Confirming .357 Magnum load please

[kestak]

Greetings,

My bullets are Zero 158 grains JSP.
I need data for Accurate #9

The accurate manual just gives data for the XTP and SWC. Could I go with the XTP data:
No. 9 13.5 (1293 ft/sec) to 15.0 (1470 ft/sec) pressure:44900 1.580" COAL

The Speer manual #14 says:
TMJ FN/ UCHP/GDHP/UCSP (Ihave no idea what those bullets are except by looking at the picture)
12.3 grains to 13.7 grains (1052 ft/sec to 1136 ft/sec)
COAL 1.570

I have another source that says for JHP bullets:
11.7 grains to 13.0 grains (The ft/sec is only available for the 13.0 grains at 1305) for a coal 1.58.

I found out the min/max is 1.540/1.590 for a .357 mag cartridge.

So, anyone can confirm of a min/max load in grains for accurate #9 and a max OAL?

I just does not want to make a major mistake. Better to be safe than sorry.

Thank you

 

[GaryL]

Not exactly what you're looking for, but this should be good for a comparison.

From Hornady 4th Ed.
Primer Fed 200, 158gr JHP/XTP & FP/XTP, C.O.L 1.59", AA #9 Min - 12.0gr (1200fps), AA #9 Max - 14.3gr (1450fps)

From Lyman 48th Ed.
Primer CCI 550, 158gr JHP, OAL 1.59", AA #9 Min - 13.4gr (1158fps, 32,900 CUP), AA #9 Max - 14.9gr (1357fps, 42,900 CUP)

160gr Linotype (bullet # 358311), OAL 1.59", AA #9 Min - 12.3gr (1123fps, 28,700 CUP), AA #9 Max - 13.7gr (1350fps, 41,800 CUP)

 

[Steve C]

This is the reason load manuals are guides not cook books with recipes.

First lets look at the maximum load listed for all the sources you looked at and it is 15.0grs so that should be the not to exceed limit with a 158gr bullet. Next look at the start loads and they vary from 11.7 to 13.5 grs.

If I was developing a load with a bullet not listed in any data I'd start with 12.2 grs, why, no good reason other than its below the hottest start load and a little more than the lowest one. I'd then load 5 rounds each of the following charges 12.2, 12.5, 12.8, 13.1, 13.5, 13.8, 14.1, 14.4, 14.6, 14.8 and mark the box so I knew which row was what load. Take them too the range and start with the lowest charge and see how they shoot. Look for pressure signs and stop if they appear. Use a lower load if you see pressure signs. IF you want accuracy select the best of the batch and then tweak it if desired. IF you want strictly velocity or a particular velocity then a chronograph would be needed to run each sample.

 

[joneb]

I agree with Mr C, I recently did what he described. The bullet I used is a Remington 158gr JHP with a canalure, and used small pistol primers for all test loads. I loaded 5 rnds starting at 11.8gr of AA#9 and then 5 of 12.2, 12.5, 12.8 then tried em out. The accuracy of these test loads was so so, the next batch gave better results x5 @ 13.0, 13.2, 13.5,and 13.7gr. At 13.7 case extraction was getting sticky but not stuck, at 13.5gr I felt this was on the edge for my 4" Colt Trooper .357 I settled on 13.3gr of AA#9 and I am quite pleased with this load in MY GUN. With a friends S&W m-28 he settled on 14.2gr AA#9, you need to work up your loads for your gun and components.

 

[kestak]

Greetings,

Do you use normal primers or magnum primers with the #9 usually?


Thank you

 

[rcmodel]

Standard primers always.

Unless:
You are loading slow ball powder like WW296 or H110.
Or the reloading data you are using specifically says to use Mag primers.


rcmodel

 

[Clark]

In 2000 AA was publishing 13 gr as a max load for 158 gr 357 mag.
In 2001 AA was publishing 15 gr as a max load for 158 gr 357 mag

To this day on their web site they call out 15 gr and say it is 44,900 cup
I don't know how many psi that is.
The max average pressure registered for 357 mag is 35,000 psi.

The max average pressure for 357 max is 40,000 psi = 48,000 c.u.p.

http://www.accuratepowder.com/data/...738Cal(9.2mm)/357 Magnum pages 100 to 102.pdf

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.
I personally have shot 16.5 gr AA#9 158 gr XTP in a light framed Colt Police Positive 38 special with 38 special chambers and 38 special brass, and found it to be ok.
17 gr., however, cased the cases to be sticky and hard to remove.


357 mag used to be registered for higher pressures, but John Berkovitz figured out why the change:
http://yarchive.net/gun/ammo/cartridge_expansion.html

Thinner steel chamber walls stretch more, and so stretch the brass case walls more, and so get sticky at lower pressures.