Anybody got a good .357 load?

Blackhorse · November 11, 2002, 08:27 PM

Just recently picked up an S&W 27-2 6" to add to my N Frame collection. Find myself with alot of unique and AA#5, any of you folks work up a load for the old 27 thats accurate and won't pound the old smith using either of these powders?

C.R.Sam · November 11, 2002, 09:51 PM

Seems that most reloading books have numerous loads for that cartridge and Unique.

I would try some of the suggested (not max) loads and see what the gun likes.

Maby a dozen each of several loads. Some of the 27s are finicky about loads and you need to find out what YOUR gun likes.

Look at it as another way to have fun. Discovering the tastes of your new gun.

( In my book, if it has a model number, 'taint old

)

Sam

HSMITH · November 11, 2002, 10:02 PM

Pound the old girl a bit, you can spin up some BOOMERS using unique and light bullets!!!! The flash and bang is truly awesome!!! Some of the lighter loads have worked well for me too.

braindead0 · November 12, 2002, 07:16 AM

Haven't used AA#5, I sometimes use 5gr Unique behind 158gr LRN (or LSWC) for IDPA. Gets around 900fps out of 4" barells, and it's plenty accurate.

4.3gr bullseye behind 158gr LRN puts it right around 850fps

Both of these loads qualify as .38spl power, maybe +P

Shooter 973 · November 12, 2002, 05:15 PM

My own personal favorite load for 357, and the one that I shoot 98% of the time is 7 gr. of Unique under a cast 150-158 gr, slug of the shape you like best. Shoots right to the sights of my GP100 with fixed sights and is sighted in on almost all of my other 357's with adjustable sights so that they group right at the top of the front sight at 25yrds. Not a punishing load but hotter than a 38+p, into moderate 357 levels and is not a real hard kicker. Also works well on Bowling Pins.

I know that a lot of guys complain about Unique being a "Dirty" powder, but the dirt just wipes right off with a lightly oiled rag. Try this load and then try the same load with Universal Clays, they are almost exactly the same . As always standard cautions apply..

gordo b. · November 12, 2002, 09:18 PM

Shot 14 or a little better grains of 2400 thru 6 inch barrel of my N frame for 10 years (with 158-173grain hard cast bullet) work up to it and load is pleasantly dirty but 5000+ rounds had no bad effects to gun..

cheygriz · November 13, 2002, 12:59 AM

I shoot Remington 125 gr JHP bullets exclusively in my 6 inch Ruger Security Six. The load consists of a standard Remington small pistol primer, and a VERY heavy charge of AAC#9 Velocity is 1600+ fps, and the cases fall out of the chamber, and can be reloaded 8-10 times. The "bang" is impressive, but the velocity is even more impressive.

I've never tried anything fast burning like Unique or AAC#5, but I see no resaon why they wouldn't work well on less than full power loads.

Try 'em and see if you like 'em. If you want full performance, try 2400, 296, H110, or AAC#9. These powders will make the "bite" even worse than the bark.

Desert Pete · November 13, 2002, 01:39 PM

Target load: 3.5gr Bullseye with any wadcutter.

Heavy loads: 2400 does best for me with any magnum and all bullet weights. I'm not at home so I can't look up the exact charges, but heavy doses of 2400 always work well.

The M27 (I own a 6" model) is a 357 on a 44 frame. Don't worry about pounding it, it's hell-for-tough and will outlast you and I.

Johnny Guest · November 13, 2002, 04:14 PM

In .357 cases - - -
Hornady 158 JHP 13.5 gr. Alliant 2400, magnum primers. Book allows for more powder but my revolvers like this amount.

Identical to Shooter 973's entry: Cast 158 to 162 LSWC with 7.0 gr. Unique. You can go hotter, but this is a NICE load. Also works well with various jacketed bullets in weight range, but this is economical to shoot and will take care of most small game without excessive sound and fury.

braindead0's suggestion of 158 LSWC with 5.0 Unique is an OLD favorite of mine, dating back to mid-1960s. I loaded it in 38 Special cases. By today's standards, this is definitely a +P load, though, and it should be be used sparingly if at all in small framed .38s.

Best,
Johnny

LAH · November 14, 2002, 08:45 AM

Any of the 158 gr. cast bullets and 6 to 7 grs. of Unique should work fine.

birdman · November 14, 2002, 11:00 AM

If your 27-2 is anything like mine it will shoot lousey with light loads and be a tackdriver with heavy loads. BTW the N-frame S&W's can handle those heavy loads well. My favorite load load is 15 gr. of 2400 behind a Rem 140gr JHP for almost 600 fpe. My really heavy load is 15.2 gr of 2400 behind a 158 gr. lead SWC which generates nearly 700 fpe. I keep my 27 sighted in for the 140 with a center hold sight picture and the 158 is on target with a 6:00 sight picture. If I want to shoot something lighter I use the Model 19. regards, birdman

braindead0 · November 14, 2002, 01:20 PM

I was just thinking we need a whole site devoted to the .357, I'm kinda surprised there isn't one (or is there...).. I tried finding one with no luck.

