Reloading .357 mag
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Ed Jaws
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Welcome to The High Road Ubermeier.
Probably best to describe what kind of loads you're looking to build. Full power magnum, light powder puff load, or something in between?
Probably best to describe what kind of loads you're looking to build. Full power magnum, light powder puff load, or something in between?
Reefinmike
Member
H110/w296 and 158gr is a great combo. I like Powder coated lead bullets.
ArchAngelCD
Member.
I use mostly three powders for all my handgun loading. My powder trinity is W231/HP-38, HS-6/W540 and W296/H110. I put those pairs of powders together because they are exactly the same according to Hodgdon/Winchester.
I use almost any brass although Winchester is my probable favorite. I use mostly CCI and Winchester primers because they work well. For range use I mostly load lead bullets or coated lead bullets.
When loading very light .357 Magnum loads with lead bullets I use W231. For real magnum pressures and velocities I move to a slower powder, HS-6. I have found HS-6 to be very accurate with lead bullets. For full power magnum loads you will find W296/H110 hard to beat.
If you want to stay away from magnum primers which are recommended with both HS-6 and W296 you can use Alliant 2400. 2400 can be use for full power loads and downloaded to middle pressure loads too, all with standard primers.
Today there are plenty of good powders for full power .357 Magnum loads.
The include: Alliant 2400, Power Pro 300-MP, Accurate #9, Ramshot Enforcer, W296/H110, Hodgdon Lil'Gun and possibly AA4100 and IMR4227 but those two are better in the .44 Magnum.
As you see there are plenty of good choices and all will serve you well.
Good luck and welcome to the forum. Don't forget the range report...
I use almost any brass although Winchester is my probable favorite. I use mostly CCI and Winchester primers because they work well. For range use I mostly load lead bullets or coated lead bullets.
When loading very light .357 Magnum loads with lead bullets I use W231. For real magnum pressures and velocities I move to a slower powder, HS-6. I have found HS-6 to be very accurate with lead bullets. For full power magnum loads you will find W296/H110 hard to beat.
If you want to stay away from magnum primers which are recommended with both HS-6 and W296 you can use Alliant 2400. 2400 can be use for full power loads and downloaded to middle pressure loads too, all with standard primers.
Today there are plenty of good powders for full power .357 Magnum loads.
The include: Alliant 2400, Power Pro 300-MP, Accurate #9, Ramshot Enforcer, W296/H110, Hodgdon Lil'Gun and possibly AA4100 and IMR4227 but those two are better in the .44 Magnum.
As you see there are plenty of good choices and all will serve you well.
Good luck and welcome to the forum. Don't forget the range report...
OP
OP
Ubermeier
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Thanks ArchAngel, a lot of information there on a few powders I was already considering. I was thinking H110, but now I am interested in Alliant 2400 for the versitility. I wasn't aware it could be used with regular small pistol primers. This is why I came here, a lot of experience out there I am happy to learn from.
Buckeye357
Member
I like 158 gr LSWC's , I use magnum primers for all loads ,makes life easier one type works well with everything,Federal, Winchester or CCI ,Starline brass when buying new that I deburr one time.
.Powders I use the most are AA No. 2 ,700 X,Trail Boss for light loads,AA No. 5,Win 231,700X,and 2400 for medium loads and 2400,and Win 296 for my heavy magnum loads. Reloading 357 magnum is my favorite caliber because you have so many different powders, bullet types and weights to choose from you can easily load mild 38 special type to full 357magnum with great results.
.Powders I use the most are AA No. 2 ,700 X,Trail Boss for light loads,AA No. 5,Win 231,700X,and 2400 for medium loads and 2400,and Win 296 for my heavy magnum loads. Reloading 357 magnum is my favorite caliber because you have so many different powders, bullet types and weights to choose from you can easily load mild 38 special type to full 357magnum with great results.
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ArchAngelCD
Member.
I'm glad to help. I don't use 2400 because it, along with Unique are the first powders to disappear from the shelves when any rumor hits the mill. I also sometimes load a 170gr or 180gr bullet in the .357 and H110/W296 does a better job than 2400 which is faster than H110. Also, during shortages SPM primers are usually available longer than SPP so you have time to buy. Of course it's all your choice, I'm just providing information.
Ed Jaws
Member
Good luck finding 2400 and if you do, stock up as much as you can afford. My preferences run to ball powder and I've used AA#7, AA#9, and Ramshot Enforcer with good results. They're all pretty clean burning and only need SPP.
I also prefer 158 gr bullets and one of my favorites for lighter target loads is X-treme SWC plated for nice round holes in targets. You can't push them to full magnum load velocities though. CCI is my go to primer.
There's plenty of talk about not dropping the powder charge down too much if using H110, W296. Do not decrease the charge to below minimum listed data, and use a magnum primer. Load data here:
http://www.hodgdonreloading.com/
I also prefer 158 gr bullets and one of my favorites for lighter target loads is X-treme SWC plated for nice round holes in targets. You can't push them to full magnum load velocities though. CCI is my go to primer.
There's plenty of talk about not dropping the powder charge down too much if using H110, W296. Do not decrease the charge to below minimum listed data, and use a magnum primer. Load data here:
http://www.hodgdonreloading.com/
Reefinmike
Member
I like 15.7gr h110 with a 158gr(164gr as cast) powder coated lead for what i consider my every day plinking magnums. They really arent too much to handle from a 6". Clock in at 1342.
Lilgun really gets them cooking along at 1550fps.
Edit-important to note I use small pistol magnum or small rifle charges and a firmroll crimp for these loads.
Lilgun really gets them cooking along at 1550fps.
Edit-important to note I use small pistol magnum or small rifle charges and a firmroll crimp for these loads.
