Loading .357

[CoalTrain49]

I shoot and load a lot of 357. I use coated 158 gr SWC bullets exclusively. Saves about 50% over FMJ. 357 can be downloaded for target and pinking. Cowboy action shooters figured this out a long time ago. Alliant has some loads on their website under Cowboy Action that generate about 840 fps using American Select powder. If I want stouter loads I use 2400. Just about any bullet can be shipped to your doorstep. Personally, I can't see using 12 grains of powder and a 0.20 bullet when I can have just as much fun with a 4 grain load and a 0.10 bullet. Hornady FMJ bullets are great for hunting however. I've been buying Acme coated bullets lately and they seem as good as any I've used. Less smoke and no leading. They do smell a little weird tho and you will get some strange looks at the range. They're lipstick red.

 

[ColtPythonElite]

I really like the Missouri Bullet Co. 140 gr Zingers and BE-86. I prefer the coated ones.

 

[buck460XVR]

What's your length? Any chroneograph data?

COAL is irrelevant when using bullets with a cannelure. There are no real adjustments to be made since one crimps int the center of the cannelure. That said, not all 158 gr. bullets give you the same COAL when seated to the cannelure.

 

[Walkalong]

Any chroneograph data?

SNS coated 158 Gr SWC over 14.5 Grs 2400, CCI 500 primer, 1.605 OAL, 85 degrees 68% RH

4" 586

Avg 1234 PB, 1257 PF, 1241 PL. (Powder Back, Powder Forward, Powder Level)


X-Treme plated 158 Gr SWC over 7.3 Grs BE-86, WSP primer, 1.560 OAL, 48 degrees 31% RH

4" 586

Avg 1057 PB, 1001 PF.

Both very accurate. Start low, work up.

 

[mikey98e]

What's your length? Any chroneograph data?

I worked up this load in 1979 when I started handgun deer hunting in PA. I don't have any chronograph data for it. All cases are trimmed and the bullets are crimped in the cannelure groove. I also weigh each charge. I found this load to be very accurate in my 357s so I stuck with it.
-mike

 

[JohnhenrySTL]

I stuff 17 grains, or 16.9 of H110 into inspected range brass. I'm happy you experienced fellows are content with slower speeds than I'm getting. That's not to sound cocky, I'm serious. I've been at it off and on for a while. I have never made it up to 1400 FPS pushing 158 grains. This last batch had a heavier crimp. And the one before that had a even liter crimp with inconsistent velocities. So far for me, using H110, a tighter crimp narrows my range of five round shots. I get around 1330-1380 fps. My spent cases fall right out. The recoil isn't bad at all. The load is loud. I only prefer to shoot it while hunting. My gun is a GP100 with a six inch barrel. I've been irrationally chasing it because of an experience I had shooting my first hog last fall.

I randomly came across my first wild hogs on my farm. I would have preferred to have my rifle, but it was packed under all my gear. I shot at the first one right in the chest at 30 -40 yards. It was dark, but in my jeep headlines I saw black matter blow out of its chest and it fell over with seizures. The second was put down at almost point blank range as it walked to me. I never did find the first one. And I saw no tracks or blood. I shot it with some federal 158 grains a cop friend gave me. They were from the 80s, but they claimed1250 fps. Next time I'll hopefully have a .30 caliber rifle. But I want some .357s that are as powerful as I need to avoid having one run off in the dark. I also have had serious fun developing this load. Im curious to hear when a reload becomes a genuine .357 magnum. Sorry for my blog, hope I didn't jack this thread.

A few pointers my experience has found for anybody chasing loads, all the Sierras and Hornadys I have loaded are shorter than my Lee and Lyman books suggest, when the are loaded to the crimping groove. I believe they have a 158 grain listed at 1.590. My sierra jacket hollow cores, end up at 1.570, I have worked up slowly and not noticed any pressure signs yet.

Thanks again.

 

[JohnhenrySTL]

COAL is irrelevant when using bullets with a cannelure. There are no real adjustments to be made since one crimps int the center of the cannelure. That said, not all 158 gr. bullets give you the same COAL when seated to the cannelure.

I touched on my issue in my longer post, but when loading to max suggested charges are you concerned with excessive pressures when you end up shorter than the suggested length?

 

[buck460XVR]

I touched on my issue in my longer post, but when loading to max suggested charges are you concerned with excessive pressures when you end up shorter than the suggested length?

