short barrel .357 mag loads

mbsams

I have a 4" ported Taurus and I am using 9.0gr of Unique with a Win 125JHP and standard primer. I like the load, clean and groups well, good pressure. I don't have a chrony. The loading manuals indicate I could get 300fps or so more if I used a powder like H110 but all are out of longer guns. My gut feeling is I would get a lot of flash, bang, and little increase in vel. from my short barrel. Anyone with experience in this area please advise.

44shotdoctor

Sure you can shoot H110 or 296 out of this gun. In your manaual they are just giving the barrel length tested and velocities. However you are pushing it to the limit using a 125g bullet. I do shoot these loads but with 158g bullets. If you shooting this load for the first time you will be amazed at the power and the flash. Myself I usually shoot 158g lead with bullesye or unique as a everyday load then clean out the barrel with these loads. They are fun but in limited quanities as they are hard on your firearm.

B17-P51

I can't suggest a load for you except to say that I shoot a lot of ACCURATE brand powder. I find it to be cheap to shoot as it is somewhat cheaper to buy, at least around here.I am amazed that you find Unique to be clean as most of the Hercules ( yes I'm that old! ) powders are generally referred to as flammable dirt. I quit shooting them years ago except in older firearms that are shot for pleasure only with very light loads.

Mobuck

A moderate burn rate powder might give best results. AA#7 is pretty good.

458winshooter

Try a can of Vihtavuori N-110.It will give you about the same results as N-110 but with much less flash.It also burns very clean as well.