Sweet spot Universal 357 Mag Mid Range 158 gr swc

38SPL HV · Jul 18, 2017

Revisited some old loads - a real nice mid range 357 Magnum load which I would like to pass on:

Powder - 6.0 grs Universal
Primer - Winchester Small Pistol Magnum
Bullet - 158 gr SWC cast
Case - 357 Mag

This data is consistent within Hodgdon reloading data for this powder and bullet type (they specify Win Small Pistol Magnum primers).

This is a very accurate round in my Ruger Blackhawk. A nice working load between 38 Spl +P and 357 Magnum levels. I recall approx. 1,000 fps + in 6 inch revolver (Magnum primers, I recall, helped with ES/SDs and really tightened my groups).

Mule88 · Jul 18, 2017

Ive used this same load with great success.

Redford · Jul 18, 2017

Same load I found to work the best

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DumpStick · Jul 18, 2017

Thanks for the tip. I have been struggling to settle on a good shooting load for the 357. I've been all over the place, from AA5 to AA7 to HS6, with side trips into several other powders. I can't seem to find a good load.

I have a jug of Universal, I'll try this load.

stan v · Jul 18, 2017

Would ya'll shoot this load in a model 19/66?

Qc Pistolero · Jul 18, 2017

stan v said:
Would ya'll shoot this load in a model 19/66?

If it moves a 158gr at 1000fps,it would be perfectly safe to shoot in a K frame .357.I'll even add that it is an easily controllable but effective load to shoot!
Qc

cowboy4evr · Jul 18, 2017

A 158gr cast bullet @ 1000-1100 fps approx is my favorite load in my model 19 ,6" barrel using Winchester Superfield . For years I shot a 180 gr cast bullet with a max charge of W296 ( current load data ) . That model 19 is as tight today as the day I bought it. K-frames 357's aren't " the weak sisters " that many believe . But yes, they do have their limitations . Regards, Paul

stan v · Jul 19, 2017

Ok, cause I've been loading 4grs of Universal with 158 RNFP's and they shoot fine.

DumpStick · Jul 19, 2017

Okay folks here's one for you. In post #4, I commented that I was struggling to find a good load for 357. The more I thought about this Universal load, the more familiar it sounded.

I went and dug out my notes. I've tried that load, or very similar. I went to 5.9g Universal with a Lee TL358-158-2R.
New Starline brass, CCI500 (SP) primers, 1.624 OAL

Here's my chrono numbers, out of a Ruger 6" GP-100 -

1009 fps, ES 47, SD 15.6

These numbers are probably 12 shots ( 2 cylinders). I didn't note that, but it's my SOP.

Note - I was using SPP, not Mag primers. Looking at the ES number, I don't think the load needs Mag primers. I may try it with SPMP, just to see, however, I regularly see factory ammo with ES in the 70's.
I did a ladder, from 5g to 5.9g, with .3g steps. As the charge went up, the spread went down. I stopped at 5.9g, don't know why. Hodgdon allows 6.2g.

Turns out, I wasn't struggling to come up with a load; I was struggling to remember I HAD come up with a load !

Fortunately, I keep notes. Now, I need to load up some 357 Mag anyway, so I'll use that 6g Universal load.

DumpStick · Jul 19, 2017

stan v said:
Ok, cause I've been loading 4grs of Universal with 158 RNFP's and they shoot fine.

I didn't chrono 4g, but I did chrono 5g.

In a 6" GP-100, 5g Universal clocked 810 fps. Your 4g load is probably somewhere in the high 600's.

stan v · Jul 19, 2017

DumpStick said:
I didn't chrono 4g, but I did chrono 5g.

In a 6" GP-100, 5g Universal clocked 810 fps. Your 4g load is probably somewhere in the high 600's.

I'll tell you next time I take my chrono to camp. Which is soon.

Hodgdon says 890 FPS with 10" barrel. I use a 6" and 4"

Was yours a lead or jacketed bullet?

Oh, I use magnum primers.

DumpStick · Jul 19, 2017

stan v said:
Was yours a lead or jacketed bullet?

Lead.
Lee TL358-158-2R, which is a tumble-lube round-nose. I cast it from 50/50 COWW/Range lead, + 1% Sn, it drops about 160-161 grains.
45-45-10 lube, unsized (loaded as-cast).

stan v · Jul 19, 2017

Obviously I have lots of room to increase this load. I'm protective of my k frames. Generally they only see 38 loads in 357 brass. But, my 586 and 1894C 357!!

Nevada Ed · Jul 19, 2017

6.0grs of Universal Clays is a very nice light target load in a .357 magnum
with a 158gr lead bullet.

Years back I loaded a Sutter's Cast 158gr lead Swc at a oal of 1.62"
with a medium crimp and 6.5grs of UC in my 686 6" spit out, 1156fps
and had a ES spread of only 27.

My maximum load tested cranked out 1271fps with a ES of 34.
As a note, the same fps as the maximum loading of BE-86 !!

38SPL HV · Jul 20, 2017

Thanks Ed for the info

38SPL HV · Jul 20, 2017

That Universal 6.0 grs load is real nice - I don't load 357s to Magnum velocities anymore preferring factory loads (Rem/Win/Fed 158 gr JSPs, and Buffalo Bore 180 grainers for the dinosaurs)

Greenjoytj · Apr 20, 2019

I know this is an older thread, I found it searching for a 357 Magnum load.
This thread sound good so I bought some Hodgdon Universal, it the new stuff that’s made in Canada the powder flakes have a redish colour like clay bricks.
I chrono’d the 6 gr. load of Universal with CCI 550 primers and a commercially cast 158 gr. SWC bullet in Starline cases.
From a S&W 686-6 PC “Competitor” model 6” barrel I shot 3, ten shot strings across my Shooting Chrony here are my results.
String 1
Low 1078, Hi 1196, Av 1150, ES 118.2, SD 35.07

String 2
Low 1095, Hi 1170, Av 1145, ES 75.41, SD 22.62

String 3
Low 1103, Hi 1159, Av 1143, ES 55.84, SD 19.07

Average of the 3 averages is 1146, a little faster than the 1000 fps I was looking for but I can choose to load lighter, but the 6 gr load was very accurate and comfortable to shoot.

cowboy4evr · Apr 20, 2019

Yes , I too realize this is an older thread but I will pass along my " everyday carry load " for the 357's in K , L , and N frame Smiths . It might help someone looking for just something like this . Using a 158 gr swc , I load 7.5 grs . of WSF (Winchester Super Field ) . It is " laser " accurate in all my guns , probably around 1100 fps , depending on barrel length , gun etc . It also is very very clean shooting . It fills my need for a real good mid range load in that caliber . . Regards, Paul

sniper · Apr 22, 2019

Old post or not, some very good information, here. I have been loading 5.2 gr. Universal/158 cast bullets in 357 brass, standard primers. Match Champion, 4" barrel. Nice load, but no chronograph, so I don't know the velocity. I have been wondering if I could go to 5.7 gr., which is what my powder measure throws. Probably a good, mild load, and 6 grains is there should I feel the need. Thanks, all!

Psweigle · Apr 29, 2019

I will add my 10.5 grain hs7 load with magnum primers to the list. Works very well in the coonan and 77/357 rifle as well. I too am using the lee tl 158gr rn. I powdercoat mine though.

Sweet spot Universal 357 Mag Mid Range 158 gr swc

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