Cheapo · November 15, 2002, 02:16 AM

Is 9.5 Power Pistol listed as OK in .357 Mag using 125-gr JHPs? Hope so, 'cause they go about 1300 out of my six-inch and group to 2 inches (I'm not sure I'm even capable of the legendary 1 inch 25-yard group!).

Tried that because I wanted to get away from Magnum primers, brilliant flash, and heavier recoil of the WW296 loads.

Leonard G. Allmon · November 15, 2002, 11:23 AM

I am 70 years old and arthritis forces me to use either a recoil absorber or download considerably, and a download I have found that works for me on the .357 is 5 to 6 grains of Bullseye and the 110 grain Winchester HBHPMJ. Crimp tightly on the cannelure. Use .357 cases. This load will group about 4 or 5 inches at 50 yards for me, which, while not a winner, is not bad. If you use the same load in .38 cases, the accuracy is not as good. A load for 9mm in the Blackhawk 9mm/.357 is the same bullet and same powder load. It leaves a "Panty Line" on the cartridge at the base of the bullet, but is very accurate. I have also fired the combination in 9mm autos, but with 4.5 grains of Bullseye and it is super accurate. I have found that a bullet of one or two thousandths oversize is more accurate than one of the "Proper" or listed size.

Clark · November 15, 2002, 11:45 AM

I have done allot of experimenting to see how much power I can get out of the 357 mag.

I have settled on 158 gr LSWC and LIL'GUN and mag primers.

A step down from there is H110/296.

A step down from there is 2400 and AA#9.

A step down from there is Blue Dot and LONGSHOT.

A step down from there is Unique, Bullseye, ect.

November 11, 2002, 08:27 PM	#1
Blackhorse Senior Member Join Date: April 9, 2002 Location: Idaho Posts: 597	Anybody got a good .357 load? Just recently picked up an S&W 27-2 6" to add to my N Frame collection. Find myself with alot of unique and AA#5, any of you folks work up a load for the old 27 thats accurate and won't pound the old smith using either of these powders?

November 12, 2002, 07:16 AM	#4
braindead0 Senior Member Join Date: February 28, 2002 Location: Canton, Oh Posts: 896	Haven't used AA#5, I sometimes use 5gr Unique behind 158gr LRN (or LSWC) for IDPA. Gets around 900fps out of 4" barells, and it's plenty accurate. 4.3gr bullseye behind 158gr LRN puts it right around 850fps Both of these loads qualify as .38spl power, maybe +P __________________ DoD# 2223 Meum scapha volitare plenum anguillae

November 13, 2002, 12:59 AM	#7
cheygriz Senior Member Join Date: May 11, 2002 Location: high up in the rockies Posts: 2,289	I shoot Remington 125 gr JHP bullets exclusively in my 6 inch Ruger Security Six. The load consists of a standard Remington small pistol primer, and a VERY heavy charge of AAC#9 Velocity is 1600+ fps, and the cases fall out of the chamber, and can be reloaded 8-10 times. The "bang" is impressive, but the velocity is even more impressive. I've never tried anything fast burning like Unique or AAC#5, but I see no resaon why they wouldn't work well on less than full power loads. Try 'em and see if you like 'em. If you want full performance, try 2400, 296, H110, or AAC#9. These powders will make the "bite" even worse than the bark. __________________ If you think a mighty military force is expensive, wait 'til you see what a weak one costs.

November 14, 2002, 01:20 PM	#12
braindead0 Senior Member Join Date: February 28, 2002 Location: Canton, Oh Posts: 896	I was just thinking we need a whole site devoted to the .357, I'm kinda surprised there isn't one (or is there...).. I tried finding one with no luck. __________________ DoD# 2223 Meum scapha volitare plenum anguillae

November 15, 2002, 02:16 AM	#13
Cheapo Senior Member Join Date: November 19, 1998 Posts: 986	Is 9.5 Power Pistol listed as OK in .357 Mag using 125-gr JHPs? Hope so, 'cause they go about 1300 out of my six-inch and group to 2 inches (I'm not sure I'm even capable of the legendary 1 inch 25-yard group!). Tried that because I wanted to get away from Magnum primers, brilliant flash, and heavier recoil of the WW296 loads. __________________ Let us never forget that the only legitimate source of government power is the citizens. If WE cannot exercise a certain power, we cannot grant it to the state.

November 11, 2002, 09:51 PM	#2
C.R.Sam Senior Member Join Date: October 29, 1999 Location: Dewey, AZ Posts: 12,858	Seems that most reloading books have numerous loads for that cartridge and Unique. I would try some of the suggested (not max) loads and see what the gun likes. Maby a dozen each of several loads. Some of the 27s are finicky about loads and you need to find out what YOUR gun likes. Look at it as another way to have fun. Discovering the tastes of your new gun. ( In my book, if it has a model number, 'taint old ) Sam

November 11, 2002, 10:02 PM	#3
HSMITH Senior Member Join Date: June 21, 2002 Posts: 2,019	Pound the old girl a bit, you can spin up some BOOMERS using unique and light bullets!!!! The flash and bang is truly awesome!!! Some of the lighter loads have worked well for me too.

