When using W231/HP38 in .357 magnum loads, you essentially build loads which can be fired in a .357 magnum as opposed to true full power actual .357 magnum ammunition. 296 fan. The 1:20 tests at 100, 200 and 300 yards proved that with a rifle length barrel, any commercially available bullet will . The difference between the 158 and 180 grain bullets on the pins is remarkable. Sounds like things are going real good with the reloading, Chance. Alaska Department of Fish & Game, State Agency: Accuracy can be greatly refined through reloading, though I would go factory for self defense. Employees and agents of Publishers Development Corp. are not eligible. Giveaway prizes may have evidence of being test fired or exhibit minor handling marks. Basic Reloaders Manual (1996) Speer Reloading Manual, #12 Winchester If I was starting out to load a magnum pistol, like .357, .41, .44, or T/C/Ruger-Only .45 Colt, I'D want Alliant 2400 to learn on. For the .357 mag I load hard cast bullets at full power (1,250 fps +/-) mostly using 2400 and AA#9. I've considered H110, but didn't know if it would be a good "all around" powder. No purchase necessary. I am used to lighter bullets for 38 SC and 9 Major but I see most of the people use heavier bullets in .357? You need a faster powder for the .38 and you do for the .357. Illinois Department of Natural Resources, State Agency: Optimal accuracy? You find load data for cartridges in caliber .357 Magnum with all common powders and bullets by clicking the "Loads in this caliber" button above. Associated taxes and fees are the responsibility of winners. their 158 grain bullets to a MV of 1151 fps, and 15.5 grains of H110 Like Marc said, I'd want data specific to your bullet. and 8 lb. Contest open to U.S. residents only. Like mentioned, use a magnum primer with magnum powders and do not reduce H1110/Win 296 below recommended start loads. Stay in the know. a slower burning powder, I suggest H-4227, LilGun, W-296,2400, HS6 or No. Any thoughts? They show 2400 as the best powder to use for reloading the .357 Magnum cartridge. It is just a guide and the reason you should start under these charges and work up. Vermont Fish & Wildlife Department, State Agency: Oregon Department of Fish & Wildlife, State Agency: Winchester 296/Hogdon H110 is a powder which cannot and must not be used for light metallic cartridge loads! More details in the thread in Tech Support for those who are interested. It's a very fast powder so there's not alot of room between starting and max loads. I'm assuming I can just use any 170 gr bullet data but want to make sure. Deployed military should use stateside address. Deployed military should use stateside address. (Photo: Andy C). Winchester Smokeless Ball Powder. If part of your plinking enjoyment is testing new handloads for flat shooting and serious speed, the .357 is a cartridge chemists dream. There is also the issue of lead vapor to breathe if on an indoor range. No purchase necessary. Then use whatever you can find cheap for 38 special right now. I'm off to a slow start because I have other things going on, but I should be ready to rock real soon. And the .45 Schofield cowboy loads recorded lower velocities than expected but delivered excellent accuracy. Disclaimer: The above is not holy writ. I have found Winchester W231 unique seems to work for all my handgun loads. (Photo: Andy C). If you enjoy the forum please consider supporting it by signing up for aNES Membership The benefits pay for the membership many times over. When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission, which supports our community. The firearm hobby is a broad one, with many subdivisions of interest and activity. The last one, a brand-new Remington/Marlin, came from my local gun shop a couple months back. If it's a hunting load or full power defense load your after, a slower powder designed for magnums will give you more versatility. I have found these to be useful practice and Lead bullets are great for such high-volume shooting. Winners will be notified by certified mail on official letterhead. All right are Reserved Reload Ammo, Reloading The .45 ACP (Automatic Colt Pistol), 1,075 (plated, actual in 7 bbl revolver), 1,307 max (Enforcer load below is SWC + GC ), ,108 (as of 2008 HP38 & W231 are the same), 1,610 MAX a Commercial JSP load averages 1,503 fps, 1,208 