favorite 357mag accuracy/power load?

[_N4Z_]

Been trial and erroring quite a few .357mag revolver loads, lookng for best mix of power and accuracy. Something that shoots spot on, yet you still know your firing something with authority.

Anyway, want to zero in on the best mix to load up in mass for my 6 inch gp100.

I tested a few loads bout a month back at 25 yards off a sand bag.

14.5gr 2400 over 158grLaserCast did OK, and was POA.
6.0gr Unique over 158grSpeer LSWHP was also OK and POA.
6.3gr Bullseye over the 158grLaserCast kind of spread out on me, and hit a bit high.
7.3gr Unique over 158grRainier plated did the best. POA right on, and the print was 1-1/2 inches 5 out of 6 holes, with that last hole pushing the group to 2-1/4 inches.

Tomorrow morning I will be trying some 158grRemington SJHPs over 14.4gr of 2400.


So..... What are some of my fellow members preferences loading .357mag for accuracy, but keeping it in the magnum, or mid range power band?

 

[Mr.Revolverguy]

Becareful with the rainier plated bullet and the load you are using. Rainier will tell you to load to the same standards as lead and you will see others here that say keep them below 1200fps.

In 4 different manuals I show the max load for 158gr lead is 6.0 or 6.5 depending on of course which manual your looking at.

Now with all of that said my target load for 357magnum with Rainier bullets is 6.8grains of HS-6 which yields about 1011FPS average. The great thing about this load is the powder measure throws a consistent 6.8grains each and every time.

For me when I am looking for accuracy I am after consistency even within my reloading process. I learned this from my pops years ago, as he explained to me why all of his target rifle loads were done on a single stage press and his match 45acp loads on a single stage press. Now I know some are going to come in and say they can make them just as accurate on a progressive and I believe that you can in this day and age with advancement in technology. But one thing that has got better with progressive presses today is the ability to be more consistent.

I believe consistency is the key.

 

[Walkalong]

9.1 Grs N340 and a 125 Gr jacketed bullet. (Or 125 Gr Powerbond (only) plated bullet) It will be in the neighborhood of 1300+ FPS (6" tube) and be very accurate. Midrange plus load.

7.3 Grs Unique and a 158 Gr plated bullet (Powerbond or X-Treme) with a heavy taper crimp gives me 1050 plus FPS from 6" tubes and is very accurate. Medium load

 

[Mr.Revolverguy]

Walkalong I take it that it's safer to use jacketed data with Xtreme and powder bond? Not being a jerk just really curious because I have been thinking about giving them a try.

 

[TheotherMikeG]

I've had very good success with 14 grains of 2400 out of my 6" s&w 586. My 4" 19-2 really likes 7 grains of unique. Average velocities are 1258 & 1175 respectively.
***
Walkalong, I may need to re-chrono my Unique load after reading your fps from a 6" gun. Mine seems a little high by comparison.

 

[Walkalong]

Walkalong I take it

PM sent

I may need to re-chrono my Unique load after reading your fps from a 6" gun.

Maybe you just have a faster barrel

 

[Mark whiz]

here are my best loads, shot from my 4" Security Six:

158gr Ranier Plated flat nose 7.2gr universal clays 1109fps .61" group@15yd

158gr XTP 16.0gr Win296 1168fps 1.16" group @ 15yd

158gr Gold Dot 15.5gr Win296 1108fps 2.15" group @ 15yd

158gr LSWC 7.5gr AA#5 772fps 1.135" group @ 15yd

 

[Snowboy]

BlueDot 10,2GR - Rem 158GR JSP - OAL 1,592" - 1222 FPS - 17,2 SD - 2,121" @ 15yd - 1,50" @ 10yd

 

[Jeff H]

15gr of 2400 pushing a 158gr LSWC is what I am currently using. Shooting off hand in a couple of Rugers, it does as good as factory loads and packs a nice punch.