November 12, 2002, 05:15 PM	#5
Shooter 973 Senior Member Join Date: February 3, 2001 Location: Home town of John M. Browning, Utah Posts: 499	357 Load My own personal favorite load for 357, and the one that I shoot 98% of the time is 7 gr. of Unique under a cast 150-158 gr, slug of the shape you like best. Shoots right to the sights of my GP100 with fixed sights and is sighted in on almost all of my other 357's with adjustable sights so that they group right at the top of the front sight at 25yrds. Not a punishing load but hotter than a 38+p, into moderate 357 levels and is not a real hard kicker. Also works well on Bowling Pins. I know that a lot of guys complain about Unique being a "Dirty" powder, but the dirt just wipes right off with a lightly oiled rag. Try this load and then try the same load with Universal Clays, they are almost exactly the same . As always standard cautions apply.. __________________ The problem with America is stupidity. I'm not saying there should be capital punishment for stupidity, but why don't we just take the safety labels off of everything and let the problem solve itself?

November 12, 2002, 09:18 PM	#6
gordo b. Senior Member Join Date: October 20, 2002 Location: Peoples republik of Calif. Posts: 961	Shot 14 or a little better grains of 2400 thru 6 inch barrel of my N frame for 10 years (with 158-173grain hard cast bullet) work up to it and load is pleasantly dirty but 5000+ rounds had no bad effects to gun..

November 13, 2002, 01:39 PM	#8
Desert Pete Member Join Date: August 6, 2002 Location: Texas Posts: 44	Target load: 3.5gr Bullseye with any wadcutter. Heavy loads: 2400 does best for me with any magnum and all bullet weights. I'm not at home so I can't look up the exact charges, but heavy doses of 2400 always work well. The M27 (I own a 6" model) is a 357 on a 44 frame. Don't worry about pounding it, it's hell-for-tough and will outlast you and I.

November 13, 2002, 04:14 PM	#9
Johnny Guest Moderator in Memoriam Join Date: August 28, 1999 Location: North Texas Posts: 4,123	Couuple of favorites - - - In .357 cases - - - Hornady 158 JHP 13.5 gr. Alliant 2400, magnum primers. Book allows for more powder but my revolvers like this amount. Identical to Shooter 973's entry: Cast 158 to 162 LSWC with 7.0 gr. Unique. You can go hotter, but this is a NICE load. Also works well with various jacketed bullets in weight range, but this is economical to shoot and will take care of most small game without excessive sound and fury. braindead0's suggestion of 158 LSWC with 5.0 Unique is an OLD favorite of mine, dating back to mid-1960s. I loaded it in 38 Special cases. By today's standards, this is definitely a +P load, though, and it should be be used sparingly if at all in small framed .38s. Best, Johnny Last edited by Johnny Guest; November 14, 2002 at 10:40 PM.

November 14, 2002, 08:45 AM	#10
LAH Senior Member Join Date: March 22, 2002 Location: In The Hardwoods Posts: 1,188	Any of the 158 gr. cast bullets and 6 to 7 grs. of Unique should work fine.

November 14, 2002, 11:00 AM	#11
birdman Senior Member Join Date: April 5, 2000 Posts: 105	If your 27-2 is anything like mine it will shoot lousey with light loads and be a tackdriver with heavy loads. BTW the N-frame S&W's can handle those heavy loads well. My favorite load load is 15 gr. of 2400 behind a Rem 140gr JHP for almost 600 fpe. My really heavy load is 15.2 gr of 2400 behind a 158 gr. lead SWC which generates nearly 700 fpe. I keep my 27 sighted in for the 140 with a center hold sight picture and the 158 is on target with a 6:00 sight picture. If I want to shoot something lighter I use the Model 19. regards, birdman

November 15, 2002, 11:23 AM	#14
Leonard G. Allmon Member Join Date: November 15, 2002 Location: Louisville, Tennessee Posts: 29	I am 70 years old and arthritis forces me to use either a recoil absorber or download considerably, and a download I have found that works for me on the .357 is 5 to 6 grains of Bullseye and the 110 grain Winchester HBHPMJ. Crimp tightly on the cannelure. Use .357 cases. This load will group about 4 or 5 inches at 50 yards for me, which, while not a winner, is not bad. If you use the same load in .38 cases, the accuracy is not as good. A load for 9mm in the Blackhawk 9mm/.357 is the same bullet and same powder load. It leaves a "Panty Line" on the cartridge at the base of the bullet, but is very accurate. I have also fired the combination in 9mm autos, but with 4.5 grains of Bullseye and it is super accurate. I have found that a bullet of one or two thousandths oversize is more accurate than one of the "Proper" or listed size.

November 15, 2002, 11:45 AM	#15
Clark Senior Member Join Date: December 4, 1999 Location: WA, the ever blue state Posts: 4,678	I have done allot of experimenting to see how much power I can get out of the 357 mag. I have settled on 158 gr LSWC and LIL'GUN and mag primers. A step down from there is H110/296. A step down from there is 2400 and AA#9. A step down from there is Blue Dot and LONGSHOT. A step down from there is Unique, Bullseye, ect.