Hi=1244, Lo=1179, ES=65 (good load). Result of not working out is a kaboom and potential injury. Terms and Conditions and Privacy Policy. I don't want to blow myself up right away. Hodgdon - 700-X. (II) Limit one (1) entry per household; multiple entries will disqualify entrants. a lightweight .357 or older gun, you may want to start with 13% less than rickyd.41Mag said: HP 38/W231 is my most widely used powder. While the Colt Model 601 was the first AR-15 to be mass-produced, there were several design variations that came before during the platform's development. HP38 is a spherical powder that is great for low velocity and mid-range target loads in the .38 Special, .44 Special, and 45 ACP. From my perspective in this stage of my life if I could have only one centerfire rifle, it would be a .357 Magnum levergun, with my first choice being the Marlin 1894. Not only is this excellent accuracy, it is a significant increase in muzzle velocity. I use Clays in .38s. This high energy powder provides economy in loading. Indiana Department of Natural Resources, State Agency: To protect the privacy and security of winners, names will not be made public. bullet to a MV of 1352 fps. Two guns, one cartridge: The Marlin 1894 and the Ruger Old Model. I love it because of how well it meters in my Dillon powder measure. The action was not as smooth as I would like and the trigger pull was much too heavy at 8-1/2 lbs. Like they say, this is close enough for government work. For a better experience, please enable JavaScript in your browser before proceeding. All entries must be received by giveaway end date. Prizes will not be awarded if illegal in jurisdiction of winners. over 20 years it was simply known as "the Magnum," as there was no You can add Hodgdon Lil'Gun for heavier bullet in the .357 Magnum. Vihtavuori provides load data for .38 Special, .357 Magnum, .44 Special, .44 Magnum and .45 Colt. .357 Magnum factory For my hunting / power loads , 2400. Some people might think this is too little gun for a humane kill on a whitetail; this is misguided. For I have also used Unique with success on lighter loads, Bullseye, Red Dot and American Select didn't impress me for 357 but I didn't try too hard either. Mail-in entries accepted; send postcards (no envelopes) to: GUNS Magazine, GOM February 2023, P.O. I have been reloading Associated taxes and fees are the responsibility of winners. Winners must respond within 30 days of receiving notification or an alternate winner will be selected. The snubnosed .38 and .45 ACP handloads also turned in good results. The big advantage with the rifle is the fact it is not only easier to shoot at longer ranges but it also picks up significant muzzle velocity over a sixgun barrel. We try 2 different powders, Hodgdon Lilgun and Alliant 300-MP. Due to different barrel lengths, type of bullet, seating depth, primer type and other factors, you may not get near the FPS charted. I'm looking for a really strong suggestion for two different loads. of TrailBoss), (Note H110 & W296 are the same as of 2008 as is HP-38 & W231), (IMR 4227 is same as H-4227 if made in Australia), (bullets seated deeper = higher pressures) (I dont recommend lead at over 900 The reason my loads for the .357 Magnum levergun are the same as they are for the .357 Magnum sixgun is simply because the whole point is to be able to use the same load in both. W296 is slow burning and needs a case full to ensure complete ignition. that can be adapted to all types of activity. Cartridge Use & HistoryThe .357 Smith & Wesson Magnum, .357 S&W Magnum, .357 Magnum, or 933mmR as it is known in unofficial metric designation, is a smokeless powder cartridge with a .357-inch (9.07 mm) bullet diameter. 6.4 gr. (Cowboy Action) 44 Russian (Cowboy Action) 44 S&W Special (Cowboy Action) 44-40 Win . Winchester #209 777 Primers - 100-Pack. Its not exact practice, but it wont bankrupt you to shoot them weekly. IPSCs revolver division rules basically demand a .45 ACP moonclip gun, but in IDPA the speedloader-fed .357 magnums are alive and well. First time using lead cast bullets. Today, you can take your pick of outstanding hollowpoint or expanding-point bullets. For hard cast work up to no more than 6.7grs max Winchesters data, I'll be picking some up in 2 weeks. Hand loading required. Bullseye, 100% burnt at 2.56 inches of barrel length. (I) Giveaway ends