Mild .357 loads?

[Sriracha]

Hello everyone,

I'm thinking of buying a revolver, but the .357 is just too noisy for me, even with double hearing protection. On the other hand, I want something that has a bit more power than a .38 +P. (Also, even the so-called +P+ loads don't seem much more powerful than ordinary +P.)

I found a nice article on Mr. Stephen Camp's site about mid-level .357 loads:
http://www.hipowersandhandguns.com/can_less_be_more.htm
However, I was wondering if someone knew of light loads -- call them ".357 -P."

For example, is there something that will push a 158 grain bullet at 950-1000 fps out of a 4" barrel?

I will probably end up getting into hand-loading anyway, but it would be nice to have some mild factory loads for SD.

Thanks,
Sriracha

 

[Guitargod1985]

You can always just shoot .38 special +P out of your .357

For example, is there something that will push a 158 grain bullet at 950-1000 fps out of a 4" barrel?

Speer makes a Gold Dot .357 load that's designed to perform in 2" barrels. It's actually pretty mild,
EDIT: This load is around 1200 fps with a 158 grain bullet.

 

[Barr]

Look up loads at www.alliantpowder.com. There seems to be promise with American Select under the 158 grain 357 Magnum loading. They list the max charge of 6.0 grains as being 1210 fps. Their velocities are generally optimistic and if you dialed the load down to the low 5 point something range you can probably find what you want in the 1100 fps range or so, maybe even 1000 fps, and it will be clean.

 

[GP100man]

A BIG WELCOME to the forum!!!!
if you reload you can taylor to your taste, if not look for cowboy loadings there mid range loads for CAS shooters.
if you reload try start load of hodgdons clays under a soft hornady 158gr swc, you`d be suprised how slow there goin!!!

GP100man

 

[esti]

I'm a petite female and practice shooting my S&W 60LS with Blazer 158 gr JHP ammo, muzzle velocity 1150 according to http://www.blazer-ammo.com/blazer_chart.aspx

 

[Sunray]

A 4" barrel with hot ammo is going to be loud with .38 +p's too. However, Remington loads a 158 grain lead SWC that shouldn't be too loud. Cast bullets can't be driven too fast.
Mind you, if you're shooting inside, you may find that most of the noise is coming from the range echo. The quality of your ear defenders may be part of the issue. Or other shooters using hot .357 loads inside. Shot with one guy whose loads would knock dust off the ceiling. He claimed a round or two of really hot jacketed ammo would clean out any leading. Friggin' muzzle blast was like a flash bulb going off.

 

[Floppy_D]

Sounds like heavy bullets and subsonic loads are in order. If this is the only reason you need to get into handloading, do yourself the favor and bite now.

 

[Barr]

As long as the lead bullets are hard cast, it is very hard to "push the bullet too fast". I have a .357 load that pushes 1300 fps and a .44 load that is 1350+ fps and have no problems with leading. If you buy a swaged lead bullet and push it too fast, then you will have problems with leading. With hard cast bullets, you do need to have enough pressure to "obturate" the base of the bullet to prevent hot gas blowby which is a leading cause of leading.

 

[RobertFBurnett]

If you ever travel to Los Angeles my local indoor range sells FMJ .357 reloads that are -5% SAAMI and are pretty tame.

RFB

P.S. And welcome to THR!

 

[joneb]

I've loaded Plated FP 140 and 158gr with 8.5 and 8.0gr respectively with AA#5 in .357 mag cases and WSP the COAL for the 140's(Raineer's) was 1.585" the 158's(Accuras) ? had a cannelure so I seated to that, I use a Taper crimp for plated bullets, these are accurate mid-range loads for me.
I also have had very good results with the 140gr Raineers with 7.2gr of W231 in .357 mag cases with WSP, COAL of 1.585".
Sorry, I don't shoot very much factory ammo these days.

