powder for a .357 target load

[Sterno]

I'm fairly new to reloading and I just got a Ruger GP-100 that I want to reload for. I'm looking to make target pressure loads maybe similar to .38 special.

What are some good powders to use for this?

 

[JDGray]

Welcome! I use HS6, for midrange loads. Just use 38s for plinking.

 

[The Bushmaster]

What is your barrel length? If it is in the 2 to 3 inch class I would go with W-231. If it is in the 4 inch and beyond I'd use either 2400 or W-296. As I won't ever shoot .38 Specials in any of my .357 magnums I would not have a load that goes that low in recoil. Some light .357 magnum loads do have rather low recoil, but are still more then .38 Special. If you are loading light bullets that might help also. Best results for my mod 19 with 2 1/2 " barrel is anything from 7.0 grains to 7.8 grains of W-231 under a 140 grain SJHP. Running from 1030 to 1130 fps. My 4 3/4" Colt SAA is happy with light (13.5 to 15 grains) charges of Alliant 2400. My Ruger 6 1/2" works best with moderate to heavy charges of W-296 (17.5 to 19.0).
I have .38 Specials if I wish to shoot .38 rounds, but never in my .357 magnums.

As with ALL information gleaned from these and other web site pages. Take them with a grain of salt and insure you double check with other manuals. Work up to any new charge or component with caution.

 

[Ifishsum]

For target light loads, I think it's better to use the .38 special case so you don't have all that empty space. 3 to 3.5 gr of bullseye behind a lead 158gr SWC in a .38 special case makes an accurate and easy shooting target load, and that pound of powder will last you forever.

If you're set on the .357 case, you might try IMR Trail Boss - it's real bulky and will fill up the case even with a light load.

 

[Sterno]

I have the GP-100 with the 6" barrel.

Because I shoot alot of rounds each range trip, I want to use the .357 brass so I don't get all the fouling that builds up from using .38. I'm not looking to make really weak loads, I'm just looking to make some target loads that won't kill my hand after 50 or so rounds.

Mainly I'm just looking for powder brand suggestions, not load data. I'm going to get that from a book.

I like the idea of the Trail Boss filling up the brass even with a light load.


Also, what's the difference between single and double based powders? Is one cleaner or more corrosive than the other?

 

[griz]

Since the cases are so close, use the same powders that are good for 38 loads. 231, Titegroup, Bullseye, AA#2, and many others will work fine. If you want something about halfway between 38 and 357, the midrange powders such as Universal, Unique, AA#5, are also good. Your best bet is to look in the manuals at the starting loads for 357, and see if that is mild enough. If it isn't, pick a powder listed for 357 AND 38, and reduce the starting 357 load towards the upper 38 load. Does that make sense? It sounded good in my head, but it's been a long day.

 

[Standing Wolf]

I used Bullseye powder for years. I've recently switched to Tight Group, which meters more accurately.

 

[bakert]

Another vote for HS6 for .357 target loads. Also I've shot thousand of
.38s in my .357s with no problems whatsoever.. Just brush the chambers out occasionally and clean with solvent later.

 

[Paul "Fitz" Jones]

357>38 target

Why bother putting wear on good .357 cases costing more for the strong heads and length. If you have some .357 cases starting mouth splits then trim them shorter and just use standard .38 target loads.
I settled on WW231 when it was invented and have not found any reason to change as is shape does not slide like bullseye and other powders on an automated or progressive press loading at speed. Its spherical shape has it meter very accurately, it is less likely to clump or stain powder magazine tubes like other powders and I have a lifetime supply anyway.

When something is made good there is always competition but now-a-days newer is not always better. If anyone still posses grand parents tools it was because they were cared for, made to last and not wear out like many things bought today.

I believe in tried and true products.

If you are shooting at 25 yard or even 50 yards it can be done with .38 casings shooting the same bullets you will use in your .357.

