BEST POWDER FOR .357 MAG?

partisan

Now that you guys have helped me with my primer problem, I need advice on which powder(s) are best for the .357 mag. Thanks, again!

101stguy

I have used 2400 for years with very acceptable accuracy.

hrbie

I tried enforcer in my 357 loads and liked it. It shot pretty hot but my groupings were tight. And if all else fails, go to Unique. Still my go to powder.

BHAVIN

What kind of loads? Target or performance?

smith52

My favorite for .357mag target loads is Winchester 231

gunnut505

You have asked a difficult and involved question.
Some powders perform better in heavy bullet loads; some others are better with lighter bullets.
If economy is the primary loading factor; get the cheapest pound of powder you can find, and SOMEONE will have made a load for it.
If you want definitive answers; buy the MidwayUSA Loadmap for the 357mag. All bullet weights are represented, and every powder available (that performed well) is included.

dcs shooters

Midway doesn't make the Loadmap anymore. If you want a manual for 357 only, order the LOADBOOK USA 357 MAGNUM HANDGUN AND RIFLE Reloading Manual, $6.99 from Midway. It has a bunch of different powder and bullet load data.

partisan

Thanks to all!!!

Rifleman34

Hodgdon Tite Group works realy well with 125gr. bullet with a charge of 7.5 = 1497+/- groups well also.

mbsams

I use H110 for hot ones and Unique for target loads

dcs shooters

My Green Dot load has taken a few deer with my 8" DW.

Colonel Plink

quote:Originally posted by mbsams
I use H110 for hot ones and Unique for target loads


That's my preference as well.

2400 gets 158-grain bullets cookin' along real well, but I've found that H110 tends to group them better our of my six-inch Model 28. Part of that may be that I tend to get flinchier with 2400-powered loads, but I tend to baby that old Smith anyway.

5mmgunguy

Good old Unique.

Warren

dtknowles

For hot loads with heavy bullet I use H110 and for target loads I use 231. I have tried Lil Gun and like it and think I could better than the H110 loads using it but I have good loads using h110 so I put the Lil Gun load development on the back burner not much data out there on this application so I would be on my own.

glabray

H110 usually gives the highest velocity with heavy bullets. Don't use it for light loads however as it can detonate in small loads. 2400 is a also good for heavy loads but it often leaves a lot of unburned flakes. These tend to lodge behind the extractor star and if allowed to build up can bind the cylinder.

oneoldsap

I have used W-296 for years . HOT

rong

good ole powders
Unique for revolvers
and bullseye for for semi-s

nagalfar

Blue Dot, Unique and 700X.. in that order.. they are really versatile, and I can get tight groups and great FPS with the Blue Dot in my 10mm.. but my 9 and .357 unique and 700X..

chiefr

I have tried all of them and settled on Unique.

44shotdoctor

Unique I have to say is the best all round powder. I also shoot bullseye. They are almost the same but bullseye burns cleaner. For the smokin hot loads I like either h110 or 296. All the powders above are excellent and I use them all on a regular basis.

k_townman

Herc 2400

reloader44mag

I'm a Blue Dot guy for a 158gr. in .357mag