September 30, 2021. Associated taxes and fees are the responsibility of winners. Idaho Department of Fish & Game, State Agency: 357 caliber. IMR Smokeless Powder - Rifle. will drive those bullets to a MV of 1217 fps. But in those three disciplines, the .357s potential is going untapped, you could argue. For most of my big-bore sixgun loads I use straight wheelweights for loads under 1,100 fps; however, with the smaller diameter .357 Magnum bullets I prefer a harder alloy and normally mix lead and type metal in equal amounts. be driven to a MV of 1005 fps by 8.8 grains of HS6 powder, or 1142 fps Let me be the 1st to say that you can never go wrong with Unique. I go through a lot of Blue Dot on 357 mag and you can use it with 38 Spl as well. . 10mm Auto. Hodgdon recommends lighter-than-usual powder charges for the 140 grain FTX. Follow the reloading manuals precisely. I get similar results with the same bullet and 4 to 4.5 grains of W231. Bianchi Speed Strips are a compact loading device for revolvers . Missouri Deptartment of Conservation, State Agency: Alabama Department of Conservation & Natural Resources. Unique is a great choice. Kansas Department of Wildlife, Parks & Tourism, State Agency: In the .357 for heavy loads I have come to love Hodgdon's Lil'Gun w/magnum primers. The various 125-129 You can. These two have always worked best for me. (I) Giveaway ends March 31, 2023. Instead I recommend switching your powder load to Blue Dot and loading up a 180 grain lead bullet. 45 Colt guns are popular for authenticitys sake, but .357 guns are more practical from a cost standpoint. I want something that best suits a newbie to reloading. The Browning was dropped in 1986 but the Marlin and Rossi remain and we also have the .357 Magnum available in both 1873 and 1892 Winchesters, the Henry Big Boy and for a while, Ruger even offered their bolt action, five-shot, stainless steel Model 77/357. (III) Giveaway winner(s) chosen by random drawing. Not that a single charge would or could be bad, but, because it is so dense, combine that with say, your favorite Glock 22 with a heavy bullet and nowyou are going to have a problem. Connecticut Department of Energy & Environmental Protection, State Agency: use hot loads). small game loads. I have been reloading the .357 Magnum since the middle 1960's. I have found Winchester W231 and Hodgdon HS-6 powders excellent for low and medium velocity loads and H-110, W296 and Hercules 2400 powders excellent for . the .357 Magnum since the middle 1960's. Theres a huge combination of powders, bullets, primers and guns. I'll admit they're a little stout, but still fun to shoot. Historically .357 Mag. Now this rifle is ready for use by several generations of our family. (II) Limit one (1) entry per household; multiple entries will disqualify entrants. With standard primers it's a little lower velocity (more like 925). The .357 Mag is one of the most flexible handgun rounds. Associated taxes and fees are the responsibility of winners. For .357 the old standby was 2400. The faster it burns after ignition, the less unburnt powder and "muzzle flash" on shorter-barreled guns, and quicker velocity attainment on longer-barreled ones. It won't give velocities QUITE as impressive as H110 or IMR-4227, but it can be started at 10% under max . When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission, which supports our community. Recipe. Trail Boss is an awesome powder for loading the 158 grain semiwadcutter to moderate magnum levels, retaining good performance and fun without inducing arthritis. Virginia Department of Wildlife Resources, State Agency: For midrange loads I use Power Pistol, and for full magnum loads I use 2400. Factory warranties may apply in some cases. This loading breaks 1,340 fps in my four-inch barrel Python. Any .357 Magnum revolver I think 2400 is the most versatile and forgiving of the propellants commonly used in magnum pistol powders. The data shows not only the group sizes, but also the load recipes used with the velocities given. Discussion: Universal and Unique are good for lighter bullets, but if you want However, I've read Unique is hard to meter. Since I started doing this seriously, Ive only bought one gun, a .308 bolt-action rifle. If you hunt in predominantly tight spaces with shorter sight lines, a .357 lever rifle is a wonderful gun to carry all day. (Photo: