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View Poll Results: Best powder for 357 mag 158gr plated SWC target load
Bullseye 9 13.04%
Accurate #2 1 1.45%
W-231 24 34.78%
Universal Clays 5 7.25%
Unique 21 30.43%
Power Pistol 9 13.04%
Voters: 69. You may not vote on this poll

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  #1  
Old 07-04-2015, 06:18 PM
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Best powder for 357 mag 158gr plated SWC target Loads Best powder for 357 mag 158gr plated SWC target Loads Best powder for 357 mag 158gr plated SWC target Loads Best powder for 357 mag 158gr plated SWC target Loads Best powder for 357 mag 158gr plated SWC target Loads  
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Default Best powder for 357 mag 158gr plated SWC target Loads

I have 6 different powders in my cabinet to choose from. So I'd like to see what the consensus is on which is best for clean shooting moderate power target loads. These will be shot from a 2-1/2", 3" and 4" barrels.
Here's the list from fastest to slowest. Pick the one you've used and like the best.
See my similar poll for loading 44 mag
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  #2  
Old 07-04-2015, 06:33 PM
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Best powder for 357 mag 158gr plated SWC target Loads Best powder for 357 mag 158gr plated SWC target Loads  
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W-231 or HP38 same stuff different label gets my vote
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  #3  
Old 07-04-2015, 08:49 PM
Moe Mentum Moe Mentum is offline
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Best powder for 357 mag 158gr plated SWC target Loads Best powder for 357 mag 158gr plated SWC target Loads Best powder for 357 mag 158gr plated SWC target Loads Best powder for 357 mag 158gr plated SWC target Loads Best powder for 357 mag 158gr plated SWC target Loads  
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+1 W231/HP38
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  #4  
Old 07-04-2015, 09:09 PM
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Best powder for 357 mag 158gr plated SWC target Loads  
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I chose Bullseye because you didn't list Clays...not Universal, just Clays...the REALLY fast stuff. 4.0gr of Clays under an Xtreme 158 plated SWC is a consistent laser.

I just messed with 4.5gr of Bullseye under Xtreme plated 158gr flat points yesterday, and was very happy.
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  #5  
Old 07-04-2015, 10:55 PM
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Best powder for 357 mag 158gr plated SWC target Loads Best powder for 357 mag 158gr plated SWC target Loads Best powder for 357 mag 158gr plated SWC target Loads Best powder for 357 mag 158gr plated SWC target Loads Best powder for 357 mag 158gr plated SWC target Loads  
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I picked Bullseye because you didn't list Red Dot.

You listed a 2 1/2" barrel (which is an odd length on an S&W where you'd expect 1 7/8" or 2 1/8") and for sub 3" barrels, a faster powder like Red Dot or Bullseye will give you very good results - and you don't lose anything in longer barrels with light to moderate loads.

Win 231/HP-38, Unique and Universal are all close enough in burn rate where choosing between them is just a matter of preference rather than a matter of performance. They are great in 4" and 6" barrels, but you'll get more consistency overall in your short and long barrels with Red Dot, Clays or Bullseye.
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  #6  
Old 07-04-2015, 11:24 PM
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Best powder for 357 mag 158gr plated SWC target Loads Best powder for 357 mag 158gr plated SWC target Loads Best powder for 357 mag 158gr plated SWC target Loads Best powder for 357 mag 158gr plated SWC target Loads Best powder for 357 mag 158gr plated SWC target Loads  
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Quote:
Originally Posted by BB57 View Post
I picked Bullseye because you didn't list Red Dot.

You listed a 2 1/2" barrel (which is an odd length on an S&W where you'd expect 1 7/8" or 2 1/8")...
That would be because it isn't a S&W barrel
One of my favorite CC guns is a Rossi M971 with a 2-1/2" barrel.

Basically its a K-frame sized stainless 6-shot 357 with a grip almost exactly like a J-frame square-butt. The smaller grip makes it more concealable than a larger set of K-frame grips, but being square-butt makes it easier to get a good grip on it.

