Light 357 magnum loads

[Thomaswh3]

Can a 357 magnum be down loaded . I have sierra 125 grn and 158 grn fmj bullets that I would like to make light loads . I have been using W 231 and AA #7 for my 38 special . I thought about using 38 + P powder charges . Thanks for any info .

 

[Walkalong]

+P .38 Spl loads work great in .357 brass.

 

[Pete D.]

38

You can use any .38 Spl load.

 

[ljnowell]

You can use any .38 Spl load.

What he said. I've seen people debate it back and forth but I have yet to ever see a single example of a light 38 load causing a squib in a 357 case. I load a very light charge under a 158 gr SWC for bullseye comp. my uncle loads the same load. He once had his powder measure set for the HBWC load which is .5 grain less, a full 1.1 grain under start and it had no issues clearing a 6" barrel. This happened to be the day he was seeing how they shot in 357 cases. So, 1.1 grain under start for 38 special in a magnum case, no issues.

I've loaded lots of 2.8 grain bullseye and 2.9 grains of AA#2 under HBWC in magnum cases too.

 

[sellersm]

Yep, I load a lot of light .357 magnum loads using W231. No issues. Just make sure your first shot clears the barrel when testing your load.

 

[PJSprog]

Absolutely. This is a much better "one-size-brass" scenario than the idea of uploading .38 brass to .357 levels. Your W231 will be outstanding for lower-power loads.

 

[anothernewb]

You may find you're pleasantly happy in the range of 4 grains of 231 with 158 lead pills.

 

[BYJO4]

I prefer light loads as all my shooting is done at the range on paper targets. I also don't care for the recoil of full loads. I do use 158 gr lead SWC as they make nice holes in the paper and cost a lot less. My load for years has been 4.8 gr of Bullseye and the 158 gr LSWC.

 

[Average Joe]

Sure, I load all my .357 loads to .38 +p loads.

 

[USSR]

Since you said you would be using "fmj bullets", by which I am assuming you mean copper jacketed bullets, I would suggest you do not use starting .38 Special load data, and stick to upper end .38 Special or +P load data.

Don

 

[ljnowell]

Since you said you would be using "fmj bullets", by which I am assuming you mean copper jacketed bullets, I would suggest you do not use starting .38 Special load data, and stick to upper end .38 Special or +P load data.



Don

Still disagree. The extra case length will not make a difference. They will all go bang and there won't be squibs.

 

[rcmodel]

Light 357 magnum loads
Are called .38 Special loads.

I do agree you should not use light 'mouse fart' lead bullet data with jacketed or plated bullets as you are dealing with more bore friction then with a grease lubed lead bullet.

But standard pressure .38'Special jacketed data should be fine.

(Just Add 0.1 to 0.2 grains powder to make up for the extra .357 case capacity.)

rc

 

[Walkalong]

Be careful with some starting loads for .38 Spl when using .357 brass. Make sure all bullets exit the barrel. Anything middle of the road and up should be fine.

 

[Dudedog]

I like 5gr of HP38/W231 with a 158 SWC as a light-medium .357 load.
Heavier than .38 Special but not close to full powder .357.
I have also loaded 4 and 4.5.
4 is a little more than .38 special MAX but in .357 brass it is really light.

Hope you find something that works well for your needs.

 

[TimSr]

Since you said you would be using "fmj bullets", by which I am assuming you mean copper jacketed bullets, I would suggest you do not use starting .38 Special load data, and stick to upper end .38 Special or +P load data.

Absolutely!

Lead bullets pass through a barrel more easily than copper jacketed. This is why starting loads for lead are ALWAYS lower than starting jacketed loads. Do not load below published minimums for jacketed bullets! Most starting loads for jacketed bullets used to be in the +P range.

 

[kcofohio]

I agree with you Dudegog. I have loaded 357 158 gr. with 5 gr. Titegroup (which is close to W231 in data). It is very manageable in a 357 snubby. And light in a K-frame S&W.

 

[ATLDave]

I use the same loads for 148 WC's and 158 SWC's (plated) that I use in .38 special except that I bump up the (small) powder charge of AA#2 by .4-.5 grains IIRC.

So, yeah, you can make mouse-fart wadcutter type loads that shoot just as soft as .38 special soft loads... you just have to make a small adjustment to make sure you don't stick a bullet in the bore at those low velocities!

 

[Toprudder]

I would try Trailboss powder. Good case fill and reduced recoil.

 

[anothernewb]

second that.
TB is the "boss" when it comes to mousefarts. love it in everything I've used it in.

 

[mbopp]

I retired my 19-3 from full-house loads. +P loads in a 357 case with 158gr LSWC bullets work well for me.

 

[JO JO]

I have good luck with trail boss and plated wad cutters

 

[TimSr]

OP is using FMJ bullets.

Once again I assert that starting lead load data and jacketed bullets are not compatible.

 

[ljnowell]

OP is using FMJ bullets.



Once again I assert that starting lead load data and jacketed bullets are not compatible.

I didn't notice anyone suggesting lead loads with jacketed bullets. Maybe I missed it?

 

[Thomaswh3]

357 mag loads

Thanks for all the info . It really helped me . I am going to load a few and try the out . Thanks again , Tom

 

[Walkalong]

Trail Boss loves lead, but didn't play well with plated for me. It was erratic.

W-231 is a great choice for midrange .357, as is AA #5.