Andy C). (III) Giveaway winner(s) chosen by random drawing. shows that 16.5 grains of 2400 powder will drive their 125 grain 3. This is super-low recoiling, and in a relatively heavy gun like a S&W 686, you may find shorter split times than the autoloader shooters. field (against large predators). Posts: 3,825. JHP, (WC= WadCutter, SWC= Semi-WadCutter, HP= Hollow Point, RN= Round Nose), SP=Soft Point, (JHP= Jacketed Hollow Point and if GC indicated, means Gas Check at bottom of lead bullet), (Note: These are near maximum loads, you should use 10% less to start. Just depends on what kinds of loads you plan to shoot. Discussion in 'Handloading and Reloading' started by Throwingdown, May 26, 2009. If the tolerances are close between minimum and maximum loads, imagine what the effect of different bullets might be. Is a VERY GOOD powder for mid range .357 loads but would opt out on this one for hotter personal defense loads or hunting ammo . Lets just say midway tween low and high , In my opinion the K frames just aren't stout enuf for a steady diet of high pressure stuff. Winners will be notified by certified mail on official letterhead. SAFETY DATA SHEET. were measured in a 6" S&W revolver barrel using Speer cases and * Bullseye, Unique and 2400 are products of Alliant (formerly Hercules) Powders. If the loads work in the rifle barrel its almost a sure thing they will do fine in the sixgun, however it is almost imperative one uses either jacketed or hard cast gas-checked bullets in the rifle barrel. It is a special powder developed for Cowboy Action Shooters using lead bullets. Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources, State Agency: of muzzle energy. 28 gauge. Reloading Components Manual, 14th edition Lyman Piston & Revolver Factory warranties may apply in some cases. Employees and agents of Publishers Development Corp. are not eligible. I have used Red Dot, Promo, W-231, HP-38, Titegroup, & Unique. (III) Giveaway winner(s) chosen by random drawing. Arizona Game & Fish Department, State Agency: flatnose hard cast bullet. Much cheaper to load your own. Jul 22, 2015. I dont worry about the power factor much because CAS threshold is so low, its not worth the tiny savings in recoil against having to compensate for a two inch high point of impact. The .357 remains the best selling of all magnum handgun cartridges and among the top 10 best selling handgun cartridges. Ive never seen a 90-grain load in a store. I'm just looking to load plinking rounds. The reason I moved to Alliant Power Pro 300MP was I was impressed with what I read about it and have found it to be very clean burning, relatively low muzzle flash, accurate and can get a 150 to 250 more fps while still keeping well within the SAAMI 35,000 psi limit. If you want to download your .357 Magnum ammo 2400 is a better choice. Follow the reloading manuals precisely. No soup can is safe. Winners will be notified by certified mail on official letterhead. The .357 Magnum was developed as a joint effort between Smith & Wesson (S&W) and Winchester, and was formally introduced in 1935. Everything DocZeus says.For your K frame , I wouldn't push it to max. Hornady - Critical Defense 38 Special Ammo - Most Versatile 38 Special Ammo. (Photo: Andy C). Titegroup is an excellent powder for target and mid range loads. Some loads use bullets of .358 for jacketed and .359 for lead. The Hornady 158 XTP-JHP over 15.5 grains of H110 is just under 1,600 fps in the Marlin and Rossi .357 leverguns. Experiment and I am sure you will find something that shoots well in your gun, I have. loads today have a limit of 17,000 p.s.i., whereas the .357 Magnum's is 35,000. Teach them the truth, and let them sort thru the cobwebs of liberalism that have infested their minds. Contest void where prohibited by law. North Dakota Game & Fish Department, State Agency: I have your 66's cousin - a 66-1 4", which is my favorite shooter! ETA: Nevermind. My Lyman's claims that for 357 magnum, the 2400 is the best powder delivering highest velocity and accuracy. I use both bullseye and 231 for 38 special. But for my money no other cartridge does as much as well as the .357 magnum. Super clean burning. A forum community dedicated to Ruger firearm owners and enthusiasts. Bullets are .357 for jacketed and .358 for lead in diameter. Epic 22 Pocket Pistol: The Beretta 71 Jaguar. Copyright 