Super accurate .357 Magnum 180 grain load

[Jose_Wales]

Can anyone recommend a super accurate 180 grain .357 Magnum load? I'm looking for some suggestions for silhouette competition. I'm going to use 180 grain Laser Cast bullets.

 

[Dave T]

It would be virtually impossible for anyone here to recommend what load will shoot in your gun. Given the variables of brass, primer, powder type, powder charge, bullet weight, bullet design, seating depth and crimp. Then consider, most every gun is an entity all to its own. The guy at the next bench with the same make and model you have will probably have a different pet load.

Get several loading manuals (Speer lists Silhouette loads) and start experimenting.

 

[ChristopherG]

No personal experience with 180 gr. .357s, but Lyman's Pistol & Revolver reloading book (2nd ed) lists as a Silhouette load a 180 gr. jacketed silhouette bullet from hornady over 15.0 grs. of H110. This is a published max load; start lower and work up.
CG

 

[Zeke Menuar]

This load is from the Laser-Cast manual. It is the same load I use when I am hiking in the woods.

8.9 - 9.3grs of Blue Dot. Speed is a little over 1100fps in my 4-inch M686. It is accurate enough to routinely hit pop cans at 25 yards.
Your mileage may vary.

ZM

 

[critter]

My old style Ruger blackhawk in .357 loves the heavy bullet loads. My suggestion is to start with the 180 gr bullet, slow powders (the 110 is a GOOD choice-blue dot MAY not be as good but ok-try 'em both) and mag primers. Start low-work up. Good luck.

 

[bedlamite]

I'll second the recommendation of 9 gr of Blue Dot. Behind a 180gr Nosler Sihlouette it gave me the best group I ever shot from my Blackhawk.

 

[WESHOOT2]

OH, THE TESTING...........

H110
W296
N110
3N37 (but be REAL careful)
AA9
and the old standbye, 2400

Heavy crimp using Redding Profile Crimp die; will increase accuracy.

 

[Gordon]

I am shooting my cast heavy bullet (173Kieth and 200 WFP ) with all the Lil Gun I can tamp in with long drop tube. Becareful I think they stop with 16.5 grains behind 180 bullet. It has given me slightly higher velocities than Win 296 or H 110 with less flash and cleaner and LESS SIGNS OF PRESSURE, but BE CAREFUL!