Really a great compromise IMO.
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Old 07-04-2015, 11:35 PM
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l have been shooting Power Pistol quite a bit lately and find it does quite nicely with Berry's Plated 158gr swc plated bullets. lts kinda taken Unique's place lately since the latter is nowhere to be found. Their performance seems about with Pwr Pistol being lots cleaner
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  #8  
Old 07-05-2015, 12:42 AM
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Best powder for 357 mag 158gr plated SWC target Loads Best powder for 357 mag 158gr plated SWC target Loads Best powder for 357 mag 158gr plated SWC target Loads Best powder for 357 mag 158gr plated SWC target Loads Best powder for 357 mag 158gr plated SWC target Loads  
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Nobody has any good feedback for the AA#2? I've got more of that than anything else.

Last edited by BC38; 07-05-2015 at 02:02 AM.
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  #9  
Old 07-05-2015, 01:41 AM
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Best powder for 357 mag 158gr plated SWC target Loads Best powder for 357 mag 158gr plated SWC target Loads Best powder for 357 mag 158gr plated SWC target Loads Best powder for 357 mag 158gr plated SWC target Loads Best powder for 357 mag 158gr plated SWC target Loads  
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I like a little bit slower powder with plated than I do with lead because I push them a little harder, so I use Universal. Unique would be 2nd choice for me.
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Old 07-05-2015, 02:10 AM
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Best powder for 357 mag 158gr plated SWC target Loads Best powder for 357 mag 158gr plated SWC target Loads Best powder for 357 mag 158gr plated SWC target Loads Best powder for 357 mag 158gr plated SWC target Loads Best powder for 357 mag 158gr plated SWC target Loads  
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Default I haven't tried #2.....

Quote:
Originally Posted by BC38 View Post
Nobody has any good feedback for the AA#2? I've got more of that than anything else.
I haven't tried Acc #2 but Acc #7 is great stuff. I'd hope the other powders in the line would be as good.
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  #11  
Old 07-05-2015, 09:11 AM
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Best powder for 357 mag 158gr plated SWC target Loads Best powder for 357 mag 158gr plated SWC target Loads Best powder for 357 mag 158gr plated SWC target Loads Best powder for 357 mag 158gr plated SWC target Loads Best powder for 357 mag 158gr plated SWC target Loads  
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Quote:
Originally Posted by BC38 View Post
That would be because it isn't a S&W barrel
One of my favorite CC guns is a Rossi M971 with a 2-1/2" barrel.

Basically its a K-frame sized stainless 6-shot 357 with a grip almost exactly like a J-frame square-butt. The smaller grip makes it more concealable than a larger set of K-frame grips, but being square-butt makes it easier to get a good grip on it.

Really a great compromise IMO.
Heretic!

Actually I've been known to shoot a Rossi Model 68 from time to time to give my Model 36s a break.
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  #12  
Old 07-05-2015, 10:52 PM
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Best powder for 357 mag 158gr plated SWC target Loads Best powder for 357 mag 158gr plated SWC target Loads Best powder for 357 mag 158gr plated SWC target Loads Best powder for 357 mag 158gr plated SWC target Loads Best powder for 357 mag 158gr plated SWC target Loads  
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Quote:
Originally Posted by BB57 View Post
Heretic!

Actually I've been known to shoot a Rossi Model 68 from time to time to give my Model 36s a break.
LOL! That isn't even the worst of my heresy, I'm afraid.

My ''3-inch N-frame" is actually an Astra Terminator - a 6-shot 44 magnum.

Like the Rossi, the frame is one size (N-frame), but it has the next smaller frame size grips (K-frame) - though in this case it is a RB grip.
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  #13  
Old 07-05-2015, 11:52 PM
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Best powder for 357 mag 158gr plated SWC target Loads Best powder for 357 mag 158gr plated SWC target Loads Best powder for 357 mag 158gr plated SWC target Loads Best powder for 357 mag 158gr plated SWC target Loads Best powder for 357 mag 158gr plated SWC target Loads  
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6.5 gr s Power Pistol under a 158 gr cast bullet is about as good as it gets for target work.


No crimp, either.