 

[Spyvie]

I'm a petite female and practice shooting my S&W 60LS with Blazer 158 gr JHP ammo, muzzle velocity 1150 according to http://www.blazer-ammo.com/blazer_chart.aspx

I'll second that (except for the petite female part) I use Blazer 158 aluminum exclusively at the range in my .357s, the recoil is light and I don't have to worry about fouling my cylinders with .38 specials. I don't usually depend on a revolver for SD/HD, but if I did I'd have no doubt the mild Blazer stuff would ruin a bad guys day.

 

[brokencowboy]

Due to the extent of my disability, I have to load my own because factory ammo has too muck recoil. I worked up a load for the .357 using IMR 80O-X that will push a 158 gr plated FP at 950 fps out of a 4" revolver, It's light enough that the pinched nerves in my shoulder can handk it very well.

 

[wnycollector]

Check out www.mastercast.net they have a lite .357 158gr jhp loading (1120fps). It kicks just a little harder than doubletaps +p .38 in my Ruger security six snubbie.

 

[evan price]

I'm loading a 158-lead SWC over 5.1 of Titegroup, it hits 1100 fps and 24.9kCUP.

 

[KI.W.]

There is Vihtavuori N-32C TinStar powder for cowboy shooting. Also N-330 and -340 are The best ones.

Bullet 158gr, barrel 6" 18,5 twist
N-330 3.9gr 791fps. 5,0gr 997fps
N-340 4,5gr 804fps. 5,9gr 1050fps by Vihtavuori # 2006

 

[DaleCooper51]

Most of the time, my plinking load is a 158 gr LSWC over 5.0 grains of Unique in a .38 case. It's a pretty tame load in my steel K-frame.

For light .357 factory ammo, my revolvers really like the remington golden sabre 125gr jacketed hollowpoint. They aren't cheap, but they are a pretty low recoiling .357.

 

[Sriracha]

Thank you for all your replies and warm welcomes.

Sounds like many of you agree that reloading is a good option. [Sigh] I guess it may be time to start yet another new hobby. I think I'll try some of the factory loads suggested here for self defense and then gradually start amassing some reloading gear.... Thanks again,

-Sriracha

 

[pbhome71]

Sriracha,

What an interesting name..

If you think you will load just the 38spl/357M, you can get Lee hand press, and dies. It does not cost too much.

-Pat

 

[GP100man]

reloadin

if you start theres no turnin back !!!!!!!
thought id warn ya LOL!!!!
i started to save $$$$
i now shoot to load !!!
& i started with richard lee`s equipment !! if not for him theres a good chance there would be less reloaders to day!!!
my only advice is have a set of good scales to know exactly how much powder your dealin with ,the rest is just tools to support the habit!!!!

GP100man

 

[DaleCooper51]

If getting into reloading, check the bulletin boards at the local range for used gear. I was able to get an entire rcbs single stage setup with powder measure, scale, dies, etc for just over $100.

 

[Piedmont Plinker]

Buffalo Bore makes a .38+P that falls under you criteria


Item No. 20A/20 158 gr. L.S.W.C.H.P.--G.C. (1,000fps/M.E. 351 ft.lbs.) Per Box of 20
$22.04
Order Now

 

[farmmer dan]

I started reloading about 2 years back and the money that I saved and the fun I have is well worth the cost of a reloading kit. Reloading my .357 costs me less than 6.50$ per 50 rounds using 158 gn JHP going 1000 ish fps

 

[jfh]

The Buffalo Bore 20A is not a mild load.

Any 158-gr. round that makes 1000 fps from a 2" barrel is not mild. But, it is an incredible SD load. It does fit in with Sriracha's criteria however.

The other posters are right--this is a good time to get into reloading and develop your own 357-lite loads. A 357 cartridge with a 140-gr. LTC that runs about 900 fps from my 2" revolvers is a real pussycat when fired from my 686P with a 4" barrel.

Jim H.

 

[jfh]

screwed up.

Jim H.

 

[zxcvbob]

If you are OK with reloading, use .38 Special +P load data, and work *up* from there until you get what you want. Or start with .357 magnum data (using a fast-burning powder) and work backwards.

Unique, 231, Red Dot, Bullseye, and American Select should all be good powder choices.