Favorite .357 lever gun load?

[cabezaverde]

Both plinker and full power? Rossi 92.

[CoolHandMoss]

:popcorn:

[Nobade]

OK, mine are somewhat unconventional. Browning '92, light load is the Lee 158 RN, 38 spl cases, 5.0gr.AA#5 + 1cc poly shot buffer. Makes a standard pressure 38 spl load that also works in revolvers and is super accurate in the rifle. Full power is a Ranch Dog 190 or RCBS 200, sized down and paper patched to .359, seated out to touch the rifling, over all the Lil' Gun I can fit in the case and lit by small rifle primers. Essentially a 357 Max load, and too long to feed. Super accurate and nipping at the heels of standard 35 Remington performance.

[357Mag]

Cabez -

Howdy !

My go-to "N" frame .357Mag load ( also good in the 1894SC I had ) is 14.5gr WW296 and SP Mag primer, under a Lyman SWC of 158-172gr.
I myself never left the need to run these GC'd, and leading wasn't a problem.


With regards,
357Mag

[Prairie Cowboy]

Favorite heavy hunting load:

158 grain JSP / 17.0 grains Hodgdons H110 / 1800 FPS / 38,400 CUP
- Lyman 48th Reloading Handbook

Favorite light load:

Lee 358-150-1R RN / 5.0 grains Hodgdons Universal / about 1100 FPS / about 15,800 CUP
- Lyman 48th Reloading Manual (extrapolated from .38 Special revolver data using .357 magnum cases)

[Gewehr-Guy]

My Rossi is incredibly accurate with 15 grs. Lil Gun and the Thompson bullet, the 358156 HP.

[Vopie]

In my Browning -92 favorite load is 158 JHP or 357446 w/ 16.0 grs. ww-296 and a small pistol mag. primer.

[imashooter2]

10.5 grains of 2400 under a SAECO #353 makes a great plinking load.

14.5 grains of Lil Gun under one of the group buy 180 grain WFN GC boolits smokes out of my 1894C at 1,732 FPS average.
12.5 grains of 2400 under the same boolit gets a bit less at 1,544 FPS average.

[curiousgeorge]

357 mag case - 14.5 grs H110/W296 - 358156

This has been my dream load to do everything with in my Marlin

[T-Bird]

Plinking load: 8gr AA#5 mag case, Lee 158 RNFP. Hunting load: 13.5gr H110, CCI mag sm pistol primer, Accurate 180gc mold (can't remember the number). Coated Hi-Tec.

[trapper9260]

What I shot in my BH I shoot the same ammo in my Rossi. I had some problem with the Rossi and had my gunsmith to fix it and he tested it with what ammo he had He said that it was accurate at 100 yards hit a 6 " steel plate . He was surprise .

[Goldstar225]

Marlin 1894CS

Max load - Remington 158 JSP over 18.3 grains of Alliant 300 MP in magnum case- 1890 FPS and 4" at 100 yards with peep sights.

Still working on a light load using a RCBS 150 SWC. Right now I'm loading 3.5 grains of W231/HP38 in a magnum case for 900 FPS.

[Walks]

Full Power;
Saeco #354-13.0grs 2400, WSPM primer. Rifle or NM Blackhawk only. It's a bit HOT, but I've used it for 35yrs. ACCURATE
Lyman #358156-14.5grs 2400, WSP. This too is a bit over book Max, but used it for 50yrs in M27, NM Blkhk. ACCURATE
Plinking or Cowboy Shooting;
Lee #358-158-RF - 3.0grs Bullseye or TiteGroup, WSP. Good Accuracy

[indian joe]

21 grains of FFFg or FFFFg blackpowder under a 158 grain LEE Flatpoint
The 357 mag makes a really cool little blackpowder round -

[sghart3578]

180 gr WFN GC over 12.5 gr of 2400 for just over 1500 fps. Accurate and stout enough for what I need.

Lee 125 gr RF over 4.0 gr Bullseye. Never chronoe'd but no recoil and very accurate.


