Fellow forum member VenomBallistics provided me with prototype .357 Lead Hollow Points weighing 137 grains to test. I don't claim any particular expertise or skill, just a love of working with handguns and reloading. Here are my results for you to use as you see fit.
CAUTION: The following post may include loading data beyond currently published maximums for this cartridge or may exceed safe limits for your weapon. USE AT YOUR OWN RISK. Neither the writer or this forum assume any liability for any damage or injury resulting from use of this information.
Hat tip to jfh, ArchAngelCD and many other members of this fine forum for information and encouragement in the art of handloading.
137 grain Venom Ballistics .357 Lead Hollow points:
All loads used Starline .357 Magnum brass, CCI 500 primers.
First range day: 5/17/08 77 degrees, 41% humidity, wind S @ 10mph.
7.5 grains Unique
Ruger SP101 3"/ 1173fps avg./SD 21.5/ES 75
Smith 340MP 1.87"/ 1034fps avg./SD 15/ES 46
9 grains SR4756
Ruger SP101 3"/ 1176 avg./SD 33.9/ES 123
Smith 340MP 1.87"/ 1048 avg./SD 30.1/ES 95
8.8 grains Power Pistol
Ruger SP101 3"/ 1200 avg./SD 14.9/ES 49
Smith 340MP 1.87"/ 1064 avg./SD 13.5/ES 42
Second range day: 5/25/08, 89 degrees, 55% humidity, wind NW @ 17mph.
Penetration test using 8.8 grains of Power Pistol:
Shot into plastic trash barrel, penetrated 20+ inches of water and bottom of barrel, recovered in dirt. Expanded to .480":
8.8 Power Pistol:
Smith 640 2"/ 1125fps avg./SD 14.4/ES 40
Smith 66 3"/ 1235fps avg./SD 8/ES 26
20 yard target with Smith 66 3" (new gun to me, later adjusted sights after all loads printed high, now shoots to point of aim):
7.8 grains AA #5:
Ruger SP101 3"/ 969fps avg./SD 20.9/ES 54.6
Smith 340 1.87"/ 889fps avg./SD 16.9/ES 52.2
Smith 640 2"/ 873fps avg./SD 12.3/ES 32.8
Smith 66 3"/ 990fps avg./SD 11.9/ES 35.1
Wrapped up the test shooting quick controlled pairs at 10 yards with the 7.8 grain AA #5 from the 340 and 8.8 grain Power Pistol from the 640:
And, just to show that I can shoot a decent group, here's a 20 yard 5 shot group from a custom 3" Smith 1917 shooting .45AR/255 LSWC/6 grains Unique (779fps avg./SD 16.8/ES 46.7):
Conclusions:
1. My eyes have aged to where I have a hard time focusing on the front sight for precision shooting.
2. That, coupled with light weight short barreled guns, affected the accuracy testing.
3. I need to keep practicing, particularly with my primary carry guns, the 340MP and 640. As you can see from my choice of weapons, my main interest is in personal defense, not long range target shooting. All the weapons have either XS Big Dot or fiber optic front sights, except for the 1917, which has a gold inlay on the blade.
4. My intent was to find handloads comparable to the Speer 135 GDHP SB in .38+P and .357. The 7.8 AA#5 load matches well with the .38+P Speer load; and the 8.8 Power Pistol load matches well with the .357 Speer load. The 137 grain LHP's work well for this purpose.
5. It's great to get outside and do some shooting!
CAUTION: The following post may include loading data beyond currently published maximums for this cartridge or may exceed safe limits for your weapon. USE AT YOUR OWN RISK. Neither the writer or this forum assume any liability for any damage or injury resulting from use of this information.
Hat tip to jfh, ArchAngelCD and many other members of this fine forum for information and encouragement in the art of handloading.
137 grain Venom Ballistics .357 Lead Hollow points:
All loads used Starline .357 Magnum brass, CCI 500 primers.
First range day: 5/17/08 77 degrees, 41% humidity, wind S @ 10mph.
7.5 grains Unique
Ruger SP101 3"/ 1173fps avg./SD 21.5/ES 75
Smith 340MP 1.87"/ 1034fps avg./SD 15/ES 46
9 grains SR4756
Ruger SP101 3"/ 1176 avg./SD 33.9/ES 123
Smith 340MP 1.87"/ 1048 avg./SD 30.1/ES 95
8.8 grains Power Pistol
Ruger SP101 3"/ 1200 avg./SD 14.9/ES 49
Smith 340MP 1.87"/ 1064 avg./SD 13.5/ES 42
Second range day: 5/25/08, 89 degrees, 55% humidity, wind NW @ 17mph.
Penetration test using 8.8 grains of Power Pistol:
Shot into plastic trash barrel, penetrated 20+ inches of water and bottom of barrel, recovered in dirt. Expanded to .480":
8.8 Power Pistol:
Smith 640 2"/ 1125fps avg./SD 14.4/ES 40
Smith 66 3"/ 1235fps avg./SD 8/ES 26
20 yard target with Smith 66 3" (new gun to me, later adjusted sights after all loads printed high, now shoots to point of aim):
7.8 grains AA #5:
Ruger SP101 3"/ 969fps avg./SD 20.9/ES 54.6
Smith 340 1.87"/ 889fps avg./SD 16.9/ES 52.2
Smith 640 2"/ 873fps avg./SD 12.3/ES 32.8
Smith 66 3"/ 990fps avg./SD 11.9/ES 35.1
Wrapped up the test shooting quick controlled pairs at 10 yards with the 7.8 grain AA #5 from the 340 and 8.8 grain Power Pistol from the 640:
And, just to show that I can shoot a decent group, here's a 20 yard 5 shot group from a custom 3" Smith 1917 shooting .45AR/255 LSWC/6 grains Unique (779fps avg./SD 16.8/ES 46.7):
Conclusions:
1. My eyes have aged to where I have a hard time focusing on the front sight for precision shooting.
2. That, coupled with light weight short barreled guns, affected the accuracy testing.
3. I need to keep practicing, particularly with my primary carry guns, the 340MP and 640. As you can see from my choice of weapons, my main interest is in personal defense, not long range target shooting. All the weapons have either XS Big Dot or fiber optic front sights, except for the 1917, which has a gold inlay on the blade.
4. My intent was to find handloads comparable to the Speer 135 GDHP SB in .38+P and .357. The 7.8 AA#5 load matches well with the .38+P Speer load; and the 8.8 Power Pistol load matches well with the .357 Speer load. The 137 grain LHP's work well for this purpose.
5. It's great to get outside and do some shooting!