I use .38 casings in my 1970's falling block Martini rifle and .357 cases loaded to 2,000fps in my 1892 Winchesters. The latter painted red with a marking pen to not be used in any of our ranch pistols. I use WW231 for every range.

There is a .38, .38 special and .357 magnum cartridges each made longer to keep the more powerfully loaded cases from being used in older weaker pistols.

Many times when a new officer fired a poor score on my range he would inspect his fired cases carefully and blamed any poor bullet holes in his targets on any "Bad" cases that he found. Older officers would watch with smiles as I pulled out a can with loaded rounds that had some pretty badly split cases and I would ask the officer to pull out a selection of the worst split cases he could find. I would then fire a DX score with them negating his blaming a tiny case mouth crack for his flyers that happens in firing of much reloaded police brass inventory til I scrapped them.

On my police range I have loaded and shot .38 cases that were completely split accurately they were stored in a dry cabinet and they held their powder until they were fired and the case head sealed without any problems. I did that as a part of a Survival Seminar I taught to show some severely worn cases could still be fired safely and that it only applied to the .38 caliber cases at that time.

 

[Steve C]

For a moderate powered magnum target load I use 6.0 to 6.5 grs of Unique behind a 158gr LSWC. This load runs to the + side of a 1,000 fps from a 4" pistol. Has a little more punch than a +P .38 spl. When I want to shoot mild loads I shoot .38's.

 

[HSMITH]

I use Bullseye or Clays for target loads. Power Pistol for midrange and magnums. H110/w296 for heavy bullet heavy magnums and Blue Dot for light bullet heavy magnum loads.

I have tried at least 15 powders in 357 magnum, the only one not listed that shows a lot of promise to me is 4756. I have not finished load development in 357 magnum with it, but it was impressive in the loads I have tried.

Unique with lead bullets for all but heavy magnum loads, Unique works amazingly well with lead bullets.

If you want middle of the road magnums a heavy charge of Bullseye or a lower end charge of Power Pistol will be awfully hard to beat. Both meter great from a decent measure and are very consistent.

 

[Ol` Joe]

Bullseye has worked for years.

 

[Nhsport]

For a mid range plinking load with regular bullets I like Unique.
The most accurate load I have found to be just great in any .357 is:
.357 case
Hornaday hollow base full wadcutter (this comes lubed with a silver lube-moly?)
3.3 gr Bullseye
Winchester Magnum primer
very lightly bell case mouth,set bullet dead flush and set crimp die to just take out the bell to make the case completely straight with no crimp

 

[SASS#23149]

Especially since you are farily new to reloading..
and because I like the idea of a nearly full case of powder,the new Trail Boss is a great low to mid range powder.It was especailly developed to be a case-filing lower-powered powder and it does all that very nicely.VERY little chance of double loading a case,especially a smaller case.
All of the powder companies have a section for 'cowboy loads' these days,and the upper end of those loads is what I"d suggest.The starting loads are just plain wimpy for the folks who want NO recoil.
What fun is that !!??

 

[Pumpkinheaver]

I've used bullseye for years to load target loads for .357 and .41 mag. One potential problem with this powder is you have to make sure you don't get more than one charge in your cases as multiple charges will fit. You must be very vigalint while loading(you should be anyway). I have been thinking about switching to the new trailboss for all my light target loads as everything I've read says this is probably hard to beat for this use.

 

[Daryll]

Good day gentlemen...

Here in the Uk, most of you will know, we're not allowed handguns any more.... but I'm not bitter... much...

Anyway, my pet target .357 load is 4.0gn of Red Dot, behind a 125gn jacketed TC bullet in my Marlin 1894.

... generally the lighter the bullet, the lighter the recoil...

Like someone said earlier, I prefer to use .357 cases to prevent the chamber fouling.

This is a nice light, accurate load in the rifle, and I'm sure it would also work in any suitable handgun.

I've just bought some 125 gn lead bullets, and I'm planning on using the same load for those... although it may need tinkering with.

I'll let you know what happens...