357 magnum reloading

countershaft

Any one out there that shoots the 357 magnum in both the pistol and rifle ? What bullet weights and powder type , charges do you use ? Will one load do in each ?

Rocky Raab

Loads are the same, but a given gun might prefer something quite different than another. It is highly fortuitous to find a single load that is optimum in a revolver and lever carbine - but not easy.

dcs shooters

7.2grs. of green dot shoots very good out of my Dan Wesson and 1894 Marlin.

countershaft

What bullet weight

B17-P51

I like to use heavy bullets with the 357 usually 140 to 158 grain SP for hunting. For these loads I use 2400 or H110. You must use a heavy roll crimp for these powders to perform properly.Use of a magnum primer also is reccomended especially if the hunting is done in colder climates.

For a man stopper load I like 125 gr JHP, at maximum possible velocity in your firearm with no pressure signs.

I also shoot a lot of lead (alloy) bullets (Oregon Trail or my own cast) at around 850 fps. For this I use Titegroup with a standard primer and a light roll crimp. These bullets sometimes will not shoot well in Marlin rifles with Micro Groove barells.

As for one load for both I can only say that is dependent on the pistol. A J or K frame Smith or a clone thereof-not recommended! A Ruger Blackhawk or L or N frame Smith type would handle most loads OK. Work the load up in the handgun first, then try them in the rifle and you should be OK.

WinMike

While I have several different bullets for the .357, my most accurate and preferred bullet is NEI SWC/GC bullet for both my L frame and my Browning Low Wall: as cast, it's 162 gr., lubed and gas check on, it weighs 167 gr. I load it with 14.3 gr. H110/W296, SM primer, WW case. It shoots 1296 fps in a 6" barrel, 1150 fps 4" barrel, and I haven't chronied the rifle (22").

I'm gratified that it shoots accurately, more so in the 4" and rifle (oddly, not as much in the 6", but maybe that's just me). There are a bunch of SWC/GC molds; I like gas-checked bullets because you can use a heavier, softer alloy, but the gas check prevents barrel leading.

For Lasercast 158 FP BB, I loaded 16.3 gr. of W296 (SM primer); it too is accurate, but I don't know the speeds. No leading noticed.

"Researching" my ammo cabinet for this post, I discovered I still have some Speer 158 JHP & JSP; my notes say I loaded them with 15.5 gr. of 4227: they shot 1100 fps in a 6" revolver, and 1624 fps. in a rifle. This was a Marlin 1894 that I had at time. Perhaps not incidentally, both cast & jacketed bullets shot well in this rifle, even though it had the earlier Micro-groove barrel (maybe a bargain if you can find one?) which supposedly wouldn't fire cast bullets well.

Now, you're going to make me do more "research".......[:)]

RCrosby

I've had great results with 140 gr. in both my hand and long guns.
Still, it's hard to beat a good hardcast, 158 SWC in either.

243winxb

Keep the velocity above 750 fps so jacketed bullets do not lodge in the rifle barrel. Very heavy bullets for the caliber, with long bearing surfaces are the main problem.

remingtongeo

This is one of my best sellers.
Laser Cast (Oregon Trail), 158 gr., RNFP, mag primer, 10.4 gr AA7.
Works great in everything.

Colonel Plink

quote:Originally posted by remingtongeo
This is one of my best sellers.
Laser Cast (Oregon Trail), 158 gr., RNFP, mag primer, 10.4 gr AA7.
Works great in everything.

I've had nothing less than outstanding results from Laser Cast bullets. If I had a time machine, I'd go back to when they were $35.00 a box and spend a fortune[8D]

WinMike

I agree....I use Laser Cast in 38 Spl, .357 and .44 Spl (didn't want to buy the 44 bullet molds), and they're accurate, are hard enough to not lead the barrel, yet don't break up on impact.

They really do have silver in the alloy....and yeah, the price is a wee bit higher than a few years ago.[:0]