Steve in N CA

[white cloud]

21 grains of FFFg or FFFFg blackpowder under a 158 grain LEE Flatpoint
The 357 mag makes a really cool little blackpowder round -

Do you have any idea of what velocity you are getting? This is quite interesting.

[rockrat]

17.2gr MP300 with the Remington 180gr 357max bullet for my Marlin and 4.5gr red dot under a 158gr rnfp for plinking

[Handloader109]

Plinker? Ha, 38special..... 3.5 gr Bullseye over 142 SWC Easy on anyone.

357- 5.3gr Bullseye over 158gr Powder coated and to kick it up an notch, 16 gr H110 over a 158XTP.

[downzero]

My favorite cowboy load is 2.7 grains of Clays under a 125 lee RF in 38 brass.

Full power, probably H110 with a 158 Keith bullet. I think my load is in the 16 grain range in magnum brass. I don't shoot too many of these, but it'll really show you what kind of power 357 Magnum can have.

[winelover]

Normally, I'd recommend 2400 powder. Did a recent ladder test in my Rossi 92 with SR 4759 with a Accurate 158 RNFP. Shot the best 100yd groups, I've ever shot, were with 12.5 grains in that carbine. Close to 1 MOA for five shots. Thirteen grains, wasn't too shabby, either.

Winelover

[MT Gianni]

Light load Lee 125 rf 4 gr BE.
Medium load in 357 358156 HP in 38 cases crimped long and 13.5 gr 2400.
Heavy load NOE 160 RF and a healthy dose of H110.

[CoolHandMoss]

What luck. My 94 is getting a custom stock made and this thread comes up. I'm going to load up some of the loads suggested so I can try them out whenever I get it back!

So far my favorite load is 170 gr Keith swc over 11.7 gr #9.

[Bzcraig]

Plunder-125gr Lee over 5gr BE
Full power- 200gr Lee over 10gr 2400

[indian joe]

Do you have any idea of what velocity you are getting? This is quite interesting.

Didnt chrono it and a mate has the rifle now - I may have understated the load too (will get back to you on that) from the sound of it and the way it shot - seemed like a decent load for blackpowder (1100Fps or so) It was a 1970's era Rossi 92 carbine made just a really cool, accurate little BP rifle. . The LEE boolit takes enough lube to keep fouling under control. Didnt have any problems with blowby residue into the action. It was just easy and fun.

[AntiqueSledMan]

Hey Guys,

I haven't been loading the 357 for quite a while,
my load was a Lyman 358156 w/gas check above 15 gr. Hercules 2400.
Maybe to hot for handgun, I can't remember.
We shot these through my Rossi 92, and my son's 94 Marlin Cowboy.
They shoot very good.

AntiqueSledMan.

[badguybuster]

This was a 158 grain Keith style hard cast, a few years ago i made a passel of these. Over 17.5 grains of Lil Gun. This group was shot at 75 yards out of my Winchster 94 with a 24" barrel.

[outdoorfan]

357 mag cases. 360640 (150 gr version in hp form), 6.3 gr's unique, 1300 fps. Same bullet, 18 grains lilgun, 2050 fps. 185-190 grain wfn (Lars design), 16 grains lilgun, 1800 fps. Rossi 92

[Jim22]

Hmmm... Sounds like many are using cast boolits to good effect in their Marlin 1894's. I have been avoiding their use because of the microgroove rifling. Guess I'll have to give 'em a try.

My heavy load is 18.4 grs. of W296 behind a 158 gr JSP and a CCI small rifle primer.

[robg]

165gngc boolit 13.5gn 2400=1550 fps
195gngc boolit 11.5gn 2400 =1350 fps
in my trapper both very accurate 5 shot groups around an inch at 50 yards 2 inch at 100.

