Recently I loaded up and test fired two loads that the experienced shooters on this board have recommended. I found both to shoot great!
Gun: Model 19-3 6" barrel
Bullet: RCBS 38-150-KT (156 grains cast of COWW)
Lube: Red Carnauba
Sized: .358
Brass: Federal .357 Magnum
Load #1: 5.0 grains Red Dot - average 978 fps
Load #2: 6.5 grains Unique
Crimp: roll - medium
The Red Dot load is not much more powerful than a 38 Special +P load. Its strengths are accuracy and economy. You can make up the same load with 4.5 grains Red Dot in 38 Special brass for similar accuracy, the same average velocity, and lower extreme spread.
According to some of the gurus on this board, the Unique load is about the hottest load you can make with Unique before starting to suffer loss of accuracy and/or leading from excessive pressure. I have not shot that one over the chrony. Anyone have good velocity data on that one?
So, if you have some Red Dot or some Unique, and you want to enjoy some mild to medium loads in your 357, you can't go wrong with these classics, and you can't go wrong accumulating the advice of the experienced guys on this board.