I have not been too much of a .357 shooter since I sold my 19 back in 1980 much preferring a .41. That said I now find myself "accumulating" .357s to the tune of two 27-2s, 3" 66, two 60-10s and a 4" GP100.

My main interest is standardizing a bullet weight for the two 27s. They will mainly be for target shooting and some long range work. I have a bunch of both cast and jacketed bullets in the 158-160 grain weight range. Looking for some loads that are on the warm side but don't have to be full out..

I have H110, Blue Dot, AA9 and 2400 available....

Thanks...Bob

Check the Skeeter Skelton link on here:

Skeeter Skelton

If it was good enough for Skeeter....

15.3 gr 2400 with 158 LSWC has been the "standard" .357 load since 1935, and is still fine, even if the manuals top out at 14.5 now. Reduce to 11.5-12.5 for a moderate load.

My model 27 really likes 13.5gr 2400 under a 158gr LRN or LSWC.

In my experience, this load is about equal to most factory 357 magnum plinking/non-SD/non-hunting loadings.

I use my 357 Magnums mainly in my rifles, a 1904 vintage octogon barreled 1892 re-barreled in 357 Magnum by a previous owner and a new Rossi round barrel M92. The Winchester is set up with a rear tang peep sight in a co-witness arraignment with the standard buckhorn sight setup and the Rossi currently has a 1.75X Nikon Monarch EER scope mounted on a scout rail.

The most accurate load I've found for the Winchester is a 158 grain Hornady XTP with 14.8 grains of H110. This load clocks 1615 fps from the 20 inch barrel and I've managed groups just a whisker under 1 inch at 50 yards in full daylight. Second most accurate load is a 140 grain XTP over 17.5 grains of H110. This one clocks 1875 fps and groups just at 1.5 inches at 50 yards. The 140 grain load also shoots hits about 2 inches right at 50 yards which still has me scratching my head.

Out of the Rossi both bullet weights group at 1.62 inch at 50 yards at an indoor range with the 140 grain load hitting about 3/8 inch lower than the 158 grain load. Because the Rossi also features a 20 inch barrel I expect that the produced velocities are similar. As for the larger group size, in the dim lighting at this indoor range I suspect seeing the target clearly enough is part of the issue. Prior to installing the scope I was able to shoot the Rossi under an inch at 25 yards using reading glasses with the buckhorn sights.

Finally, I've chronographed the 158 grain load out of a 6 inch Dan Wesson and the velocity produced was 1200 fps. As for the accuracy, I can't see handgun sights worth a hoot without using reading glasses and the outdoor range I was shooting at mandated the use of ballistic rated eyewear. So, I did a bit of squinting and managed to keep 18 rounds fired within a 9 inch circle at 50 yards.

I recently acquired 2 lbs. of 2400 and with all the good things I've heard about this powder I plan to giving it a try next spring. I also intend to pick up a 4 power scout scope for the Rossi to see if it can do better. One thing I can say for certain is I'm a real fan of the Hornady XTP line of bullets, every load I've built using these bullets has been quite accurate.

14.7 of 2400 is sweet! 158 gr jacketed.
Jim

Thanks for all the replies...when I get back home from the Holiday's I'll have a good place to start...

And I have several hundred of Skeeter's favorite 357156 Lyman/Thompson GC around somewhere...

Bob

Around 1200 FPS when I last chrono'd some long loaded #156s in .38 Special cases. Not sure what today's 2400 will get.

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Good shooting.

I've good luck with AA-9 in magnum loads, burns nice and clean.

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John

I fired a thousand 158 gr. HP Zero bullets in my Ruger with 12.5 grs. of AA9. It's not a max load but one I'm very happy with. First target is 25 yards.


Top right hand 5 at 165 yrds.

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Joshua 1:9

Of the powders you mention I have experience with two, 296/H110
and 2400. For use in 4" revolvers I much prefer 2400 and have found
that reduced loads of 296 give low velocity and very large ES. For
decent velocity in 4" barrels, 1200 fps or a bit more, with 158 gr cast
bullets try 12.0-12.5 grs 2400 and a magnum primer. I've found 2400
to be much more consistant in 4" and under barrels when paired with
magnum primers.

Out of a 6" 686 I averaged 1250 FPS using a Zero 158 grain jacketed soft point on top of 14 grains of 2400 .

296 has always worked fine for me with 158 gr cast and jacketed bullets.

The AA#9 burns cleaner than 296 and 2400.

I would try all of them and your revolver will tell you which one it like the best. A top load of 296 will probably be best IME.

If I could only find 2400 or A#9.......... ***, sniffle.

158 with 13.5 2400 and std primers for medimum-ish load.

AA#9 whould be great for this , but don't have a number for you off top of head.

Man! Aint dat da trute !