[saturn]

38 cases- 358429 PC'd over 4.5 w231 win spp
357 cases- 180gr LBT wfn PC'd over 13.5 WC620 CCI 550 primers
Both work great in rossi 92 and GP-100

[ChuckJaxFL]

Full power, cast: 358156 over 17.8gr 300mp (50 yard target)
https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20210112/cf776690289c8a7aa957a95b44775f48.jpg

Full power, jacketed: 158xtp over 17.3gr LilGun (100 yard target)
https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20210112/6cd9fe86e732615ba2e206b59d28ae0b.jpg


Plinker: 000 buckshot over 3.5gr Trail Boss (38spl case)


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[Cheyenne4090]

My load in a 1892 Rossi with a 26" Octagon Green Mountain 20:1 twist barrel is 13.5 gr 296 and a 180gr MBC Coated striker bullet doing 1,600fps. I have won several offhand gong matches shooting out to 200 yds with this combination.

[imashooter2]

A 26 inch octagon barrel! Do you carry it to the line in a wheelbarrow? :kidding:[smilie=l:

[indian joe]

Didnt chrono it and a mate has the rifle now - I may have understated the load too (will get back to you on that) from the sound of it and the way it shot - seemed like a decent load for blackpowder (1100Fps or so) It was a 1970's era Rossi 92 carbine made just a really cool, accurate little BP rifle. . The LEE boolit takes enough lube to keep fouling under control. Didnt have any problems with blowby residue into the action. It was just easy and fun.

For White Cloud
I did understate the Blackpowder load - 26 grains of FFFg (scale weight) was what we did not 21.

[indian joe]

A 26 inch octagon barrel! Do you carry it to the line in a wheelbarrow? :kidding:[smilie=l:

275275

Winchester model 92 ....38/40 .....26 inch half octagon half round - it weighs 6.55 pounds -------no wheelbarrow required

My favrit offhand cartridge rifle!!!

[chickenpot]

Favorite full power for Rossi 92 - 15gr H110 over Lee 158 swcgc- 2500 lube, flashing gas check, srp -I put a Marble tang sight on the rear and a Lyman 17 globe on the front, and it really makes for a good shooter. Can't recall a time i sat down and got a 100 yd group, because I spend all the time dusting clays off the berm at the same line

Fav plinking load - lee 158 rf over 5.0 gr unique, 2500 lube, spp. this does around 1150 out of the lever gun

[sghart3578]

Hmmm... Sounds like many are using cast boolits to good effect in their Marlin 1894's. I have been avoiding their use because of the microgroove rifling. Guess I'll have to give 'em a try.

My heavy load is 18.4 grs. of W296 behind a 158 gr JSP and a CCI small rifle primer.


Size your cast bullets to .360" let the magic happen.


Steve in N CA

[Jack Stanley]

For plinking , a 158 grain Lyman round nose and 3.5 of bullseye in a 38 case . Something just a little more , an LBT 180 grain flat nose with 4.7 Unique in a 38 case .

For the magnum the same LBT bullet with gas check and enough Accurate Arms number nine to make you smile . Works great in "N' frame Smith revolvers and the .357 carbine .

Jack

[Ron in PA]

My plinking load is 6 gr of Unique and a 158 lee rnfp bullet.

[Conditor22]

not a lever 357 but yesterday I had good results with:

HS-6 10.2grn 7/8" group...... 158 RF.... .358 sized

in an IMI 357 mag Timberwolf pump rifle

[Bubba w/a 45/70]

Size your cast bullets to .360" let the magic happen.


Steve in N CA

Agreed.

100%

[Bubba w/a 45/70]

275275

Winchester model 92 ....38/40 .....26 inch half octagon half round - it weighs 6.55 pounds -------no wheelbarrow required

My favrit offhand cartridge rifle!!!


That is one purdy rifle! Thumbs UP!

[Tim357]

not a lever 357 but yesterday I had good results with:

HS-6 10.2grn 7/8" group...... 158 RF.... .358 sized

in an IMI 357 mag Timberwolf pump shotgun
I envy you the Timberwolf. Shoulda bought one 35 years ago. Sure wish they'd make them again.

[GasGuzzler]

Full power best accuracy for me and my R92 is a Lee 158 that drops at 162 SWC over around 14.5 grains A2400 and a standard primer. Second for full power is a NOE 360180GC sized to .358 over a pile of Lil'Gun.

Remember the barrel twist on the Rossi is 1:30" so keep 'em moving if you load heavy bullets.

I also like H110 and W296 as well as 300-MP.

