Recipes for 357 mag?

ctjoe · January 16, 2011, 06:03 PM

My friend said he would help me reload my 357 cases. I shoot at range so I am looking for a mild 357 shot nothing HOT. I would rather not shoot the 38 round as the 357 is better for accuracy. Any Recipes?

700cdl · January 16, 2011, 07:11 PM

I shoot and load a lot of .357 mag. and have discovered a load that contradicted my expectations, and that of my Son's who shoot a bunch of my hand loads too. My high velocity load which is 110 gr. and 125 grain jacked bullets loaded with H110 or 296, are very uncomfartable to shoot because of heavy recoil, so that is certainly not the load of choice for you. But while trying to work up another high velocity load, which is what I prefer to shoot, I desiced on a 158 gr. jacketed bullet. I used the same powders,
H110 and 296, and loaded up at the maximum charge of 16.4 grains of 296. I was expecting a much heavier recoil, especially since they chronographed at nearly 1300 fps., This load was so nice I've decided to make it my self defense load. I don't know what gun you are shooting, but I fired these out of S&W model 66-5 and a Taurus model 608. The little S&W is a snub nosed and ususally leaves me with a sore wrist with full magnum loads, but these loads didn't even make it necessary to use a two hand hold. Try those 158s with 296 or H110 , I think you'll like them. I used Hornady XTPs.
Here is some data:
W-296 - 14.3 grains to 16.4 grains
H110 - 14.1 grains to 17.0 grains
DO NOT REDUCE THESE POWDER CHARGES BELOW THE MINIMUM OR PRESSURES INCREASE BEYOND A SAFE RANGE!

AlaskaMike · January 16, 2011, 07:11 PM

Most of what you're looking for can be found in loading manuals. Midrange .357 mag loads are extremely common.

My personal favorite midrange .357 load uses a 158 grain SWC over 231 powder for about 900 fps velocity out of my 4" S&W model 28.

AlaskaMike · January 16, 2011, 07:17 PM

700cdl, where did you get that load data? The reason I ask is that the minimum charge weights you cite are more than 12% less than the max. Virtually all manuals warn not to decrease charges more than 3, 5, or 10%, depending on the particular manual when using H110/W296.

It's also worth pointing out that the original poster is interested in mild loads, so H110/W296 isn't a good powder for consideration. It's a powder that's only appropriate for full-house magnum loads.

Doodlebugger45 · January 16, 2011, 07:41 PM

I have found several very mild .357 loads. The only one I remember off the top of my head used 4.6 gr of W231 with a 158 gr cast bullet. Very accurate and no leading from my Blackhawk. For more power, I use a 158 gr JHP with 16.0 gr of W-296 or H-110. Also very accurate but recoil is not severe with a larger revolver.

I have had good luck with True Blue as well but I can't remember the weight right now.

mnhntr · January 16, 2011, 08:35 PM

for mild 357s I like Hodgdons Tightgroup

zippy13 · January 16, 2011, 08:42 PM

If you want a light recoiling paper puncher, consider a 148-gr lead WC over 2.8-gr of Bullseye. Fun to shoot and inexpensive to reload.

jhansman · January 17, 2011, 09:57 PM

My favorite .357 mag load is 5 gr. of Titegroup under a 158gr. LSWC. Very accurate in my GP100 and I can shoot it all day.

Clark · January 18, 2011, 04:29 AM

I have a newer 357 mag with rough chambers, so I have to load it wimpy.
158 gr JHP 6 gr W231 and that is about all it will do and extract nicely.

spacecoast · January 18, 2011, 06:13 AM

Mine is 5.4 gr. of Titegroup under a 158 gr. plated bullet, very comfortable from a 6" 686.

5.3 gr. of Unique under a 158 LSWC is a good .38 spc. +P load, should work quite well in the .357 as well as a mild load.

overkill0084 · January 18, 2011, 11:01 AM

The .38 spec vs. .357 accuracy difference is mostly theoretical, IMHO. I prefer .357 based loads simply because I don't need to deal with the carbon ring that builds up.
I found an extremely accurate load for my Colt recently:
6.6 of Accurate#5 pushing a 158 gr LSWC, CCI 500, Winchester .357 brass. This is too hot for .38 but super mild for .357.

