Good load for 158 gr 357 ?

[jski]

I’m reloading 357 rounds using Berry’s plated bullets in the classic 158 gr. I looked at Alliant’s website for Unique and saw charges ranging from 6 to 7.7 grains of powder for 158 gr bullets of various ilks, none of which are fully jacketed/plated?

6 gr for 158 gr Speer LSWC
7.7 gr for 158 gr Speer GDHP

Suggestions for Unique loads for 158 gr Berry’s bullets?

BTW, I’m looking for a charge that pushes these bullets at around 1100 fps.

 

[Obturation]

I like 2400 for 158 grain 357s.

 

[forrest r]

You didn't say what bbl length your using that 158gr/unique combo in.

1100fps is very doable. I'm running a 120fps 158gr load in a 2 1/2" bbl'd 357 using 2400.

When you get near the top end loads with unique pressures spike real fast.

FWIW:
The 2005 alliant reloading manual is what I consider their last "great" manual that lists a lot of bullets with pressures. From that 2005 manual.
bbl length 5.6" MINIMUM OAL 1.575" 158gr jacketed bullet 7.8gr of unique MAX 1280fps 33,200psi
bbl length 5.6" MINIMUM OAL 1.58" 158gr lswc bullet 6.8gr of unique MAX 1295fps 33,900psi

 

[jski]

I’ll be using these rounds in a S&W model 19 with a 4” barrel and S&W 686 with a 3” barrel.

Your data suggests that jacketed/plated bullets require greater charges. I assume that’s because lead (in a cast bullet) has greater lubricity than copper.

Remember, I’ll be using Unique.

 

[jski]

Just discovered: https://www.thehighroad.org/index.php?threads/looking-for-357-load-unique-berry-158gr-plated.701767/

 

[Armored farmer]

My personal load is 6.4 gr UNIQUE under my cast 158s
Sorry, but no chrono info....more than mild, less than wild.
No leading issues.
This is my general purpose load, and it shoots well from all my .357s including the carbine.
Best wishes.

 

[buck460XVR]

I like 7.5 gr of Unique under a jacketed/plated 158 grainer. Doubt very much if it will give you 1100 FPS in a 3 incher tho. Most suggestions for plated bullets are low to moderate jacketed recipes. This from many of the plated bullet companies themselves.

 

[Blue68f100]

When I shot at a indoor range I used the Berry's bullets. My load was 3.8gr WST behind their 158gr SWC bullet. The crony numbers I have put it around 766 ft/s . These are mouse frat loads. With WST there is very little powder residue on my 6" Ni Python. WST is one of the few powders that burn clean at reduced loads and is not very position sensitive either. It is reverse temp sensitive, meaning it gains velocity as the temp goes down, these were shot at 55F.

 

[whughett]

Lyman’s 49th, page 357. Start was 6.4 Max is 8.3
Velocity at max 1185. These are Berry’s Target Hollow Point and the box is labeled don’t exceed 1250 FPS.
These are shot in a Smith Model 27 and A Ruger GP100 Champion. I started at 6.2 in keeping with reducing the starting by a few percent, went to 6.5 and continued went up to 8.00 in .5 increments, 10 rounds at a time. In lieu of the label warning didn’t go to max.
No problems, no excessive pressure signs, muzzle blast and flash noticeable but firing was done in my clubs indoor range with some what subdued lighting.

Didn’t chronograph, my Chrony doesn’t work well indoors and it’s too cold for me outside.

Normally don’t punch paper with magnums, no point to it, but wanted a supply just to have some to occasionally bang off.

Hope this helps.

Edit: The clubs back stop is shredded rubber, I’d like to have been able to recover a few bullets but........
Additional edit: Not a suggestion just what I’ve done.

 

[FROGO207]

Don't forget that the GDHP data is for a hollow point and will be inserted farther into the case raising pressures. That coupled with the jacket thickness of the plating makes it it's own anamal. I usually use the low to mid range jacketed data for plated bullets and have had good results so far in several calibers. You could always get in contact with Berry's and ask them what they would use. Might save you some supplies up front.

 

[Walkalong]

When I shot at a indoor range I used the Berry's bullets. My load was 3.8gr WST behind their 158gr SWC bullet. The crony numbers I have put it around 766 ft/s . These are mouse frat loads. With WST there is very little powder residue on my 6" Ni Python. WST is one of the few powders that burn clean at reduced loads and is not very position sensitive either. It is reverse temp sensitive, meaning it gains velocity as the temp goes down, these were shot at 55F.