[indian joe]

That is one purdy rifle! Thumbs UP!

Thanks I built it up from a 25/20 action - it is a sweet thing to shoot......

[4719dave]

Agreed.

100%

so what size expander do you guys use ?

[Bubba w/a 45/70]

so what size expander do you guys use ?

I guess that I didn't worry about a different size expander(whatever was in the die), and I haven't had any problems.

And for what it is worth, I haven't measured the expander either.

[AlaskaMike]

With my Rossi 92, for plinking I just use my standard .38 special load, the 150 grain RCBS 38-150-SWC over 4.0 grains of 231.

For full power I use the MP 359 Hammer (170 grain) over 18 grains of 300MP. This is a hot load and I wouldn't use it in any of my revolvers--only my model 92.

[Sam Sackett]

I have An older Interarms Rossi 92SRC that I use for plinking and cowboy shooting. Favorite load is 3.0 Bullseye behind a 125 grain home cast bullet. RF works the best, but it also eats full wadcutters, RN, SWC and TC nose . All are cast from pure (or nearly) lead sized at .358 lubed with Ben's Red. Love this gun!

[dverna]

Plinking load has been 2.7 gr of Clays in .38 case with 125-130 gr Magma bullets. Shoots well in two 1984's and an 1873 Uberti. A powder puff.

But working on an "all purpose" load for target/plinking/coyotes. Something in the .38 +P range or bit more. Full power .357 are not fun in the revolvers and I want one load for all the .357's. I have no need to hunt deer with the .357 so there is no need to push it.

[cowboy4evr]

I don't mind full power 357 magnum loads in revolvers . What I didn't enjoy was full power 44 magnum loads in a S&W 329 PD , the light weight (23 ounces empty) 44 magnun revolver . Regards Paul

[FergusonTO35]

I've settled on 7.2 grains IMR 4756 under the Lee 358-125-RF for my Marlin. I guess I'll have to try a different powder when my 4756 finally runs dry.

[derek45]

LEE 125gr or SNS 130gr with CLAYS makes a nice mild plinker for the kids

https://i.imgur.com/Vn0RzSE.jpg


XTP's and H110/w296 or 2400 for serious loads.

https://i.imgur.com/o65YpYx.jpg

[cabezaverde]

I've settled on 7.2 grains IMR 4756 under the Lee 358-125-RF for my Marlin. I guess I'll have to try a different powder when my 4756 finally runs dry.

Too bad you're not local to me.

[FergusonTO35]

I gave my 1894 some exercise with that load today and was reminded why I like it so much. Easy to shoot and accurate as anything else I have ever tried.

[Rodfac]

Ok...with Lyman's 358156GC, I like 13.5 gr of 2400 with a good crimp. My 2.5x scoped Marlin 1894CS will keep 5 shots in less than 2" at 100 yds from a rest. I've chrono'd this load at just over 1600 fps and use it on KY whitetails with good success...through and through penetration of the rib cage and a blood trail of less than 50 yds. For plinking, 6.8 of Herco or 6.5 gr of Unique will do less than 2" at 50 yds from my Marlin without leading. I size to 0.359" for the Marlin's slightly oversize bore...works well with ACWW's +2% tin. If your mold drops 'em big enough, size to 0.360"...for a better leade/throat/bore fit....mine won't but I still get great accuracy as posted above.

For jacketed bullets, Hornady's 158 gr XTP-FP will do the same as above when backed by 14.5 gr of 296 and a magnum primer. Chrono'd at 1560 fps...a great deer bullet with enough jacket strength to be useful at rifle velocities.

As always, these are my loads, safe in my guns. If interested, work up to them after consulting a GOOD loading manual and considering all of the pressure implications and the condition of your gun.

Best regards, Rod

[JSnover]

21 grains of FFFg or FFFFg blackpowder under a 158 grain LEE Flatpoint
The 357 mag makes a really cool little blackpowder round -

It does! I loaded 21.0 grains of 3F over 2.0 grains of 4759 and a 158 grain LSW years ago, I just wanted to know if it really did reduce fouling. It did and it was a lot of fun to shoot.