Lee has a few good ones in the .38 +P section of their manual. Worth a look.

zxcvbob · January 18, 2011, 11:26 AM

What powders do you have?

Try any 158 grain bullet (jacketed or cast doesn't matter) or 148 grain DEWC with about 4.0 grains of Red Dot.

Or look up ".38 Special +P" or .38 Super Auto load data for whatever components you have, and load that in .357 brass instead of .38

crowbeaner · January 18, 2011, 06:59 PM

If you need a good reliable accurate midrange load, try 11.0 of 2400 under a 158 Speer swaged lead bullet. You can shoot hardcast as well with the same load. Standard primers, and a good firm roll crimp to make it all burn. I shot a LOT of 150 hardcast over 9.0 of 4756 for years, but IMR has detuned their data since then. Make sure the cast bullets are sized to .358" to seal the chambers. There are many good loads under the Hodgdon site, you just have to try them and see what your particular gun likes. That's the beauty of handloading.

GP100man · January 18, 2011, 10:37 PM

Just be aware of the powders that will work the best for your application will not fill the case & many have room for alot more powder , Titegroup is 1 that was mentioned ,I use CLAYS alot it`s another & 4.0 grs. of RD is not much either!! But all these are excellent midrange powders for the 357.

I load in batches , meaning I size all the cases then move on to the next step wth all the cases & when I charge em all I look under good lite with em in a loading block to see the powder levels to see if they all look the same & when satisfied seat bullets .

This simple step has kept me out of trouble a few times , mainly powder hanging in the dispenser , & gives me peace-of-mind !

You & your friend enjoy yourselves & stay focused on the task at hand , wish I had someone to take me under there wing when I started this madness!!!

GURU1911 · January 18, 2011, 10:50 PM

My favorite do-anything recipe since 1975. Comfortable, accurate, & cheap to shoot: 158 hard cast lead swc---6.0 unique---win sp primer

700cdl · January 19, 2011, 01:09 AM

Hello there AlaskaMike,
That data is Hornady data out of the One Book/ One Caliber manual which is consistent with other sources as well. Speer data is actually reduced more than that which does concern me. I noticed that in the most recent data from Speer, they increased the minimum charge and max charge with those powders. I've been loading with those for many years and have always stayed away from minimum load data. And regarding my reason for posting that data in the first place, is it was so nice to shoot with very low recoil. Not so with the 125 grain bullet or the 110 grain bullet using those powders. And yes, he did ask for middle of the road loads, and I did reiterate the fact that this powder isn't typical of that, but the particular load with 158 JHP felt nice to shoot.

spacecoast · January 19, 2011, 06:32 AM

Quote:

powders that will work the best for your application will not fill the case... when I charge em all I look under good lite with em in a loading block

GP100Man -

Good point, when I charge (with a dipper), I move the cases from the empty pile to the full pile (in rows) and that way it's pretty much impossible to double-charge a case. I tried the loading block but found it was easy to forget where I was. Even so, I still look at all of them with a light before moving on to seating the bullets.

AlaskaMike · January 19, 2011, 11:51 AM

700cdl, re: H110/296 load data:

Quote:

That data is Hornady data out of the One Book/ One Caliber manual which is consistent with other sources as well. Speer data is actually reduced more than that which does concern me. I noticed that in the most recent data from Speer, they increased the minimum charge and max charge with those powders.

That's interesting. We hear virtually constant warnings urging us to not reduce from the max load by more than a tiny amount, and then we come across published data like this. I want to go over my own manuals now and see how many have a similar discrepancy. I guess it just goes to highlight the fact that manuals are guides, not gospel.

wild willy · January 19, 2011, 02:18 PM

700cdl those loads may be listed in One book/ One caliber but they are over max In the newer Hornady,Hodgon,and Speer manuals

AlaskaMike · January 19, 2011, 03:09 PM

Max loads for H110/296 have dropped noticeably across pretty much all the data sources. Lyman #48 actually has the max for certain 158 grain bullets being somewhere just above 17 grains if I remember correctly. I'm sure Lyman 49 has reduced that.

