Powder for .357 Magnum?

[ray15]

When I push to max loads (for my .357) it quickly becomes uncomfortable to shoot. And when I go to the range I'm looking to have a good time.

Quite honestly, you have have the wrong powder then. H110 really is a max-only affair; 2400 would be much more comfortable in the box you're putting this load in.

 

[RugerOldArmy]

In .357 Mag I pretty much use only 2 loads:
- Hollow-based 148 Gr wadcutters with light loads of Bullseye. (Start looking at 3-ish grains in .357 brass. Start as low as 2.7 grains in 38 Special brass.) This is a target load, similar to the popular 38 Special loads. Very, very accurate.
- 158 Gr jacketed bullets over 14-ish gr of 2400. This is a moderately heavy load that shoots very well in my S&W Model 19s and my 686.

I'm totally happy with these two loads.

 

[Walkalong]

Similar here, a plated 158 Gr SWC over either WST or Competition (3.8ish Grs, depends) for a light plinker/target load, and a coated 158 Gr SWC over 14.5 Grs 2400 for a near full power load.

 

[ray15]

Similar here, a plated 158 Gr SWC over either WST or Competition (3.8ish Grs, depends) for a light plinker/target load, and a coated 158 Gr SWC over 14.5 Grs 2400 for a near full power load.

Do you have any chrono results on those loads? I use 125gr. 38+p with Titegroup for plinkers and the aforementioned 158gr. load using 16.7gr. of W296 for full-power, but am testing stuff in between.

 

[Glockula]

I like 2400 for magnum loads, Unique for middle range, and Trail Boss for light loads, all with 158 grain SWCs. I use the same powders in .44 magnum as well.

This mirrors what I use in .357 magnum. 2400, Unique and Trail Boss are all you need for .357 magnum.

 

[Walkalong]

Do you have any chrono results on those loads?

3.8 Grs WST X-Treme 158 Gr SWC @ 1.555 to 1.560 OAL WSP primer very light taper crimp 59 degrees ?% RH - 1-12
4" 586
Hi=735
Lo=670
Avg=712
ES=65
SD=24

3.7 Grs Competition X-Treme 158 Gr SWC @ 1.555 to 1.560 OAL CCI 500 primer very light taper crimp 89 degrees 43% RH - 5-17
4" 586
Hi=729
Lo=708
Avg=716
ES=21
SD=7

3.8 Grs Competition X-Treme 158 Gr SWC @ 1.555 to 1.560 OAL CCI 500 primer very light taper crimp 87 degrees 57% RH - 5-17
4" 586
Hi=753
Lo=695
Avg=725
ES=58
SD=20

14.5 Grs 2400 X-Treme 158 Gr SWC @ 1.560+ OAL WSP primer heavy taper crimp 72 degrees 26% RH - 4-15
4" 586
Hi=1216
Lo=1120
Avg=1178
ES=96
SD=38

14.5 Grs 2400 Hornady158 Gr XTP @ 1.577 OAL WSP primer medium roll crimp 72 degrees 26% RH - 4-15
4" 586
Hi=1253
Lo=1098
Avg=1195
ES=155
SD=53

14.5 Grs 2400 SNS coated 158 Gr SWC @ 1.605 +/- .001 OAL CCI 500 primer medium roll crimp 85 degrees 68% RH - 10-15
4" 586
Hi=1278
Lo=1178
Avg=1234
ES=100
SD=35

Not responsible for typos, start low and work up, check data.

 

[Walkalong]

A good medium load with the 158 gr X-Treme SWC is 7.3 Grs of BE-86. Very nice.

7.3 Grs BE-86 X-Treme 158 Gr SWC @ 1.560+ OAL WSP primer light taper crimp 48 degrees 31% RH - 11-16
4" 586
Hi=1074
Lo=1040
Avg=1057
ES=34
SD=11

See warning above.

 

[jski]

How about Ramshot True Blue for the .357 Mag. After some research, it appears to me that True Blue is an excellent replacement for Unique as a "universal powder". Very fine grained so it meters extremely well.

 

[Walkalong]

Theoretically it should work well for midrange loads, meters superbly, does well in applications with low load density, can be very accurate, generally gives good ES & SD numbers.......I do't remember if I have tried it or not, would have to look.

 

[jski]

True Blue data for .357 Mag

RAMSHOT TRUE BLUE

Bullet Weight (Grains) / Bullet Make / Bullet Type / Start Load (Grains) / Start Velocity (FPS) / Max Load (Grains) / Max Velocity (FPS) / Max Pressure (PSI) / COL (Inches)
110 HDY XTP 11.3 1,475 12.5 1,639 33,160 1.570
125 HDY XTP 10.4 1,325 11.5 1,472 30,750 1.580
125 BARNES XPB 7.0 1,109 7.8 1,232 33,500 1.585
125 (L) LC FP 7.7 1,246 9.1 1,414 34,872 1.575
140 SIERRA JHC 9.3 1,250 10.3 1,389 33,580 1.575
158 HDY XTP 8.6 1,132 9.5 1,258 34,700 1.590
158 (L) LC SWC 8.8 1,176 9.8 1,307 32,210 1.590
180 (L) CP WFNGC 7.6 1,046 8.4 1,162 33,000 1.550
187 (L) CP FNGC 6.3 929 7.4 1,063 34,387 1.600