[DAVIDMAGNUM]

All Starline Brass:
Accurate Molds 36-155C 30-1 Alloy NRA 50/50 Lube WSP 4.5gr Greendot. Soft shooting, accurate to 100 meters and knocks over the pistol caliber rams.
Hunters Supply 193gr Hard Cast, CCI Magnum Primer 16.5gr Reloader 7 . 1400fps with single low double digit extreme spread. Accurate to 200 meters but not good for silhouette shooting. This load craters the mild steel pistol caliber targets but doesn't reliably knock over the 200 meter rams. Still very fun to shoot!

Black Powder!!!
Un-sized Starline brass lightly taper crimped around the first drive band.
Accurate Molds 36-155C DGL Lube WSP and a slightly compressed charge of Swiss 2F 158cc not weighed. Very accurate at 100 meters, I am going to try this new to me load for pistol caliber silhouette this year.

[smkummer]

Yep, a little special attention to my 90’s 1894CS micro groove 18.5”. Lyman’s 358430 195 grain UNSIZED and water quenched is such a wonderful steel pinker as it makes a more pronounced hit on a swinger steel target with 6.5 unique to keep cost down. I may go with 2400 for a faster speed when supplies come back to normal. If I size this bullet to .358, my groups really open up.

Lee’s 158 TL SWC works fine also sized to .358 with 5.1 grains unique in a 38 special plus P. Or 7.0 grains unique in a light .357 case.

Cowboy pinker is Lee’s 125 RF unsized with 2.8 bullseye in a 38 special case. Can’t go any lower or I don’t get a good bang.

[rintinglen]

RCBS 38-162/Lyman 358-156 sized .358, gas checked, and loaded with WSPM primers with 15.7 grains of H-110. I put 50 of these into a 2 inch one hole group at 50 yards with a receiver sight. My one regret with this gun is the front sight integral with the front band.

[Jim22]

Size your cast bullets to .360" let the magic happen.Steve in N CA

Will do, Steve. I just cast up some Lee 158 gr plain base boolits and powder coated them without sizing. They are close to .360". Gotta try 'em. I also have a Ruger 77/357 I want to shoot. Any tips for it?

[Bubba w/a 45/70]

Will do, Steve. I just cast up some Lee 158 gr plain base boolits and powder coated them without sizing. They are close to .360". Gotta try 'em. I also have a Ruger 77/357 I want to shoot. Any tips for it?

Only tip that I can think of with that 77/357 is to keep your OAL down so that it feeds through the magazine. That is the big limitation of that little fun toy.....and the reason I never got one. My loads wouldn't fit as loaded, and they work through all my 357 guns.....

[Rifletom]

11.5gr A2400 under a Missouri RNFP coater, std primer. Wonderful load in my Henry.
Another is 6.0gr Universal under Missouri 158 RNFP coated. But, that 180 load is pure magic!

[farmbif]

I think .360 is the only size die I ever used for anything ive ever loaded in 357 mag and they chamber in both my old Rossi 92 and the ruger six shooter.

[hornady308]

I have an M92 with a 24" oct. barrel. It loves most anything sized to .359". My plinking load is any 150-160 cast bullet with 5.5 grains of Unique and a standard primer. My hunting load is (1) the NOE 359-190-HP in a 38 Spl case, crimped in the bottom groove, over 15.5-16.0 gr of Lil Gun and a magnum primer, and (2) the Lee 358-158-RF or Lyman 358156, WCWW, over 14.0 gr 2400 with a standard primer in 357 brass. These targets were fired with open sights/old eyes or a small red dot.
280211
280212
280213

[oley55]

The load data contained below may or may not exceed published load data and has not been verified to be safe. Accordingly prudent and careful load workup procedures must applied.


My Rossi R92 with; case hardened receiver, 24" hex barrel, Marples #65 Tang and Lyman #17 says: "it doesn't know or understand why it would want or need a plinking load!"

So my normal/preferred load is a .359" BTB 185gr (187gr actual) FNGC over 15.3gr of H110 in many, many times fired Federal cases, coal 1.56". Best ever day with perfect star alignment got me a 1 3/16" group. Relooking at my records I am always in the 1.5"-1.75" realm. Again my records also show 2" or less for any load/s falling within 14.5-15.3gr of H110. Note: my groups are always 5 shot groups.

