357Mag starting load?

[02bigdogs17]

Just doing some research because some of my books have conflicting info. How many grains of powder would you start with for these 3 loads?
1. 158gr cast LRN with Unique?
2. 158gr cast LRN with 2400?
3. 158gr cast LRN with Titegroup?
All for .357Mag they will be fired through a S&W 686 6"
Thanks for you help.

 

[Kosh75287]

Consult the online manuals for the manufacturers. It's your best bet. The loads I'VE been using for 25+ years seem to be getting hotter and hotter with every new set of reloading data.

The first reloading manual I ever used (1970 Vintage Lyman) recommended 8.0/Unique/158SWC as a max load, and I'VE used 7.2/Unique/158SWC in the same firearm since 1982. NOW, Alliant recommends 7.7/Unique/158SWC as max. The load I'VE used for 25 years is NOW about midway through the incremental progresssion toward the max load, yet STILL shoots shoots the same way it always has. Beats ME....

 

[jim8115]

13.5 - 14.0 2400

 

[moxie]

If those books are fairly current reloading manuals, then use any of them. The differences you note come from different barrel lengths, different measuring techniques, etc., etc. Just pick the manual you like and go from there. I usually start with the one that calls for the least amount of powder to start with. Hey, I'm cheap.

 

[Schwing]

You are getting conflicting info because no two reloading manuals use the exact bullet, primer, etc. I always use at least 3 reloading manuals and start at the very lightest load for the type (lead, jacketed or plated) and weight.

Here are my starting loads. I have not done any 158 LSWCs with titegroup. Bear in mind that you MUST verify all load data yourself against published data!

Unique 4.5
2400 12

 

[Jesse Heywood]

Use the unique or 2400. Titegroup is too fast for magnum loads.

 

[243winxb]

158gr cast LSWC with 2400 13.0 gr. is my load. Start a little lower.

 

[ljnowell]

158 grain cast with 2400 I would start and end at 14.5 grains. It's a classic load that's very popular.

 

[joneb]

I would load for 357 mag. standard primers for cast 158gr lrn, ? BHN start at 6.5gr of Unique, with 2400 start at 12.5gr

 

[1911Tuner]

1. 158gr cast LRN with Unique? 6.5 grains. I don't go any higher than 7.5 grains.


2. 158gr cast LRN with 2400? 13.0 grains with a 14.5 maximum.
I wouldn't go any higher than 13.5 in a Smith K-Frame except for occasional "need" based use.

You can go as high as 15.2 grains of 2400 for large-framed guns like the Smith N-Frame and the New Model Blackawk...but it's a top-end load that duplicates the original .357 levels. Approach it cautiously and don't shoot it in a K-Frame other than occasions where maximum power is needed. I also strongly advise against using it with jacketed bullets. Gas checked is okay.

The standard disclaimer:

This data is only to be used in modern revolvers of known good quality and mechanical condition. Approach maximums with all due caution.

 

[ljnowell]

1. 158gr cast LRN with Unique? 6.5 grains. I don't go any higher than 7.5 grains.


2. 158gr cast LRN with 2400? 13.0 grains with a 14.5 maximum.
I wouldn't go any higher than 13.5 in a Smith K-Frame except for occasional "need" based use.

You can go as high as 15.2 grains of 2400 for large-framed guns like the Smith N-Frame and the New Model Blackawk...but it's a top-end load that duplicates the original .357 levels. Approach it cautiously and don't shoot it in a K-Frame other than occasions where maximum power is needed. I also strongly advise against using it with jacketed bullets. Gas checked is okay.

The standard disclaimer:

This data is only to be used in modern revolvers of known good quality and mechanical condition. Approach maximums with all due caution.

I wouldn't be afraid to shoot the 14.5 grain 2400 load in a k frame. I've put several thousand of them through one of my model 19s(probably 10k or do). It's still tight as the day I bought it. I wouldn't go any hotter though.

 

[02bigdogs17]

Loaded some today with 12gr and 12.5gr of 2400 and they fired good and accuracy was pretty good at 25yds but the load seemed pretty weak. I don't have a chrono yet but I am going to load some at 13gr and try them. Thanks for the info guys.

 

[joneb]

loaded some today with 12gr and 12.5gr of 2400 and they fired good and accuracy was pretty good at 25yds but the load seemed pretty weak.