Use standard primers no matter what the data say.
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  #14  
Old 07-06-2015, 12:05 AM
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I would vote None of Those Listed. IMO the best choice for a 158 grain plated wadcutter would be Accurate #7. As for #2, in the 357 Magnum it's too fast for any plated bullet heavier than 125 grains.
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  #15  
Old 07-06-2015, 12:46 AM
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Best powder for 357 mag 158gr plated SWC target Loads Best powder for 357 mag 158gr plated SWC target Loads Best powder for 357 mag 158gr plated SWC target Loads Best powder for 357 mag 158gr plated SWC target Loads Best powder for 357 mag 158gr plated SWC target Loads  
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Quote:
Originally Posted by scooter123 View Post
I would vote None of Those Listed. IMO the best choice for a 158 grain plated wadcutter would be Accurate #7. As for #2, in the 357 Magnum it's too fast for any plated bullet heavier than 125 grains.
OK, how about a 158gr LSWC? I have a few of those too.
And I have some 125gr too (though I have more of the 158gr).

Last edited by BC38; 07-06-2015 at 01:09 AM.
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Old 07-06-2015, 07:12 AM
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I don't have any experience with Power Pistol so I have no idea what it's metering properties are like. Of what you have listed the closest to #7 in Burn rate is that Power Pistol so give that a try. Based on the Burn Rate it will be useable for light recoiling powder puff loads. However, if you ever happen on any of the Accurate Handgun powders snap up all you can carry out of the store. Because you won't find anything that meters as well as these powders except for H110/296. Personally I use #7 for 1200 fps loads with 158 grain Hard Cast bullets and use #9 for 1200 fps for loads with 159 grain Jacketed bullets.
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  #17  
Old 07-07-2015, 02:58 AM
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Best powder for 357 mag 158gr plated SWC target Loads Best powder for 357 mag 158gr plated SWC target Loads Best powder for 357 mag 158gr plated SWC target Loads Best powder for 357 mag 158gr plated SWC target Loads Best powder for 357 mag 158gr plated SWC target Loads  
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Quote:
Originally Posted by scooter123 View Post
I don't have any experience with Power Pistol so I have no idea what it's metering properties are like. Of what you have listed the closest to #7 in Burn rate is that Power Pistol so give that a try. Based on the Burn Rate it will be useable for light recoiling powder puff loads. However, if you ever happen on any of the Accurate Handgun powders snap up all you can carry out of the store. Because you won't find anything that meters as well as these powders except for H110/296. Personally I use #7 for 1200 fps loads with 158 grain Hard Cast bullets and use #9 for 1200 fps for loads with 159 grain Jacketed bullets.
One of the choices in the poll is Accurate #2 - so I already got a bunch of their powder - just not the #7 or #9 that you're recommending...

I find it really interesting that several people have voted for BE - which is the next faster powder listed, and several more have voted for the W231 - which is the next slower powder in the list, but nobody has voted for the Accurate #2 (I cast the one vote that it has got - just so I can see the poll results without having to click on the button)

Last edited by BC38; 07-11-2015 at 01:16 AM.
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  #18  
Old 07-07-2015, 06:39 AM
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Accurate #2 is good for light recoiling 38 special loads but too fast to develop anything close to a Magnum load. Try and push ANY "fast" powder too hard and you risk going way over recommended pressures, so that's why nobody is voting for #2. Of that list the only two powders I see listed are Unique and Power Pistol and with Power Pistol being the slowest that is what I think the OP should start with. I also loathe the poor metering qualities of Unique which is a real shame because in 45 ACP Unique can produce distinctly accurate ammunition.
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  #19  
Old 07-07-2015, 10:52 AM
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Best powder for 357 mag 158gr plated SWC target Loads Best powder for 357 mag 158gr plated SWC target Loads Best powder for 357 mag 158gr plated SWC target Loads Best powder for 357 mag 158gr plated SWC target Loads Best powder for 357 mag 158gr plated SWC target Loads  
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Lead bullet.............

Bullseye or w231 hands down for light target loads.

Medium slow powders for 930 + fps.
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