When reloading any new projectile, I don't start at the suggested maximum charge. Don't know of anyone who should. Many times I will compare the amount of bullet behind the cannelure as compared to known projectiles as to how much difference there may be in case volume when developing new loads. More or less may determine how low I start when working up. Pressure signs as working up determines how high I go, not COAL. When using a recipe with the same projectile I'm using, the little bit of difference in case length, resulting in a smidgen of difference in COAL, makes no more difference in how close to the suggested max I go, than what gun I'm shooting them from from. Again, you cannot make significant adjustments in COAL and still roll crimp into the center of the cannelure. Bullet profile, along with type of bullet, also determines amount of case volume left behind the cannelure, as well as COAL. Sometimes with guns using rimmed cartridges like handgun caliber lever action carbines, that may be finicky to feeding, minor differences in COAL can be an issue. In most revolvers, using standard for caliber projectiles, not so much.

 

[BBarn]

I have a Ruger Blackhawk with a 6.5 barrel. I want to target shoot and plink with. I want to use Hornady XTP 158 jacked hollow points, Because these seem to be the easyest to get. what powder and primer would you guys recomend? Thanks in advance.

For target and plinking, I prefer the mid to fast pistol powders in the .357. Most powders I've tried work well in the .357, but I typically use W231 or HS-6 for lighter plinking and target loads. Standard primers work fine with W231, but I prefer magnum primers when using HS-6.

 

[JohnhenrySTL]

When reloading any new projectile, I don't start at the suggested maximum charge. Don't know of anyone who should. Many times I will compare the amount of bullet behind the cannelure as compared to known projectiles as to how much difference there may be in case volume when developing new loads. More or less may determine how low I start when working up. Pressure signs as working up determines how high I go, not COAL. When using a recipe with the same projectile I'm using, the little bit of difference in case length, resulting in a smidgen of difference in COAL, makes no more difference in how close to the suggested max I go, than what gun I'm shooting them from from. Again, you cannot make significant adjustments in COAL and still roll crimp into the center of the cannelure. Bullet profile, along with type of bullet, also determines amount of case volume left behind the cannelure, as well as COAL. Sometimes with guns using rimmed cartridges like handgun caliber lever action carbines, that may be finicky to feeding, minor differences in COAL can be an issue. In most revolvers, using standard for caliber projectiles, not so much.

I never considered the amount of billet behind the cannelure. This is all a learning experience. I always have seated to the crimping groove, and have always chased accuracy, convienience, and and then velocity in that order.

Thanks.

 

[Reefinmike]

I stuff 17 grains, or 16.9 of H110 into inspected range brass. I'm happy you experienced fellows are content with slower speeds than I'm getting. That's not to sound cocky, I'm serious. I've been at it off and on for a while. I have never made it up to 1400 FPS pushing 158 grains. This last batch had a heavier crimp. And the one before that had a even liter crimp with inconsistent velocities. So far for me, using H110, a tighter crimp narrows my range of five round shots. I get around 1330-1380 fps. My spent cases fall right out. The recoil isn't bad at all. The load is loud. I only prefer to shoot it while hunting. My gun is a GP100 with a six inch barrel. I've been irrationally chasing it because of an experience I had shooting my first hog last fall.

I randomly came across my first wild hogs on my farm. I would have preferred to have my rifle, but it was packed under all my gear. I shot at the first one right in the chest at 30 -40 yards. It was dark, but in my jeep headlines I saw black matter blow out of its chest and it fell over with seizures. The second was put down at almost point blank range as it walked to me. I never did find the first one. And I saw no tracks or blood. I shot it with some federal 158 grains a cop friend gave me. They were from the 80s, but they claimed1250 fps. Next time I'll hopefully have a .30 caliber rifle. But I want some .357s that are as powerful as I need to avoid having one run off in the dark. I also have had serious fun developing this load. Im curious to hear when a reload becomes a genuine .357 magnum.
Thanks again.

Try out some lilgun along with coated hard cast lead bullets. the coated lead goes faster than a JHP and I bet a cast bullet is better for your purposes on hogs. Im getting 1575 fps with lilgun and a 158gr cast and coated bullet. Thats roughly 33% more muzzle energy than your mouse fart load

 

[Catpop]

Try out some lilgun along with coated hard cast lead bullets. the coated lead goes faster than a JHP and I bet a cast bullet is better for your purposes on hogs. Im getting 1575 fps with lilgun and a 158gr cast and coated bullet. Thats roughly 33% more muzzle energy than your mouse fart load

Wow! 1575 fps out of a revolver! And with cast to boot! What revolver are you shooting?

 

[docbrown]

Yeah, what revolver and how long of a barrel?

 

[buck460XVR]

I never considered the amount of billet behind the cannelure. .

One reason wadcutters have such a small charge rate is because of the decrease in case volume from the deep seating of the bullet. A slightly different profile can change where the manufacturer places the cannelure in effort to crimp behind the ogive, thus amount of bullet in the case can vary even between bullets of the same weight.