View attachment Scan_Doc0044.pdf
From Speer #7

 

[Twiki357]

My preferred load for 357 is 14.0 to 14.5 of 2400.

 

[ArchAngelCD]

Loaded some today with 12gr and 12.5gr of 2400 and they fired good and accuracy was pretty good at 25yds but the load seemed pretty weak. I don't have a chrono yet but I am going to load some at 13gr and try them. Thanks for the info guys.

Those charges are light for a .357 Magnum. Was there a lot of unburnt powder since the pressures were on the low side. I usually won't load less than 13.5gr 2400 under a 158gr LSWC in a .357 Magnum case and and to put @14.5gr 2400. Starting @13.0gr is fine since that is 10% below the 14.5gr charge weight.

 

[ljnowell]

Those charges are light for a .357 Magnum. Was there a lot of unburnt powder since the pressures were on the low side. I usually won't load less than 13.5gr 2400 under a 158gr LSWC in a .357 Magnum case and and to put @14.5gr 2400. Starting @13.0gr is fine since that is 10% below the 14.5gr charge weight.

We had a poll here once and we found that of people using 2400 and 158 grain lead it was an amazing amount of people using that 14.5 grain load. It's truly a classic that's been around a long time. Still my favorite.

 

[02bigdogs17]

Well I loaded some at 13.5gr and 14.0gr and fired them yesterday. The 14 gr load started feeling more like a mag load and it performed very well. I was hitting 3 and 4" targets every time at 50 yds. I have seen no signs of pressure problems and even though I think I like the 14gr load I think I am going to load up some 14.5 gr loads and try them. To answer the question of weather I had any unburnt powder or residue behind when I was shooting the 12gr loads the answer is no they fired excellent and burned clean. Thank you very much for All the info and I'll let you know how it comes out with the next loads.

 

[ljnowell]

Well I loaded some at 13.5gr and 14.0gr and fired them yesterday. The 14 gr load started feeling more like a mag load and it performed very well. I was hitting 3 and 4" targets every time at 50 yds. I have seen no signs of pressure problems and even though I think I like the 14gr load I think I am going to load up some 14.5 gr loads and try them. To answer the question of weather I had any unburnt powder or residue behind when I was shooting the 12gr loads the answer is no they fired excellent and burned clean. Thank you very much for All the info and I'll let you know how it comes out with the next loads.

I bet you really like the 14.5 load.

 

[Shooter973]

357 load

My most used load in 357 is a cast bullet of between 150-158 gr.with 7 gr. of Unicue. Powerful enough to feel like a true magnum load, but not brutal.
I use this load for 95 percent of my 357 shooting. Not the cleanest load,, but it cleans up easily. Just wipe down the gun with a rag. Somewhat smokey but that's cast bullets regardless of powder.
One of the primary reasons I use/ like this loads it shoots exactly to the fixed sights on my 3 inch GP100. And it's very economical, 1000 round per pound of powder. Works well in my 357 lever action rifle also.

 

[Kosh75287]

SHOOTER 973, you and I use similar loads in .357 Mag. I don't know how heavy the crimp is on your reloads, but I've noticed that heavier crimps on loads in which I use Unique usually results in cleaner burning. If your crimp is on the light side, you might consider turning the die down 1/8 or 1/4 turn, and see if things don't clean up a little bit. NO amount of tinkering with it will make Unique "ultra-clean" like some powders, but I think it gets its undeserved "Flaming Dirt" reputation from low-powered loads, with light bullets and light crimps. Change any or all three, and lots of the "dirty burn" problems go away. Anyway, if you try it, I'd like to know what you think.

 

[Armored farmer]

1. 158gr cast LRN with Unique? 6.5 grains. I don't go any higher than 7.5 grains.

6.2gr Unique is my target load. Very accurate, mild load for all my .357s from the sp101 to the carbine.

 

[Stormin.40]

Like others, a Lead 158 gr bullet with 2400 in 357 magnum I like 14.0gr. Feels like a magnum load, I worked up to this from 13.0gr and it is extremely accurate.

I wouldn't use Titegroup for true 357 magnum loads but have and do use it for light .38 special loads that I use for new shooters in a 357 magnum revolver.