need your help cross checking a .357 load

[geo57]

.357 magnum, 158 gr. JHP, Blue Dot powder......my Alliant data says 10.7 grs. & Speer says 10.2 max.( which seems really low from memory) If you have the most current SIERRA & Hornady manual, please give me their maximum load using these ingredients. I do realize with modern pressure testing that loads have become less and loads will vary due to that specific maker's bullet, but i want a general cross reference. Thank you for any & all assistance here.

 

[HankB]

I don't have the most current manuals, but perhaps these data points will help.

Sierra 2nd Edition: 158 JSP, maximum 12.6 grains of Blue Dot for 1250 ft/sec out of a 6" Colt Mk III Trooper.

Hornady 3rd Edition: 158 JHP, maximum 11.7 grains of Blue Dot for 1300 ft/sec out of an 8 3/8" S&W M-27.

I haven't tried either one of these loads, so be careful, work up from well below, powder lots may vary, etc.

 

[Kamicosmos]

I have Sierra #5, I'll post info when I get home from work in about 8 hours....

 

[Fumbler]

Alliant says 10.7gr of Blue Dot will do 1450fps.
I wonder what barrel length they used.

 

[Grump]

I think .40 S"&W is the only caliber where I've seen Alliant velocity data come close to what I get. In .357 Mag., they list a 5.6-inch barrel, but I don't know if that's really a 4-inch tube beyond the cylinder, or a short 6-inch barrel or what. In two guns of 6 inch barrel length, the observed velocities don't match Alliant's published speeds.

 

[Kamicosmos]

Sierra #5 says:

158 grain, Blue Dot Start: 11.6 @ 1150fps Mid 12.1 @ 1200fps Max 12.6 @ 1250fps

Wow...that seems aggressive. 6" test barrel too, Trooper MkIII

Lyman #48 says:
158 grain, Blue Dot Start: 9.6 @ 929fps Max: 10.7 @ 1158fps.
universal reciever, 4" barrel.

That seems a bit better. I use 12 grains of Blue Dot in my mild .44 mag loads, which Lyman shows as a mid range load. Whereas Sierra 5 shows a range of 14.8 to 16.9 for 240 grain .44 loads, so my mid strength load is well below starting.

Those sierra bullets must be tougher than I thought! Just goes to prove why I have 4 different loading manuals on my bench!

 

[Bullet]

geo57

Don't forget to check C.O.L. The C.O.L. is different in some manuels.

My 4th edition Hornady manuel says -

357 Magnum - Federal 200 Primer - 158Gr. HP/XTP - Blue Dot 11.4 Gr MAX - 1450fps - C.O.L. -1.590