It's also understandable that Hornady data from the One Load booklets is different from the current Hornady manual--the data that companies sell the publisher of those booklets sell them older data, not their current stuff.

zxcvbob · January 19, 2011, 04:17 PM

Y'all realize he asked about light loads? 296 and H110 will not work for light loads.

spacecoast · January 19, 2011, 04:24 PM

Quote:

Y'all realize he asked about light loads?

Funny how a lot of .357 threads end up talking about H110 no matter how they started. JFTR, my first contribution on this thread was on topic.

mikld · January 19, 2011, 06:10 PM

If you are going to reload any ammo, get a reloading manual, or three. Look in your manual for a +P 38 Special load and use that in .357 Brass.

zxcvbob · January 19, 2011, 06:42 PM

Quote:

Funny how a lot of .357 threads end up talking about H110 no matter how they started. JFTR, my first contribution on this thread was on topic.

My middle-of-the-road .357 Magnum load is 8.0 grains of Herco with a 158 grain SWC, and I've started playing around with 7.0 grains of WSF with a 148 grain DEWC (not a light load by any means.)

AlaskaMike · January 19, 2011, 08:49 PM

zxcvbob wrote:

Quote:

Y'all realize he asked about light loads? 296 and H110 will not work for light loads.

You missed a post or two. 700cdl brought it up, I pointed out that the original poster was specifically looking for light loads, and then 700cdl mentioned his reasons for bringing up H110/296. The thread just sort of forked for a bit there, no biggie.

January 16, 2011, 06:03 PM	#1
ctjoe Member Join Date: April 15, 2007 Posts: 39	Recipes for 357 mag? My friend said he would help me reload my 357 cases. I shoot at range so I am looking for a mild 357 shot nothing HOT. I would rather not shoot the 38 round as the 357 is better for accuracy. Any Recipes?

January 17, 2011, 09:57 PM	#8
jhansman Senior Member Join Date: June 17, 2007 Posts: 680	My favorite .357 mag load is 5 gr. of Titegroup under a 158gr. LSWC. Very accurate in my GP100 and I can shoot it all day. __________________ Blessed is the man who has nothing to say, and cannot be compelled to say it.

January 18, 2011, 06:13 AM	#10
spacecoast Senior Member Join Date: October 14, 2009 Location: Sunshine and Keystone States Posts: 4,461	Mine is 5.4 gr. of Titegroup under a 158 gr. plated bullet, very comfortable from a 6" 686. 5.3 gr. of Unique under a 158 LSWC is a good .38 spc. +P load, should work quite well in the .357 as well as a mild load. Last edited by spacecoast; January 18, 2011 at 09:15 PM.

January 18, 2011, 11:01 AM	#11
overkill0084 Senior Member Join Date: August 7, 2010 Location: Northern, UT Posts: 1,162	The .38 spec vs. .357 accuracy difference is mostly theoretical, IMHO. I prefer .357 based loads simply because I don't need to deal with the carbon ring that builds up. I found an extremely accurate load for my Colt recently: 6.6 of Accurate#5 pushing a 158 gr LSWC, CCI 500, Winchester .357 brass. This is too hot for .38 but super mild for .357. Lee has a few good ones in the .38 +P section of their manual. Worth a look. __________________ Cheers, Greg “At the core of liberalism is the spoiled child – miserable, as all spoiled children are, unsatisfied, demanding, ill-disciplined, despotic and useless. Liberalism is a philosophy of sniveling brats.” — P.J. O’Rourke Last edited by overkill0084; January 18, 2011 at 11:09 AM.

