.357 mag reload data

figjam · January 25, 2009, 02:08 PM

I am getting ready to reload .357mag. and am having trouble finding good reload data for same. I have Remington 140gr. HP bullets and am using Winchester 231 Powder, I hope. The Speer #14 states for the start charge DNR and a max. charge of 7.1 using their 38 UCHP bullet. The Sierra 5th edition states a 140gr. JHC with 8.0 grs of win 231 powder. The Hodgdon website states 140gr.HDY XTP with 6.5 grs of Win 231 powder. My question is what load data is safe and which recipe would you use. Thanx for the help

**Unclenick** · January 25, 2009, 02:43 PM

Take the lowest starting load and work up, watching for pressure signs. This is the standard practice. 231 is a target shooting powder intended for reduced power target shooting loads, so it is designed to build burning pressure rapidly enough to burn a small quantity of powder under full pressure before the bullet has moved very far into the barrel. It makes too much pressure too quickly to let you use enough to reach magnum velocities. About 5.5 grains of it, though, will give you roughly the same muzzle energy as military .45 ACP and 9 mm ball ammo (both approximately 400 ft-lbs) if your barrel is 5" long. Personally, I would just stop there. If you want magnum level loads get either 296 or H110 (they are the same powder packaged as different brands). With the 140 grain bullet, 18 grains of either one or enough to fill the case just to level with the bottom of the seated bullet, whichever is less, and a magnum small pistol primer will be about right.

Regular Joe · January 25, 2009, 02:51 PM

My first question is why 231? It reaches high pressure very quickly, and there is low enough load density that you risk a double charge unless you're very careful.
If you must use 231, I would suggest starting at the bottom of the load data. Make up 20 rounds, and check them for accuracy. These should be more pleasant to fire than full house loads using 296 or H-110, and velocity is still pretty respectable.
Since you have the Hodgdon data, notice the pressure ratings for each load. I think they have the burn rate chart, further down in the data, so you can see where each powder stands. Generally, faster powders are less forgiving, with a narrower band of acceptable loads. On the plus side though, accuracy is often best with these fast powders, although you won't reach max. velocity for the caliber. When I was loading .357, I pretty much stuck with 296 and Blue Dot for load development. These are more appropriate for jacketed bullets, while the fast powders are generally better for lead bullets. With these charge weights, powder economy isn't much of an issue, since even a full charge of H4227 is only a couple of cents per round.

figjam · January 25, 2009, 06:12 PM

Thanx for the reply's
Ok What is a good powder besides 231 for loading 357 mags and I am useing cci 500 primers

45Marlin carbine · January 25, 2009, 07:14 PM

for cast slugs I use Bullseye. jacketed I use power pistol.
I load for several diff pistol rounds (including .357) and those two powders are all I keep on hand they seem to fill the bill well.

aarhunt · January 25, 2009, 07:31 PM

I reload alot of 38 and 357 bullets and 2400 and accurate #5 works real well thats what me and my dad use alot.My dad has use accurate #5 for along time and it has worked real well.I have alot of recipes printed out already for 357 and 38 rounds i can make copys of i can send you.

aarhunt · January 25, 2009, 07:38 PM

For 2400 i would use magnum primers if you can get primers for 357.I wouldnt use 2400 in a 38.

kraigwy · January 25, 2009, 08:03 PM

231 in 38s

2400 in 357

AlaskaMike · January 26, 2009, 12:54 PM

I don't use 140 grain bullets in the .357, but with my 158 grain cast SWCs I use 2400 as well as 296. You really couldn't go wrong with either.

