357 power levels?

[Boogsawaste]

Is there a general agreement on velocities/weight for low/medium/full house 357 magnums. Speaking factory ammo, what's considered what? Thanks in advance!

[358156hp]

None at all. The factorys tried releasing "medium" power 357 loads a few decades ago. Nobody bought them, and now their gone. There are no "official" standards at all. The 357 magnum is loaded at a maximum of 35,000 PSI chamber pressure, same as 9mm. You can load reduced loads in 357 brass and call them anything you want to, I suppose.

[ArchAngelCD]

These days factories are selling 158gr .357 Magnum ammo which barely reached 1250 fps. IMO we are being cheated of the full potential of that cartridge for one reason or another. (read lawyers)

[MichiganScott]

I've hand loaded waht I consider to be low at .38 Special velocities, medium to around 1000 fps, and full power at 1200 fps+, all using 158gr. bullets. My opinion only.

[Boogsawaste]

I was wondering more because of the varying velocities in same weight ammo from different manufacturers. Like those weak blazer aluminum are only rated at 1150 for a 158gr compared to what seems to be the average 1250 from other manufacturers. Or even when comparing a slightly slower 158gr to a 125 moving at 1400+. If there both loaded to 35000psi, I'm assuming the 125 would be harder on the gun.

I'm a complete noob when it comes to ammunition so if I'm saying anything off the wall just let me know. I have a few manuals on reloading, but have been so busy I haven't had time to jump into them and really absorb the info yet. Thanks guys.

[Yorkie Man]

I shot some factory loads about 30 years ago that consisted of a 158 grain soft lead swc that were hot!!!. I didn't have a chronograph back then but these loads were hotter than anything you can get today but after about 12 rounds you couldn't see the rifiling and it took hours to clean the bore. By the same token I still have some of the original .44 magnum loads with the 240 swc gc bullet that is traveling at 1350 fps out of my 5" 629. these don't lead at all but are a handful. I don't think anyone wants to load the .357 to maximum velocity anymore probably due to liability issues. You can make your own but they are hard on you and the gun but to each his own.

Mike

[rwsmith]

I've shot 'full magnums' from a well known company that people say were loaded near the top of the scale and found them to be more like medium. I loaded up my own and it got to where my hand and wrist hurt so I backed down a little. Buffalo Bore specializes in getting the most velocity out of their cartridges but they make medium loads too. Rounds for serious target shooting are usually heavy lead SWC a low <1000 fps. Depending on the weight of the bullet, velocities can be in the 1500 fps range for hot loads. Usually a jacketed or hard cast bullet are used in these.

It is a function of bullet weight and velocity to determine power in a round.

[Boogsawaste]

Make sense. I think I'll stick to using 38spl or blazer aluminum 357 for practice. From what I see the blazers are <1000 out of a 2". I was just looking for a 357 that doesn't beat up my guns too bad and save the 125 gr for carry.

Forgot to add that while looking at all the forums I always see things like "I shoot XXX .357, which is a medium load" or XXX which is a full load or HOT load, etc. Or things like "shoot medium loads like XXX in your XXX gun". That's what always confused me.

[kaaskop49]

Hi Boogs! As you've probably read, I'm a big fan of the Blazer .357 load which runs 990fps in 3" according to another poster. Great load for medium frames or steel snubs. I carry it without reservations. The only other 'practice' loads for .357 that I've seen are the Fiocchi and Armscor FMJs, the Armscor seems hotter.

[OKFC05]

Those of us with chronographs soon get a good idea of what factory ammo does in OUR guns, which is often different than factory charts, and varies widely between specific loadings. So it is probably our fault that low/medium/full house gets kicked around without any specific numbers. Also, the specific numbers vary widely between barrel lengths and specific guns.

In .357 factory, Cowboy loadings are low, Blazers and Speer short barrel are well know for being medium, and 158gr hunting loads are at the top.

Of course if you handload (and can get the powder you want) you can load any speed you want, up to max loads of WIN296.

[Boogsawaste]

Originally Posted by OKFC05

Those of us with chronographs soon get a good idea of what factory ammo does in OUR guns, which is often different than factory charts, and varies widely between specific loadings. So it is probably our fault that low/medium/full house gets kicked around without any specific numbers. Also, the specific numbers vary widely between barrel lengths and specific guns.

In .357 factory, Cowboy loadings are low, Blazers and Speer short barrel are well know for being medium, and 158gr hunting loads are at the top.

Of course if you handload (and can get the powder you want) you can load any speed you want, up to max loads of WIN296.

Now that makes sense to me. I really gotta pick up a chronograph one of these days. I've also heard the Remington golden sabers also referred to as medium.

And kaaskop49, I also like those blazers. Easy on the wallet too!

[Nevada Ed]

It is sort of funny how the 357 MAGNUM and the little 9mm in this modern time, both, now have a maximum of 35,000 psi.

A 9mm +P rates 38,500 PSI or 35,700 CUP.

Many moons ago the 357 Magnum shot factory ammo that could push 40,000 CUP.

If it keeps up the maximum "Mag" loads will be safe in the "K" frames.

[boatbum101]

I carry the Rem GS 125 JHP's in a 3" M65 . I consider it a medium load .

[Steve C]

The factories generally list their 158gr JSP/JHP bullet from the .357 mag at 1,230 -1,250 fps from a 4" barrel. 125gr JHP at full velocity is generally listed at 1,450 fps from the same 4" barrel. 180gr bullets are usually considered hunting rounds and are listed at around 1,140 fps from a 8-1/4" barrel This is typical for Remington Express, Winchester Super X, Speer Gold Dots and Federals.

Remington loads their .357 mag 125gr Golden Sabers at 1,220 fps from a 4" barrel the same as their old medium velocity loads.

Its been my experience that when I run factory ammo over the chrono the velocity measured is generally within reasonable variation due to differences in handguns to their test barrel with no more than +/- 20 fps or so. Certainly nothing to say that their published loads are inaccurate.

[Boogsawaste]

Originally Posted by Steve C

Its been my experience that when I run factory ammo over the chrono the velocity measured is generally within reasonable variation due to differences in handguns to their test barrel with no more than +/- 20 fps or so. Certainly nothing to say that their published loads are inaccurate.

Good to know.

[rwsmith]

If you want tailored loads in your guns, you HAVE to load your own.

[Boogsawaste]

I just gotta get off my butt and start reading the manuals I picked up!