Now that I am finally casting my own, I gotta get my hands on a mold to duplicate those BTB bullets. Pretty sure they came out of an LBT mold or something very close.

I will add and can not explain why, I had horrible keyholing with IMR4227 (13.0-14.2gr). Two trips and got the same twice and have never bothered to figure out why. I expected much better from IMR4227 in that 24" barrel.

That R92 is by far my most favortist and fun rifle to shoot. Also there is something just too cool about squeezing off a round and then a 1/2 second later hearing the sound of that WFN bullet smacking that paper target 100 yards away. Just brings a grin to my face, both then and now.

[P Flados]

My son recently got a 20" steel Henry.

I happened on the "plinker" without any real effort. I load a "low recoil" 38 for the wife to shoot in an LCRx. That load, 2.5 gr Titegroup under a Lee 105 RN (the drop at 110) shoots very good. It feels more like a 22 than anything else with that load.

For a stout load, I played around with stuff I had and found that it liked my custom 180 from a mold I made for my 357AR Max. I did initial load development in 38 cases, and switched to 357 case trimmed to 38 length once I found that the gun liked the bullet.

This gun has bad vertical string when not at a node at either the top of the bottom of the POI range that is about 3" tall at 25 yards. I ended up with a load of SW Heavy Pistol powder good for a Quickload calculated 1500 fps at 35,000 psi. This puts the POI at the bottom of the POI range and provides decent groups.

280240

[NEKVT]

For a heavy bullet cast load my 1894C likes the RCBS 35-200-FN at .359 with 12.8 H110 lightly crimped over ogive to the std 1.59 OAL. Chrono'd 1470fps for 18.5". Same load w/o GC shot almost as well. Want to see what it will do with 4227.

Hornady 180 XTP over 14.0 H110 got nice round 5 shot groups just under an inch at 50yds with 2x scout set up. Haven't chrono'd this one yet.

Good light load is RCBS 148gr WC with 3.0 of just about any fast pistol powder.

[alfadan]

6.0gr unique under a RCBS 158swcgc. Or 12gr AA9 but the Unique load is easier on the ears and a is a laser beam.

[Super Sneaky Steve]

My flattest shooting best hunting round is a 125 JSP over a compressed load of H110. 21.8 grains and a small magnum primer.

Very accurate in my rifles. 2,227fps 1,376 ft/lbs out of an 18" barrel.

I would not recommend this load in any handgun.

Since my sights are a pain to adjust on my Rossi I don't really have a cast plinking load. They all have a very different POI.

[Rrusse111]

My walk around load; 9.5 gr of Blue Dot with the Lee RF 158gr boolit; Marlin 24"CB. Circa 1450fps and deadly accurate.

[Terminatorret]

My current favorite is SUBSONIC 180gr .358 cast over 6.5gr Blue Dot producing about 1090fps from a Ruger 77/357.

[robertbank]

My favourite load I got from reading Ron Flexall' writings. 14.5gr of IMR 4227 under the 359429 in 357 brass was accurate in my Rossi 92 which has since been sold to buy a Remlon 1894 in .357mag. It too shoots lights out with the same load. My Remlin seems to work best with heavy bullets run fast, I out a 1.5x5X scope on my gun to help my old eyes out. The gun is inside of 1" at 25 yards and holds that grouping to 50 yards. I am not much of a shot with a rifle but enjoy the lever guns. I needed a scope to ensure any form of accuracy so I moved over to the Marlin from the Rossi 92, Easier to clean and mount a scope on the Remlin. I do miss my Rossi though it shot really well. 14 gr. of H110 under the 358429 bullet gave me the same results using .357mag brass. Winchester SPMP were used in both loadings.

Take Care

Bob

[PAndy]

I've been shooting a lot of 800x and 180 cast/coated bullets. Mild loads 5.2 to 6.5 gr. At the low end it is down in the 1100 fps ballpark out of 20" barrel