any time.
(Approach any maximum load with all due caution.)
trickyasafox
Member
I just ordered a bunch of 200 gr to play with. My favorite bullet as of late is the 158gr LSWC. I have a custom LRNFP with 2 crimp grooves on order that should drop at 160gr that I think I'll fall in love with.
I shot a lot of 135gr LRN intended for a 9mm but left sized large. they fed great out of speedloaders and had very little recoil.
I shot a lot of 135gr LRN intended for a 9mm but left sized large. they fed great out of speedloaders and had very little recoil.
MCgunner
Member
For all around range and hunting, my old standby is 14.5 grains 2400 behind a 158 gas checked SWC. Carry, 140 Speer JHP and 17.0 grains 2400. Heavy load, 180 grain Hornady XTP and 13.8 grains AA#9 The 140 and 180 grain loads are white hot, the 158 is hot, but throttled back a tad for purposes of making a K frame last.
RobertFBurnett
Member
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- Dec 17, 2007
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- 415
^ Is the .357 180grain xtp load only sold as a reloading component? I have never seen it sold as a cartridge. That and big 180/200 grain hard casts are gonna get me into reloading this summer (cross my fingers).
MCgunner
Member
Robert, I really don't know if the XTP is offered in a factory load. If Hornady loads it, it's probably sorta wimpy, anyway. This handload is pretty close to the Buffalo Bore hard cast for velocity and the XTP is a VERY accurate bullet. Out of my SP101 off a sand bag, it can group 2" at 25 yards and out of my Blackhawk, 4" at 100 yards is not a problem if I do my part. It's the kind of load that makes the .357 a genuine effective medium game hunting caliber.
Snapping Twig
Member
- Joined
- Jul 7, 2007
- Messages
- 655
I shoot 3 rounds, all home cast from WW.
150g BBWC in front of 5g W231 in a magnum case. That's a +P Spl round and fun to plink with.
160g GCSWC (Lyman mould) in front of 15.5g W296. This is the standard round for this caliber. Hard hitting and accurate.
170g Keith (Lyman mould)in front of 15.5g W296. HO BOY! What a round! Laser accurate and I wouldn't hesitate to hunt with it. *
I use WSP primers and Star brass for all rounds.
* Warning - This round is safe in my pistol, YMMV, so work up slowly and observe all precautions and published data.
150g BBWC in front of 5g W231 in a magnum case. That's a +P Spl round and fun to plink with.
160g GCSWC (Lyman mould) in front of 15.5g W296. This is the standard round for this caliber. Hard hitting and accurate.
170g Keith (Lyman mould)in front of 15.5g W296. HO BOY! What a round! Laser accurate and I wouldn't hesitate to hunt with it. *
I use WSP primers and Star brass for all rounds.
* Warning - This round is safe in my pistol, YMMV, so work up slowly and observe all precautions and published data.
loneviking
Member
Carry load? 145 gr. Winchester Silvertips.
I to like the Winchester 145gr ST load. Its been extreamly accurate out of my 1894C and SW 28HP. Even for woods walking, I feel very comfortable with that load. If I'm planning a long day, I get out my SW 686 CS-1, as its a little nicer to my old back, but with the same load.
For hunting, anything 158gr and heavier.
For hunting, anything 158gr and heavier.
ArchAngelCD
Member.
1911Tuner,
I can't seem find the bullets you are talking about on the Speer Bullet Site. Can you tell me if I'm missing something or can you point me in the right direction?
Thanks...
I can't seem find the bullets you are talking about on the Speer Bullet Site. Can you tell me if I'm missing something or can you point me in the right direction?
Thanks...
1911Tuner
Moderator Emeritus
ArchAngel...I don't think Speer has listed that bullet in some time, but the last time I ordered any from Midway...they had'em. Check with those good folks.
I may have an empty box of the 160s around here. I'll see if I can get the Speer number and reply.
Be aware that none of the newer Speer manuals lists any data for the bullets, and due to the longer bearing surface...the same data for a bullet of similar weight/different design will likely result in too much pressure...so cut back about 5% from your max for that weight range and work back up. If you use a fast powder...cut it 10%.
FYI...Speer also made the same design for the larger calibers. Ther's a 220-grain soft point and a 200-grain hollowpoint for .41 Magnum...and a 240 soft point and 220 hollowpoint for .44 mag. All excellent bullets, accuracy-wise.
If you find data for the bullets...you can NOT go below listed minimum loads. The jacket will stick in the bore and the lead core will exit. Be careful. If you can't find any data, just avoid powderpuff loads, and you'll be fine.
I may have an empty box of the 160s around here. I'll see if I can get the Speer number and reply.
Be aware that none of the newer Speer manuals lists any data for the bullets, and due to the longer bearing surface...the same data for a bullet of similar weight/different design will likely result in too much pressure...so cut back about 5% from your max for that weight range and work back up. If you use a fast powder...cut it 10%.
FYI...Speer also made the same design for the larger calibers. Ther's a 220-grain soft point and a 200-grain hollowpoint for .41 Magnum...and a 240 soft point and 220 hollowpoint for .44 mag. All excellent bullets, accuracy-wise.
If you find data for the bullets...you can NOT go below listed minimum loads. The jacket will stick in the bore and the lead core will exit. Be careful. If you can't find any data, just avoid powderpuff loads, and you'll be fine.
ArchAngelCD
Member.
1911Tuner & CB900F,
Thank you both for the information...
Thank you both for the information...
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