Reloadron
Contributing Member
Me? Overall a 158 grain SWC bullet for basic shooting and I also like 148 grain wad cutters (DEWC). If I get fancy and use more expensive bullets I like the Hornady XTP 125 grain bullets. Primers I like and use CCI but also have used Winchester and Federal primers with equal results. Powder choices I like are Unique and Winchester 296 with VihtaVuori powders tossed in every now and then. These combinations are used in a variety of S&W and Colt revolvers.
Ron
Reeferman
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If you want the Big Bang and flash then 296 with a 125 fmj loaded with data from www.hodgdonreloading.com/. Some may or may not agree.
Three bullets I cast and use, 173 grain Keith 358429, 150 grain 358477, and 158 grain 358156 GC.
Powders are 2400 and Unique for something liter.
Any small pistol primer except Sellier and Bellot, too soft for high pressure. I do use a lot of small rifle primers in my heavier loads.
Powders are 2400 and Unique for something liter.
Any small pistol primer except Sellier and Bellot, too soft for high pressure. I do use a lot of small rifle primers in my heavier loads.
Jesse Heywood
Member
My 3 top powders with 158 LSWC are Alliant Unique, IMR 4227 & 800-X
tomingreeneco
Member
Nobody has mentioned Accurate #9. I use it a lot in .357 mag. with 158gr RNFP coated bullets.
ArchAngelCD
Member.
I mentioned AA#9 in Post #5 and yes, it is a good powder too.
For reloading or hand loading the .357 mag I use pretty much any brass that has been accumulated over the last 40 years. I have at times bought new untrimmed or primed brass when found on sale as well as range pick ups and brass from friends that do not reload.
Primers I use are generaly any that I find at reasonable prices. Probably have used more Winchesters than any others over the years but have all the common ones by CCI and Federal along with Fiocchi and currently have some S&B . Never did use many Remington's just because they don't go on sale often. Ball powders get magnum primers where they're recommended and others get standard primers.
For bullets I like Remington or Winchester Bulk in 125 or 158gr but load Speer, Sierra, and Hornady also. For practice I generally shoot .38 spl loaded with 158gr lead in either SWC or RN and usually have a box or 2 or full power .357mag SWC 158gr hard cast loaded using AA9 to 1,250 fps out of a 4" barrel.
As far as powder goes will use anything that I can find data for but my favorites are 2400 for 158gr and heavier jacked bullets, Blue Dot for 140gr and under, Unique or W231 for .38 spl. W296/H110 for Rifle. Unique or AA9 for cast depending upon what velocity I'm looking for.
Primers I use are generaly any that I find at reasonable prices. Probably have used more Winchesters than any others over the years but have all the common ones by CCI and Federal along with Fiocchi and currently have some S&B . Never did use many Remington's just because they don't go on sale often. Ball powders get magnum primers where they're recommended and others get standard primers.
For bullets I like Remington or Winchester Bulk in 125 or 158gr but load Speer, Sierra, and Hornady also. For practice I generally shoot .38 spl loaded with 158gr lead in either SWC or RN and usually have a box or 2 or full power .357mag SWC 158gr hard cast loaded using AA9 to 1,250 fps out of a 4" barrel.
As far as powder goes will use anything that I can find data for but my favorites are 2400 for 158gr and heavier jacked bullets, Blue Dot for 140gr and under, Unique or W231 for .38 spl. W296/H110 for Rifle. Unique or AA9 for cast depending upon what velocity I'm looking for.
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RealGun
Member
Do you have a credible source for 300-MP and lead bullets?
RealGun
Member
Because the .357 case is tall and narrow, making a visual powder check a challenge, I use powders with good volume as a practical matter. HS-6, A2400, AA#9, and others are high up on the VMD charts. For target loads, take a look at BE-86, which serves pretty much the same as Unique but measures better and burns cleaner.
I have an excess of SPM primers, so just picked up a pound of W296 to add to my open jar supply of H110. That is another practical decision on which powder to use.
Most of my .357 Magnum guns aren't big enough for full power loads in my hands, but I have a .357 rifle.
I have an excess of SPM primers, so just picked up a pound of W296 to add to my open jar supply of H110. That is another practical decision on which powder to use.
Most of my .357 Magnum guns aren't big enough for full power loads in my hands, but I have a .357 rifle.
ArchAngelCD
Member.
Last time I saw 300-MP was at Cabela's over a month ago. It seems to be rare.
I have been buying lead and coated lead bullets from the Missouri Bullet Company over the past few years. They sell a quality product at a fair price and deliver excellent service. There are a few others I used to use but the MBC makes everything I load for so I stick with them now.
buck460XVR
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If you are completely new to reloading for handgun, I recommend you stick with jacketed bullets to start. They are a tad more forgiving than lead and the easiest to have success with. You also do not have to "fit" them to your bore and throats. Since jacketed are also generally more accurate than plated, it's easier to see if your loads are accurate. I also suggest to new reloaders that they do not buy components(especially bullets) other than primers in bulk since the only way to find out if they work well in your firearm, is to try 'em. Just cause they work well in Uncle Bobs pistol does not mean they will work well in your or for you. Ain;t no bargin or cost savings having 2000 bullets sittin' on the bench you are hesitant to use. Sending inappropriate or inaccurate bullets downrange using good powder and primers is not saving you money either. IME, not a lot of difference between primers as long as one sticks to reputable brands. Once you get the feel for it, you can expand to lead if you want. Once you find components your gun and you like you can start investing in large quantities. As for the best loads and components, your reloading manuals will tell you this. Most will give a "most accurate" powder or load recipe and most will give recommendations for the powders that worked best for them.
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