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.