what is your favorite .357 mag load?

[pukester]

Lyman -156GC over 15 grs 2400. The Lee similar boolit is a suitable substitute. I haven't chrono'ed it, but should be around 1250 or thereabouts.

I chrony your above powder quite a bit,..Unless you are shooting a 2 inch snubby, you are going to get a lot more velocity than 1250 fps.

[pukester]

masscaster, Double check your data!!! the load that you just listed is more that 20% over handbook max.

sierrawhiskey, Your pressure figures/advice are bit odd.

20 nickles, I use Win. small pistol primers with lilgun

158 grain original 357 magnum load had more 2400 in it than the one just listed,.. If it's unsafe for your gun,...your gun must not be a heavy frame 357.

[pukester]

My 357 loads are nearly all 15.3 grains of 2400 with a 158 gr. lee gas check bullet. The velocity of that is near 1800fps in my model 92 levergun, and with my 6 inch ruger...a bit under 1600 fps,..4 inch ruger is barely under 1500 fps,..3 inch ruger (can't remember). Snubby I think is it bit under 1300ish. 4" GP100 is a tad slower than 4" security six...maybe 10 to 20 fps.

[Conditor22]

summary of thread, + = number of people liking that load

150= boolit weight
blue dot 9.5 12 = grains of powder

155
231 5
H110/W296 15.5 15.7

158
4227 15
2400 13.5 ++++ 14 ++ 14.5 15 ++++
red dot 6.2
Bullseye 6.4
Unique 6 ++ 6.1 6.4 ++
blue dot 9.5 10 +++++ 10.5 ++ danwesson
HS-6 7.5 9.8 10.2
H110/W296 14.5 ++
Accurate #7 10

160
2400 12 15.2

165
H110/W296 14.5 15 ++
2400 12 13 13.5 ++ 14
HS-6 9
blue dot 10 ++ STANDARD PRIMER

5.9gr. Unique, 357 brass, standard primers, 158 gr cast My favorite load for IPSC shooting and general enjoyment

YMMV, always confirm any load data from a forum with published data before using

[robg]

165gngc 13.5 gn 2400 spp =1550fps in my win trapper 195gngc 11.5gn 2400 =1250fps in trapper. 7grain true blue 158gn pb lee boolit shoots well for a medium load ,havent chronyed it.

[Cosmic_Charlie]

Right now it is a HBWC over 2.8 gr. Bullseye. My Model 27 has tight cylinders just over groove diameter so I'm having difficulty with cast boolits in it. Got some powder coated Lee 125 rn sized to .357 to try out over 5 gr. Titegroup.

[sghart3578]

Lately I have been having good luck with the RCBS 38-162-SWC over 16 gr of 296 in my Marlin.


Steve in N CA

[Rodfac]

358156 gc (gc annealed), over 13.5 gr of 2400 with standard primers. Alloy: WW + 2% tin, air cooled and sized to 0.358". Loaded in Starline .357 Magnum brass, this combination is superbly accurate in a pair of Smith 19's, another pair of Smith 66's, and two Ruger 50th Anniversary Flat Tom BH's.

In my Marlin 1894 CS, I size bullets to 0.359" with the same load and get sub-2" groups at 100 yds with a 2.5x Leupold Alaskan scope mounted. For best accuracy, I've trimmed all of my cases to a uniform length, thereby getting a more uniform roll crimp. Too, I visually inspect those bullets for any imperfections but do not weigh them. HTH's Rod