Almost full power 357 mag powder? 158 gr.

[mikle76]

I'm looking into getting back into reloading but on a much simpler basis this time! What do you guys like in a 357 loaded with 158 grainers that is medium heavy in power. I'm thinking AA7 or HS-6 something in that line but what about Unique as it is so versatile. Thanks for the help.

 

[MMCSRET]

SR 4756 is an excellent mid to full power powder. clean burning and meters extremely smoothly and uses standard primers.

 

[rcmodel]

6.0 grains Unique with a lead bullet = 1,034 FPS in a 6" barrel.

8.0 grains with a Jacketed bullet = 1,150 FPS.

Both are great loads.

rcmodel

 

[Galil5.56]

Unique would be an OUTSTANDING choice. 6-6.2 grains of it behind a 158 LSWC should do just what you are looking for. I have used HS-6 in .38 Special +P loadings and although they work OK, I much prefer Unique for it's ease of ignition, and better load density.

 

[XD-40 Shooter]

I was gonna say Blue Dot, because 10 grains behind a 158 JHP gives me 1100-1150 fps, but if you can do that with 8 grains of Unique, then that's the way to go.

 

[44Magnum]

What sources are recommending 8 grains of Unique? Mine go up to 7.7 as an absolute max for the 158 grain JHP. I'm new to all of this, thanks.

 

[Sport45]

8gr of Unique sounds reasonable for a 158gr JHP. My Lyman Pistol and Revolver handbook lists 6.4gr at 887fps and 18,900 CUP as minimum and 8.3gr at 1185fps and 38,300 CUP as maximum.

If you want some real power look at H-110 (W296) or AA#9. I like W296 for magnum loadings. But that accounts for less than 1% of my shooting.

 

[joneb]

I've had good results with AA#7 for 158gr jacketed in .357mag w/WSP my best accuracy was with 10.2gr of #7, I mostly use AA#9 with these bullets in my Ruger Security Six w/a 2.75" barrel.
I'm taking a break from Unique because it did not meter well in my powder throw, I replaced it with AA#5. If I were looking for a new medium/slow powder I would give VV-340 or Power pistol a try.

 

[Seafarer12]

My idea of almost full power is 14 grains of 2400. Unique is my idea of low power 357 plinkers.

 

[loneviking]

Unique is a low power, plinker powder?

Seriously, Unique is an excellent, all around choice. I do prefer Lil' Gun for jacketed loads as this gives lower CUP pressures, but excellent velocity. Still, I use Unique as my 'all around' powder.

 

[DMZ]

My favorite 158 gr load is a XTP over 15.2 grains of H110. I can shoot it comfortably in a small frame snubbie, and it is very easy to shoot in a medium frame, like a GP100. Not a max load, but still has plenty of uhmph.

 

[ArchAngelCD]

mikle76,
IMO HS-6 is a great powder because it generated good velocity with relatively low pressures, it's accurate, clean and low flash. What's not to like? I especially like it because it's very accurate when loading lead bullets but works very well with jacketed bullets too. If you're loading only jacketed bullets Longshot wouldn't be a bad choice either.

 

[Ben Shepherd]

ALMOST full power?

Blue dot, AA#5, and vit 3n37 come to mind.

 

[Envisaged]

Lil gun. I will have to check how many grains for the 158. I use 14.8gr under a 180 laser cast lead round. Even better out of a levergun.

 

[.38 Special]

Alliant 2400 is the only powder I use in the .357 anymore. 12.5 grains gives a pleasant load and is easy on the Smith model 19s. A bit past 15 grains gives a safe maximum in other guns. If I want lower velocities than 12.5 grains, I just switch to the .38 Special.

 

[Envisaged]

Just checked max load for 'lil gun is 18.0gr for a 158 Hornady XTP. 1577FPS measured with a 10" barrel.

BTW - you must use magnum primers. I have tried with normal small pistol and it is not enough to burn all the charge. Very dirty.

 

[buck460XVR]

Just checked max load for 'lil gun is 18.0gr for a 158 Hornady XTP. 1577FPS measured with a 10" barrel.

yep....and the starting load of 16 grns. makes for a nice "almost full power" load.