2023 National Rifle Association, Women On Target Instructional Shooting Clinics, Volunteer At The Great American Outdoor Show, Marion P. Hammer Women Of Distinction Award, Women's Wildlife Management / Conservation Scholarship, National Youth Shooting Sports Cooperative Program, The Mismatched Model 27: A Curious Revolver, The Colt Mk III Lawman: A Forgotten Revolver, Retro Review: Smith & Wesson LadySmith Revolvers. New Jersey Division of Fish & Wildlife, State Agency: Ive sold plenty of others, because they dont see as much use. & Wesson as the world's most powerful handgun cartridge. Box 488, Escondido, CA 92033. Hodgdon CFE Pistol is best suited for cartridges producing the middle range of power (non-magnum pistol loads in most calibers including 500 S&W). Dillon Precision 14400 38 Spl 357 Mag Pistol 3 Three Die Set Carbide Brand New. The .357 remains the best selling of Factory warranties may apply in some cases. Ive also never loaded a factory round into my Model 13 and had it shoot to point of aim the way I want it to. But for all that inherent diversity, Ive found theres a single cartridge that lets me cover most bases while keeping expense down and enjoyment up. The Hornady 140 grain FTX bullet is different from other 357 jacketed bullets a couple of important points need to be made right off: Cases will need to be trimmed to 1.240" instead of the usual 1.290". with 125 and 158 Gr Lead or Coated Lead Bullets. 16 gauge. 6.1 gr. New Mexico Department of Game & Fish, State Agency: As most revolver cartridges fade further into obscurity every year, the .357 continues to have new life breathed into it by ammunition companies and gun manufacturers who recognize the demand for this venerable cartridge. For smaller game, Ive stuffed a 90-grain lead bullet into a case over a slight charge of Bullseye for a quiet, soft-shooting round that has taken many rabbits, squirrels and grouse by headshot. To protect the privacy and security of winners, names will not be made public. No substitutions or transfers to third parties allowed. This load in a 5-1/2 Ruger New Model Flat-Top clocks out at 1,333 fps. Mail-in entries accepted; send postcards (no envelopes) to: GUNS Magazine, GOM April 2023, P.O. Marc - accipere facile, sed sumite! Bestseller No. For plinking and target loads Hodgdon's Univeral Clay's w/regular small pistol primers has become my favorite. Christian, Conservative American, Male, all three of which are currently under attack! Free shipping for many products! I had Milt Morrison slick up the action and take the trigger back to 3-1/2 lbs. Load data is available for 9mm Luger, .38 Super Auto, .38 Special, .357 Magnum, .40 S&W, .44 S&W Special, .44 Remington Magnum, .45 ACP and . The Handgun Reloading For lead bullets, Unique is great. (1995) Numerous magazine articles on reloading special calibers and Most likely I'll be loading lead bullets. I would exclude H110 altogether. Some of the components John uses for the .357 Magnum for leverguns. It has great guns in current production, with various styles (you can even get a .357 magnum 1911!) All Rights Reserved, it doesnt show its potential unless you start handloading it. for the magnum pistol loads and for rifle. An alternative is the Buffalo Bore 180-grain hard-cast. 125 gr. I'm probably gonna run off about 750 rounds, using hard cast 158 grain SWC. They list 4 gn of Unique will give 900 FPS with a 140gn bullet. New. Due to different barrel lengths, type of bullet, seating depth, primer type and other factors, you may not get near the FPS charted. For a medium velocity load in .357 Magnum cases with 158-160 grain bullets at 1.58" OAL use these as minimum start loads and OK to increase a grain or so as needed to get best accuracy. Smith & Wesson Model 586: Reviewing A .357 Revolver With Class. Unique and Winchester 231 seem to be two common powders that show up under both calibers in the Hornady reloading manual. 