January 18, 2011, 11:26 AM	#12
zxcvbob Senior Member Join Date: December 20, 2007 Location: S.E. Minnesota Posts: 4,720	What powders do you have? Try any 158 grain bullet (jacketed or cast doesn't matter) or 148 grain DEWC with about 4.0 grains of Red Dot. Or look up ".38 Special +P" or .38 Super Auto load data for whatever components you have, and load that in .357 brass instead of .38 __________________ "Everything they do is so dramatic and flamboyant. It just makes me want to set myself on fire!" —Lucille Bluth

January 16, 2011, 07:11 PM	#2
700cdl Senior Member Join Date: December 6, 2010 Posts: 216	I shoot and load a lot of .357 mag. and have discovered a load that contradicted my expectations, and that of my Son's who shoot a bunch of my hand loads too. My high velocity load which is 110 gr. and 125 grain jacked bullets loaded with H110 or 296, are very uncomfartable to shoot because of heavy recoil, so that is certainly not the load of choice for you. But while trying to work up another high velocity load, which is what I prefer to shoot, I desiced on a 158 gr. jacketed bullet. I used the same powders, H110 and 296, and loaded up at the maximum charge of 16.4 grains of 296. I was expecting a much heavier recoil, especially since they chronographed at nearly 1300 fps., This load was so nice I've decided to make it my self defense load. I don't know what gun you are shooting, but I fired these out of S&W model 66-5 and a Taurus model 608. The little S&W is a snub nosed and ususally leaves me with a sore wrist with full magnum loads, but these loads didn't even make it necessary to use a two hand hold. Try those 158s with 296 or H110 , I think you'll like them. I used Hornady XTPs. Here is some data: W-296 - 14.3 grains to 16.4 grains H110 - 14.1 grains to 17.0 grains DO NOT REDUCE THESE POWDER CHARGES BELOW THE MINIMUM OR PRESSURES INCREASE BEYOND A SAFE RANGE!

January 16, 2011, 07:11 PM	#3
AlaskaMike Senior Member Join Date: September 26, 2005 Posts: 941	Most of what you're looking for can be found in loading manuals. Midrange .357 mag loads are extremely common. My personal favorite midrange .357 load uses a 158 grain SWC over 231 powder for about 900 fps velocity out of my 4" S&W model 28.

January 16, 2011, 07:17 PM	#4
AlaskaMike Senior Member Join Date: September 26, 2005 Posts: 941	700cdl, where did you get that load data? The reason I ask is that the minimum charge weights you cite are more than 12% less than the max. Virtually all manuals warn not to decrease charges more than 3, 5, or 10%, depending on the particular manual when using H110/W296. It's also worth pointing out that the original poster is interested in mild loads, so H110/W296 isn't a good powder for consideration. It's a powder that's only appropriate for full-house magnum loads.

January 16, 2011, 07:41 PM	#5
Doodlebugger45 Senior Member Join Date: April 15, 2009 Location: Wyoming Posts: 1,717	I have found several very mild .357 loads. The only one I remember off the top of my head used 4.6 gr of W231 with a 158 gr cast bullet. Very accurate and no leading from my Blackhawk. For more power, I use a 158 gr JHP with 16.0 gr of W-296 or H-110. Also very accurate but recoil is not severe with a larger revolver. I have had good luck with True Blue as well but I can't remember the weight right now.

January 16, 2011, 08:35 PM	#6
mnhntr Senior Member Join Date: April 9, 2008 Posts: 972	for mild 357s I like Hodgdons Tightgroup

January 16, 2011, 08:42 PM	#7
zippy13 Senior Member Join Date: August 23, 2008 Location: SoCal Posts: 6,442	If you want a light recoiling paper puncher, consider a 148-gr lead WC over 2.8-gr of Bullseye. Fun to shoot and inexpensive to reload.

January 18, 2011, 04:29 AM	#9
Clark Senior Member Join Date: December 4, 1999 Location: WA, the ever blue state Posts: 4,678	I have a newer 357 mag with rough chambers, so I have to load it wimpy. 158 gr JHP 6 gr W231 and that is about all it will do and extract nicely.