My powder puff plinker with WST is the same 3.8 Grs under an X-Treme 158 Gr SWC. Runs a bit slower. Great stuff. BE-86 for medium loads and 2400 for "full" loads with 158s.

 

[35 Whelen]

My .357 loads with Unique and 153-158 gr. cast SWC's from a 4 3/4" barrel-

5.5 grs.- 1023 fps (153 gr.) and 1020 fps (158 gr.) This is the load I use for a standard/utility load. 1200 fps in my 20" carbine. Super accurate in my revolvers.
6.0 grs.- 1079 fps (153 gr.) and 1075 fps (158 gr.)
7.0 grs.- 1197 fps

Hope this helps.

35W

 

[Steve51]

My favorite .357 revolver load is 158 gr. Coated LSWC or plated RNFP bullet over 7.4 grains of Unique. For my lever action rifle I load 158 gr. Hornady XTP JHP over 14.5 grains of Alliant 2400. Don't own a chrono, so can't give any velocity information.

 

[Eddietruett]

A coated Lead bullet will give you more velocity than the Berrys Plated Bullet. Plated bullets create more friction than any other type bullet according to several test I have seen and I've actually had plated bullets stick in the barrel with real light loads. I've gone to Hytek Coated Bullets for all of my target shooting except that I still use 148gr HBWC in a Model 14 with a 8 3/8s' Barrel because it will shoot them in one hole. The Coated bullets give you the best of all worlds. Great Accuracy, better velocity and shoot as clean as a Jacket Bullet as well as being a lot cheaper than plated. I can't see me ever going back to plated.

 

[RealGun]

Normally don’t punch paper with magnums, no point to it, but wanted a supply just to have some to occasionally bang off.

I always shoot serious loads in magnums to practice managing recoil and the tendency to flinch. I use a 22 or dry fire to just punch holes or practice fundamentals.

 

[RealGun]

I’m reloading 357 rounds using Berry’s plated bullets in the classic 158 gr. I looked at Alliant’s website for Unique and saw charges ranging from 6 to 7.7 grains of powder for 158 gr bullets of various ilks, none of which are fully jacketed/plated?

6 gr for 158 gr Speer LSWC
7.7 gr for 158 gr Speer GDHP

Suggestions for Unique loads for 158 gr Berry’s bullets?

BTW, I’m looking for a charge that pushes these bullets at around 1100 fps.

Unique is not a magnum powder, so I found that if pushing beyond about the midpoint in the load data there is sharper recoil and not much gain in velocity. Magnum powders become less punishing to shoot than Unique. One of the best loads for my 4" Model 19-4 is 6.5 gr of Unique and 158 lead sold as 10% antimony. I would have to change grips and shoot with a glove to get Unique to do much more than that.

 

[e rex]

My 4" 686 likes 6.5 grains unique with my 158 grain 357446 cast bullet. Out of my revolver, over my chrony it goes right at 1100 fps.

 

[Walkalong]

Unique is not a magnum powder, so I found that if pushing beyond about the midpoint in the load data there is sharper recoil and not much gain in velocity. Magnum powders become less punishing to shoot than Unique.

Yep.

 

[whughett]

I always shoot serious loads in magnums to practice managing recoil and the tendency to flinch. I use a 22 or dry fire to just punch holes or practice fundamentals.

I’m not really practicing for any thing, at 78 recoil and flinch were overcome decades ago. No I just enjoy the whole aspect of shooting, beating up my arthritic hands, wrist and shoulders with 357 or 44 Magnum loads doesn’t accomplish anything. Although the 357 fired in a heavy revolver like the N frames isn’t any stouter than a 45ACP with military ball ammo.
The 44 Magnum on the other hand, ouch.

The 44 and 45ACP are kept at milder loads also.

LOL. Everything this days is done in moderation at a reduced pace.

 

[rfwobbly]

I looked at Alliant’s website for Unique and saw charges ranging from 6 to 7.7 grains of powder for 158 gr bullets of various ilks, none of which are fully jacketed/plated ?
7.7 gr for 158 gr Speer GDHP

Technically speaking...
• The Speer GoldDot is a plated bullet.
• The bullet doesn't need to be fully enclosed to make the closest apples-to-apples comparison. It only needs to 1) match the weight, and 2) be plated at the part that touches the rifling.