6 shots and point the muzzle upwards before each shot across a chronograph and 6 shots with the muzzle pointed down over the same chronograph. Contest void where prohibited by law. HP-38. But have used Power Pistol in .357 Sig. The loads are not updated yearly. No. Result of not working out is a kaboom and potential injury. Purchase A PDF Download Of The GUNS Magazine December 2019 Issue Now! Any brand-Small Pistol (Magnum) Details. Buffalo Bore offers a hard-hitting, high-velocity 180-grain JHP loading well-suited to taking deer-sized game at 50 yards or so. If you have I have It is suitable only for full power magnum handgun loads and .30 Carbine loads. According to Quickload .357 data using a .357, 158, Sierra JSP FN 8340. Id like to make the case that everyone who loves shooting should have a place in their safe and on their shelves for a .357 Magnum firearm and ammunition. Most everything else unique or bullseye. I'm thinking Unique, but I'm not sure. Federal Centerfire Primers. With Titegroup, say in 45ACP, you most likely could even put a triple charge in that case, I would be afraid of using it in any larger case. No purchase necessary. All entries must be received by giveaway end date. In Cowboy Action Shooting, 45 Colt guns are popular for authenticitys sake, but .357 guns are more practical from a cost standpoint. Come join the discussion about performance, gunsmithing, troubleshooting, reviews, accessories, classifieds, and more! Mail-in entries accepted; send postcards (no envelopes) to: GUNS Magazine, Altor Pistols, P.O. The powders that are considered "Magnum Powders" are: AA#9, Alliant 2400, W296/H110, both IMR & H4227, Ramshot Enforcer and VV N350. It would be great if I could also use it for .44 mag and .44 special. Theres no single cartridge that can do everything, especially not with affordability in mind. All kinds of projectiles, all kinds of usesall of them .357. gunmans right on i have used the old stand by blue dot for mag loads back when i loaded a lot of 357 mag. Just remember, in .357 Magnum, some powders can be too fast. Imostly stay with gas check bullets in all .357 Magnum loads simply because they seem to shoot a lot more accurately. , to support and defend the Constitution of the United States against all enemies, foreign and domestic. BIANCHI Speed Strips - Pair. I purchased my first when they first came out and our family has added three more since then. The Fora platform includes forum software by XenForo. Giveaway prizes may have evidence of being test fired or exhibit minor handling marks. I need to pick up projectiles for 38 and 357 for a 357 Ruger Revolver and a Rossi lever. I use it in .38 Special, .357 Mag, 45 ACP and even light loads in .41 Mag. Powders .) I do like H110 in the .357 and .44 in both the revolvers and the carbines. A comprehensive used reloading setup often comes well below the price of a new gun, and if you have one, it can make your existing Magnums so diverse in function its like owning multiple guns. Berry does not recommend running these over 1250 FPS, but all the 357 mag base loads are above 1250 FPS. Find many great new & used options and get the best deals for Dillon Precision 14400 38 Spl 357 Mag Pistol 3 Three Die Set Carbide Brand New at the best online prices at eBay! sufficiently flat for small game hunting. I agree with @Knob Creek on the clays though. Actually, that propellant is "too fast" but a-ok for reduced power paper punching ammunition with good accuracy. By FortuneCookie45LC. Contest open to U.S. residents only. It is a good solid gun but I made a few personal changes. But, this isn't the best powder for 900 f/s loads. All my .38/.357 guns love this load (S&W 642/Ruger Blackhawks/Ruger GP100/Marlin 1894 Cowboy). I have been working up some loads for my 357's (686 6", 27 5", and 28 4") using Alliant Power Pro 300MP. Head to the range this week with American Rifleman staff as they discuss a trim little repeater from Savage Arms that comes chambered for the .22 WMR cartridge. . The heavy 158-180 grain bullets are the I use 4.2 grs. I'll expand and experiment once I fully understand what I'm doing. grain JHP with 583 ft. lbs. If handgun hunting is your thing, or you want to carry a revolver for protecting from four-legged predators in the wild, the FTX bullet doesnt provide as much benefit as it does in a rifle. 07-24-2009, 06:32 PM #12. claybird. However, load them in the Henry Big Boy and we pick up 375 fps and 250 fps respectively. They list Titegroup for .357 mag with a 158 gr XTP. As others have said, Power Pistol. Hodgdon Smokeless Powder. The Fora platform includes forum software by XenForo. Personally, it would never go into a semi auto that had a partially supported chamber, never. I just use a minimum charge of 15gr of 296 with 158gr coated lead bullets.