Recent .357 loads

[model14]

Hornaday .38 Cal 125 grn HP-XTP's have been available in my area, so I worked up a good accurate load for the .357 casing:

12.0 grains Accurate #7
1350 fps
S&W 686 6" barrel.
Win magnum primers

If you want a good accurate higher velocity load I found some 110 grn XTP's that work well with:
13.0 grains Accurate #7
1550 fps
S&W 686 6" barrel
Win magnum primer

 

[loadedround]

Are you aware that your first load is listed as the starting load in the current Speer #14 manual and your second load is just a 1/2 gr over the starting load in the same manual. This is not a put down but just pointing out you could have saved yourself some time and trouble be just referring to a good reloading manual.

 

[model14]

I thought it would be interesting to know that these are accurate loads when fired from the very popular 6" 686. I have obtained 3" groups at 100 yards from both of these loads. You may not find this information useful, but maybe some others will get something from it. There are many loads listed in the manual that are not accurate in my 686. Perhaps others have experienced the same thing.

 

[stonecoldy]

I appreciate the info. I have a Dan Wesson 15-2 with a six inch barrel, and like the 125 grain bullet choices in this caliber from revolvers.
Thanks for putting it up. I like some speed but really, really like accuracy even more.

 

[Clark]

#2
loadedround


Are you aware that your first load is listed as the starting load in the current Speer #14 manual and your second load is just a 1/2 gr over the starting load in the same manual. This is not a put down but just pointing out you could have saved yourself some time and trouble be just referring to a good reloading manual.

In handguns I usually end up hotter than in published loads, but in rifles, I work up a load, reach pressure sign, back off a safety margin, and then notice it is the same load as the Sierra manual.

Why don't I just cut to the chase and use the manual?
It would not be as much fun.

 

[JDGray]

I thought it would be interesting to know that these are accurate loads when fired from the very popular 6" 686. I have obtained 3" groups at 100 yards from both of these loads. You may not find this information useful, but maybe some others will get something from it. There are many loads listed in the manual that are not accurate in my 686. Perhaps others have experienced the same thing.

3" at 100yrds is fantastic accuracy!! This is off bags? Not a mechanical rest?

WOW!!

 

[loadedround]

Clark:
In no way am I criticizing the original poster's information, or any material contained in the Speer Manual or any other loading manual as a matter of fact. I was just pointing out that the listed "pet" loads could have been found as starting loads in said manual. You must agree however that safe reloading requires data that was proven safe under controlled conditions and not just conjured up by an alchemist, or Bubba the Bullet Bungler. Hopefully you will now agree with my post. Peace!

 

[model14]

JDGray,
Off a wooden V notch rest with a T/C Scope.

 

[model14]

loadedround,
Are you saying I can only post loads that are exactly written in a manual? I have never loaded anything that was not within the bounds of a published manuals data. The loads I posted are within the Min and Max loads in the Accurate Manual. Does that make me a Bullet Bungler?As a new poster on this site I am really confused. Help me here, what am I doing wrong?

 

[JDGray]

loadedround,
Are you saying I can only post loads that are exactly written in a manual? I have never loaded anything that was not within the bounds of a published manuals data. The loads I posted are within the Min and Max loads in the Accurate Manual. Does that make me a Bullet Bungler?As a new poster on this site I am really confused. Help me here, what am I doing wrong?

I believe he's calling Clark the bullet bungler, not you I have also found starting loads to be more accurate Post any safe load you want, you might have just saved someone a lot of load developing time, and this helpfull info is what people want.

 

[loadedround]

Clark and Model 14: I am not calling anyone names. I just made up the name "Bubba the Bullet Bungler" for a little bit of humor. You may post any and all loads that you wish and it is not my place to censure(read... put down) anyone, that's just not my thing. I am sorry if I ruffled anybody's feathers as I was just pointing out those loads were just starting loads from the Speer Manual. No further comments will be made by me.

 

[zeke]

Model 14- Am also using AA-7 and 125 jhp. 12.1 grains AA-7, Fed 200 primer, win case , Rem 125 357 golden saber @ 1.585 in is a favorite. Replicating the accuracy load in the Sierra manual, extremely accurate combination.

AA-7 appears to like a magnum primer.

 

[CSA 357]

3" @ 100 YARDS NOW THATS SHOOTING! im just glad to see your not trying to get 2000 fps, alot of folks just max them out, but you will find that hand guns are picky about what they will shoot well, looks like you have found the load for your 686. csa