Favorite .357 Rifle loads?

[Dave Markowitz]

As the new owner of an EMF Hartford Model 1892 (by Rossi) in .357 Magnum, I'm wondering what those of you with .357 rifles like to feed them with. I'm interested in what you get the best accuracy with, whether factory or handloads, and what grain weight bullet you use for different purposes (e.g., defense, small game, and deer).

TIA.

 

[ChristopherG]

Yes--a timely thread! Just got notification that my Marlin .357 will arrive tomorrow--so pony up with the wealth of experience, guys! Terry Murbach, I'm lookin at you!
cg

 

[cratz2]

I'd be interested to see if many folks have developed loads using slower burning powders to get the most of the longer barrel... Or if it even makes much of a difference using slower powders.

I'd think that a good 180 Gr bullet at about 1,500 or 1,600 fps would do a pretty good job at several things if you could safely get that high with some slow powder.

 

[DAL]

I'm not too sure about loads for mine yet, as I've only used my .38 Spl. reloads in my Marlin 1894C mostly.

One thing I did notice, the hard way, was the extra velocity I get with factory .357 Mag. loads. While plinking with some PMC 158 gr. soft points, I shot a few rounds at one of my steel plate targets; the load dimpled it. That wouldn't have happened out of my revolver.

Since I don't plan on using this gun for big game hunting, I'm not too worried about topping out its performance. I'll probably take it camping with me, loaded with either some factory ammo or some 180 gr. reloads I cobble together, for feral dog/mountain lion/black bear (I know, that's pushing it) protection.
DAL

P.S. Lever guns sure are a hoot to shoot!

 

[Mannlicher]

My Rossi '92 likes Speer Gold Dot 158Gr JHP. Just loves them. 1.5 inch groups at 50 yards, no discernable recoil, and feeds like a dream.

I have tried a lot of handloads, and factory loads, but this is the one that shines for me.

 

[Dave Markowitz]

Thanks guys. I got a box of American Eagle 158 grain JSPs with the rifle. I think I'll use either 158 Gold Dots or hard cast 158 grainers when I start reloading.

 

[Byron]

Find an old Speer #10 manual. It has some good loads for the 357 in a rifle. I have a 94 Trapper and am pleased with the performance using this manual.

 

[boo586]

357 in a rifle

Let's see.... WESHOOT2 has a 180 grain load that will do about 1400 fps out of 4" GP100 so..... 1600 fps out of a 16 to 22 inch barrel should be NO PROBLEM with even less pressure.

Look at two powders. Lil-Gun and H110 or W296 with a 180 grain bullet should possible get up to around 1800 fps

Please note that the Remington 180 grain SJHP tha t WESHOOT2 has used has less bullet below the cannelure than the Hornady, Speer and Sierra 180 and 170 grainers, which allows for more powder volume.

Boo586

 

[Shooter973]

357 Rifle loads.

I use the same load that I shoot 95% of the time in my 357 handguns. That being a cast 150-158 gr semi wad cutter or flatnose, and 7 gr. of Unique. It should turn abaout 1400 fps out of my Win. Trapper. and this is plenty for what I want it to do. I only shoot 150 gr. bullets out of my 30-06 or 308's at mule dear so why shoot some thing heavier and that much slower out of a pistol cal carbine? I guess I just don't understand the fasination with "heavy" for caliber bullets in handgun cartridges.

 

[P95Carry]

Bit like shooter973 ...... I only ''brew'' one load ... and in my Win94 of course the velocity is way better.

Gas check Lyman hardcast 158 swc .... shoved by 14 grns of Vit N-110 .... not quite a max load but comfortable and groups very acceptably. This powder is I think close to H110 and not too different in burn rate from 2400 ..... cleaner tho.

 

[winwun]

Since loading is very "stuff" intensive, I have settled on one bullet for my .357's and .38 spl's and for hot 9mm's out of my Blackhawk .357/9mm wheelgun.

The bullet is the Winchester HBMJHP in 110 grain. It works well in a number of applications, and with 3.5 gr of Bullseye is good in the .38 spl and with 5 gr of Bullseye is good for the .357's, rifle and pistol.

A warning about the .357 rifles: try to shoot as little .38 spl as possible, for it tends to dirty up the front of the chamber and causes difficulty in subsequent .357 chamberings.

My .357 rifle is an old 92 that has the .25-20 x'ed out on the barrel and .357 stamped under the x's.

The bore is like chrome, and the thing is a tack driver at 50 yards with the downloaded .357's and the light bullet.

The load I use for hot 9mm's in the Blackhawk is 6 grains of Bullseye and the .357 bullet.