January 18, 2011, 06:59 PM	#13
crowbeaner Senior Member Join Date: June 4, 2007 Location: Upstate SC Posts: 1,943	If you need a good reliable accurate midrange load, try 11.0 of 2400 under a 158 Speer swaged lead bullet. You can shoot hardcast as well with the same load. Standard primers, and a good firm roll crimp to make it all burn. I shot a LOT of 150 hardcast over 9.0 of 4756 for years, but IMR has detuned their data since then. Make sure the cast bullets are sized to .358" to seal the chambers. There are many good loads under the Hodgdon site, you just have to try them and see what your particular gun likes. That's the beauty of handloading. __________________ If you want your children to follow in your footsteps, be careful where you walk. Beware the man that only owns one gun; he probably knows how to use it. I just hope my ship comes in before my dock rots.

January 18, 2011, 10:37 PM	#14
GP100man Senior Member Join Date: August 1, 2007 Location: Tabor City , NC. Posts: 1,969	Just be aware of the powders that will work the best for your application will not fill the case & many have room for alot more powder , Titegroup is 1 that was mentioned ,I use CLAYS alot it`s another & 4.0 grs. of RD is not much either!! But all these are excellent midrange powders for the 357. I load in batches , meaning I size all the cases then move on to the next step wth all the cases & when I charge em all I look under good lite with em in a loading block to see the powder levels to see if they all look the same & when satisfied seat bullets . This simple step has kept me out of trouble a few times , mainly powder hanging in the dispenser , & gives me peace-of-mind ! You & your friend enjoy yourselves & stay focused on the task at hand , wish I had someone to take me under there wing when I started this madness!!! __________________ GP100man

January 18, 2011, 10:50 PM	#15
GURU1911 Senior Member Join Date: December 22, 2010 Location: SEALY, THE REPUBLIC OF TEXAS Posts: 501	.357 eazy shooting loads My favorite do-anything recipe since 1975. Comfortable, accurate, & cheap to shoot: 158 hard cast lead swc---6.0 unique---win sp primer

January 19, 2011, 01:09 AM	#16
700cdl Senior Member Join Date: December 6, 2010 Posts: 216	Hello there AlaskaMike, That data is Hornady data out of the One Book/ One Caliber manual which is consistent with other sources as well. Speer data is actually reduced more than that which does concern me. I noticed that in the most recent data from Speer, they increased the minimum charge and max charge with those powders. I've been loading with those for many years and have always stayed away from minimum load data. And regarding my reason for posting that data in the first place, is it was so nice to shoot with very low recoil. Not so with the 125 grain bullet or the 110 grain bullet using those powders. And yes, he did ask for middle of the road loads, and I did reiterate the fact that this powder isn't typical of that, but the particular load with 158 JHP felt nice to shoot.

January 19, 2011, 02:18 PM	#19
wild willy Senior Member Join Date: March 8, 2006 Posts: 404	700cdl those loads may be listed in One book/ One caliber but they are over max In the newer Hornady,Hodgon,and Speer manuals

January 19, 2011, 03:09 PM	#20
AlaskaMike Senior Member Join Date: September 26, 2005 Posts: 941	Max loads for H110/296 have dropped noticeably across pretty much all the data sources. Lyman #48 actually has the max for certain 158 grain bullets being somewhere just above 17 grains if I remember correctly. I'm sure Lyman 49 has reduced that. It's also understandable that Hornady data from the One Load booklets is different from the current Hornady manual--the data that companies sell the publisher of those booklets sell them older data, not their current stuff.

January 19, 2011, 04:17 PM	#21
zxcvbob Senior Member Join Date: December 20, 2007 Location: S.E. Minnesota Posts: 4,720	Y'all realize he asked about light loads? 296 and H110 will not work for light loads. __________________ "Everything they do is so dramatic and flamboyant. It just makes me want to set myself on fire!" —Lucille Bluth

January 19, 2011, 06:10 PM	#23
mikld Senior Member Join Date: February 7, 2009 Location: Southern Oregon! Posts: 2,891	If you are going to reload any ammo, get a reloading manual, or three. Look in your manual for a +P 38 Special load and use that in .357 Brass. __________________ My Anchor is holding fast! I've learned how to stand on my own two knees...

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