Mild 357 loads

Cyrano

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I use the H&G 51GC bullet in my Ruger Security Six 357; it's a 158 gr SWC bullet with gas check. For business loads I use 14.5 grs of W231 powder. But now I'm looking for a softer load, about 3/4 or 2/3 throttle. Anyone have a good one that gives nice accuracy? I'd prefer the following powders: Unique, AA#5, or 2400.
 
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14.5grs of W231 would just about guarantee a KB as that's over 2X maximum load listed by Winchester. Are you sure you don't mean W296?

For a lighter load try 6.0grs of Unique which should be just north of 1,000 fps in most 4" revolvers.
 
Because I have used the 14.5 grain load of 2400 under the 158 grain bullet in my 686 and Marlin 1894C I'm pretty sure Cyrano made a (W231) typo in his OP.

Cryano, I have also used 5.5 grains of Unique and between 11.0 and 12.5 grains of 2400 for softer shooting and very accurate loads in the 357 as well.
 
The OP started the thread yesterday. Maybe he shot his 14.5g 231 load and can't type anymore?

The above is intended as a joke...sure hope it isn't true.

Dave
 
For nice mild loads try YTrail Boss powder. The reloading data is on the Hodgdon website - as I remember my load was ca 3.7 ggr. Trail Boss with a 158 gr. LRN bnullet.
 
i like and use the 11-12.5grs. of 2400 (as stated) with the 158gr. swc easy to shoot all day.
 
I use 5g W231 under such a bullet in a magnum case for a nice .38Spl +P duplicate load. I'm quite sertain you could go to 6g if you wanted more zip, but there's better powders for that, like Unique.
 
The OP started the thread yesterday. Maybe he shot his 14.5g 231 load and can't type anymore?

The above is intended as a joke...sure hope it isn't true.

Dave

It's OK it was in a Ruger! Also a poor attempt at humor. Surely it's a misprint/mistype
 
A mild .357 load

I have been reloading isnce 1970.
A mild .357 load is a .38 Special load above 700 fps.
 
A Ruger can take it-don't know about these Smith's.:D
 
In spite of the W231 Typo I would suggest using HS-6 for a good middle-hot .357 Magnum load.
 
My face is RED. Double Oops: I meant 14.5 grs of W296. Are those reduced loads suitable for regular primers? I use magnum primers with 296.
 
I've done a 14.0gr charge of H110 behind a 158gr Hornady XTP that is surprisingly mild in my 327 TRR8 (I use small pistol magnum primers with it). According to my Hornady manual, that should be good for somewhere in the 1200fps neighborhood- plenty powerful enough to do most anything, mild enough to not beat you all up in a full sized gun.

But that may be not as mild as you're wanting.
 
My face is RED. Double Oops: I meant 14.5 grs of W296. Are those reduced loads suitable for regular primers? I use magnum primers with 296.

Glad to see you are OK;)

The only powder I use SP mag primers is H110/Win 296. That's why I like 2400, it can be reduced more and does not call for Mag primers. As others mentioned Unique will do the job with less powder and regular primers.
 
One of my most accurate 357 loads in my 686 is 11.5gr 2400 under 158gr X-treme plated RNFP bullet.
Mild but very accurate.
 
14.5 grs of W231 powder with a 158 gr SWC in the 357 mag? I don't think so.

Thinking the same thing. Rugers are tough but...:eek:

I see some people go even lighter than I do with the 2400. Lightest I've gone is 12.6gr under a 158gr boolit. It's still got some pop tho, and hits POA @10yds out of my 6" M28.

I like to load 4gr of Green Dot under a 158gr cast SWC in a magnum case with a light taper crimp. It's essentially a .38+P without the worry of a carbon ring.

The OP started the thread yesterday. Maybe he shot his 14.5g 231 load and can't type anymore?

The above is intended as a joke...sure hope it isn't true.

Dave

When I was fairly new to reloading I almost rolled some 2400 loads with Bullseye. :eek:

That is why I never have more than one can of powder on my bench at any time. Also justifies my stocking only 3 types of powder. I can say KISS, but in reallity I'm just cheap and lazy. ;)
 
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