all purpose 357 load

[olafhardt]

I want to load my light weight 357's (3", 4", 5"bbls) with a 158 gr swc at about 1100 fps that is not to loud and uses fairly small doses fast powder. I have Unique, 231 and titegroup. Iwant to exceed 38+p and doesnot kick too much. I also have some 125's I bought but I wanted to try the 158's first to decide which 6 banger mold to buy.

[NickSS]

I have used as a light magnum load a 158 gr RF lee bullet and 7 gr of unique for years. It produces ballistics around what you want and is easy to shoot compared to full house mag loads. It will let you know that you have a real mans gun in a light revolver such as my 3 inch SP 101.

[357shooter]

For a 158 SWC I like 5.3 - 5.4 grains of Unique, which may be a little light for what you are looking for. 5.0 grains of 231 would get you into the ballpark.

Some time ago I put Skeeter Skelton's favorite 357 loads in a Google spreadsheet at https://docs.google.com/spreadsheet/ccc?key=0Ar4xSLouy2aUdEZ0Q1hKcVlnQmMxQXZoeF94SEt1b 1E&authkey=CJbU0YoJ

Check his loads to make sure they produce safe pressure, with today's recipes. Maybe you'll see a load there you like. For light target loads I really like 3.5 of 700X, but that isn't what you are looking for.

The Lee TL-357-158-SWC is a very accurate bullet, but it sometimes leads at the start of the lands. My second choice is a Lyman 358-477 four cavity. FYI

[StrawHat]

I used Skeeter's load with the 358156 crimped out and loaded in 38 Specail cases for years and had a lot of fun with them. The old recipes for the 38/44 were fun to shoot also.

[Bret4207]

I used a mess of Skeeter loads in guns I probably shouldn't have with no bad results. They sure got your attention!

[Doc_Stihl]

A lee 158 SWC - TL over 6 grains of unique and a SPP.
Great load.

[9.3X62AL]

7.0 grains of Herco has become a real favorite of mine in 357 brass with #358429. This gets 1025-1050 FPS from my 4" 686, and close to 1100 FPS from the 7.5" Bishawk. Accurate as all get-out, too. Same ballistics with #358156.

The Winchester powder guide shows full-on Magnum loadings using WW-231. These could be scaled back safely to whatever load level you prefer, from target 38 Special to rompin' stompin' Maggies in 357 cases.

[2shot]

[QUOTE=9.3X62AL;1449026]7.0 grains of Herco has become a real favorite of mine in 357 brass with #358429. This gets 1025-1050 FPS from my 4" 686, and close to 1100 FPS from the 7.5" Bishawk. Accurate as all get-out, too.


I use this bullet/load alot also and it's a good one.

2shot

[TCLouis]

Lee 358 RNFP in a 6 banger

[PacMan]

Try 4.5 grains of tightgroup with a 150 - 160 grain bullet. Works in all three of my 357s.