Anyone have a good Accurate #9 357 mag load?

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Seafarer12

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I picked up some #9 the other day and was going to load some Hornady 160's in a 357 mag. The max loads I have seen are all over the place from 11.5 grains to 15 grains. Anyone have a good load for a 158 grain jacketed with #9? I want something stout but not full pressure but considering the data I have seen I don't know where to start. I onlt have 100 of these bullets and don't really fell like wasting the whole lot on working up a load.
 
The current Speer Manual(#14) lists 158 gr jacketed bullets with AA #9 powder with a starting load of 12.3 gr and a maximum load of 13.7 gr. I would suggest you start with the 12.3 gr load and work up slowly a 1/2 gr at a time to you reach YOUR max load. Good shooting and be safe. :)
 
For me 13.5gr of #9 works well out of this Security Six w/158 XTP hp's, cases trimmed to 1.279"
reloading 010.jpg
This target was shot off the tailgate in single action.
 
Thanks guys, Hornady was saying 11.5, Speer said 13.7, Accurate was saying 15. I only have 100 of these bullets I picked up at a gun show. I just loaded some up at Hornady levels so I ought to have some light loads if people are using 13.5. I am using some questionable brass so I will keep these on the lower end. I will see how this batch works. I have 30 made up right now but I might make 20 more up and get to 12.5 grains and call it good. I will atleast get 50 made up at a usuable load. I figured I would make these up while I am waiting on my big order of bullets to come in.
 
13.0 grains of AA#9 with Hornady 158 XTP HP and FP with CCI500 primers shoots extremely well in both a 6" Python and Marlin rifle. Accurate Arms data uses standard and not the magnum primer.
 
Thanks that explains the difference in the charge weights. I didn't think there would be that much difference between mag and reg.

Well I loaded 20 more up to 12.5 We will see how it goes. I know I sure do like the way 9 meters in my uniflow. I am use to using unique.
 
I can tell you that 13.7gns of AA#9 pushing a 158gn Sierra or Hornady hp with a magnum primer through my 8" Dan Wesson barrel will make a bowling pin at 10yds. lift clean off the table and fly when hit square in the diamond. Through my pistol, it is a very accurate load.

-Steve
 
CAUTION: The following post includes loading data beyond currently published maximums for this cartridge. USE AT YOUR OWN RISK. Neither the writer, The High Road, nor the staff of THR assume any liability for any damage or injury resulting from use of this information.

AA increased their load of 357 mag 158 gr from 13 gr AA#9 to 15 gr in 2001.

I have shot 17 gr AA#9 158 gr in 38 specials and got sticky cases.

Max loads for 357 mag are supposed to be a safety margin below sticky cases.
When pressure measurement got involved, another error was introduced.

John Bercovitz on 357 mag brass


What does it all mean?
They developed loads at the limit of brass.
They estimated the pressure.
They registered the pressure.
They learned how to measure pressure better.
They reduced the loads to match the registered pressures.

This reminds me of a joke:
Why is making love standing up a sin?
Because it looks too much like dancing, which is a sin, becuase dancing might lead to making love.
 
When I first tried AA#9 in a Colt Trooper .357 mag. I started with 11.8gr up to 12.8gr. At 12.4grs the accuracy was the best of that batch, I was loading Rem. 158 JHPs with small pistol primers and the the primers were getting flat above 12.4gr. and at 12.8gr case extraction was not as easy. Then I loaded another batch 13.0gr to 13.8gr at 13.2gr the accuracy was better than the 12.4gr load and the primer looked like what I see with moderate .38 spl loads but at 13.8gr the cases were getting sticky. Then I bought a Ruger Sec Six and it shoots the 13.2gr load well, both guns like the 13.5gr with the XTPs. but at 13.7gr is were the accuracy drops off. Now I wonder if I should move into the 14gr realm :confused:
 
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