Mike

January 25, 2009, 02:43 PM	#2
Unclenick Staff Join Date: March 4, 2005 Location: Ohio Posts: 21,063	Take the lowest starting load and work up, watching for pressure signs. This is the standard practice. 231 is a target shooting powder intended for reduced power target shooting loads, so it is designed to build burning pressure rapidly enough to burn a small quantity of powder under full pressure before the bullet has moved very far into the barrel. It makes too much pressure too quickly to let you use enough to reach magnum velocities. About 5.5 grains of it, though, will give you roughly the same muzzle energy as military .45 ACP and 9 mm ball ammo (both approximately 400 ft-lbs) if your barrel is 5" long. Personally, I would just stop there. If you want magnum level loads get either 296 or H110 (they are the same powder packaged as different brands). With the 140 grain bullet, 18 grains of either one or enough to fill the case just to level with the bottom of the seated bullet, whichever is less, and a magnum small pistol primer will be about right. __________________ Gunsite Orange Hat Family Member CMP Certified GSM Master Instructor NRA Certified Rifle Instructor NRA Benefactor Member and Golden Eagle

January 25, 2009, 06:12 PM	#4
figjam Junior Member Join Date: July 22, 2008 Location: Colorado Posts: 5	357 mag powder Thanx for the reply's Ok What is a good powder besides 231 for loading 357 mags and I am useing cci 500 primers

January 25, 2009, 08:03 PM	#8
kraigwy Senior Member Join Date: June 16, 2008 Location: Wyoming Posts: 11,061	231 in 38s 2400 in 357 __________________ Kraig Stuart CPT USAR Ret USAMU Sniper School Distinguished Rifle Badge 1071

January 25, 2009, 02:08 PM	#1
figjam Junior Member Join Date: July 22, 2008 Location: Colorado Posts: 5	.357 mag reload data I am getting ready to reload .357mag. and am having trouble finding good reload data for same. I have Remington 140gr. HP bullets and am using Winchester 231 Powder, I hope. The Speer #14 states for the start charge DNR and a max. charge of 7.1 using their 38 UCHP bullet. The Sierra 5th edition states a 140gr. JHC with 8.0 grs of win 231 powder. The Hodgdon website states 140gr.HDY XTP with 6.5 grs of Win 231 powder. My question is what load data is safe and which recipe would you use. Thanx for the help

January 25, 2009, 02:51 PM	#3
Regular Joe Senior Member Join Date: November 6, 2008 Posts: 255	My first question is why 231? It reaches high pressure very quickly, and there is low enough load density that you risk a double charge unless you're very careful. If you must use 231, I would suggest starting at the bottom of the load data. Make up 20 rounds, and check them for accuracy. These should be more pleasant to fire than full house loads using 296 or H-110, and velocity is still pretty respectable. Since you have the Hodgdon data, notice the pressure ratings for each load. I think they have the burn rate chart, further down in the data, so you can see where each powder stands. Generally, faster powders are less forgiving, with a narrower band of acceptable loads. On the plus side though, accuracy is often best with these fast powders, although you won't reach max. velocity for the caliber. When I was loading .357, I pretty much stuck with 296 and Blue Dot for load development. These are more appropriate for jacketed bullets, while the fast powders are generally better for lead bullets. With these charge weights, powder economy isn't much of an issue, since even a full charge of H4227 is only a couple of cents per round.

January 25, 2009, 07:14 PM	#5
45Marlin carbine Junior member Join Date: January 26, 2007 Location: South-Western North Carolina Posts: 1,124	for cast slugs I use Bullseye. jacketed I use power pistol. I load for several diff pistol rounds (including .357) and those two powders are all I keep on hand they seem to fill the bill well.

January 25, 2009, 07:31 PM	#6
aarhunt Junior member Join Date: January 17, 2009 Location: Chippewa Lake,Ohio Posts: 104	I reload alot of 38 and 357 bullets and 2400 and accurate #5 works real well thats what me and my dad use alot.My dad has use accurate #5 for along time and it has worked real well.I have alot of recipes printed out already for 357 and 38 rounds i can make copys of i can send you.

January 25, 2009, 07:38 PM	#7
aarhunt Junior member Join Date: January 17, 2009 Location: Chippewa Lake,Ohio Posts: 104	For 2400 i would use magnum primers if you can get primers for 357.I wouldnt use 2400 in a 38.

January 26, 2009, 12:54 PM	#9
AlaskaMike Senior Member Join Date: September 26, 2005 Posts: 941	I don't use 140 grain bullets in the .357, but with my 158 grain cast SWCs I use 2400 as well as 296. You really couldn't go wrong with either. Mike