.357 loads

[jubela#4]

I recently got set up to load .357/.38 on a Dillon Square Deal B. I have loaded .41, .44, .45 Colt and .45 ACP on the same machine for a number of years but have never loaded .357/.38.

I was wondering what load recipes others are using from plinking/target rounds to full house rounds.
I will be using 158 grain hard cast SWC bullets to start off with.

Thanks to all who reply.

 

[Vulcan Bob]

For a nice mild mid range load with a 158 LSWC, I use 6.8 of Unique with a standard primer. For full power I use 14.5 of 2400 with a mag primer under either a cast or jacketed 158gr bullet. Both of these loads are accurate out of all of my .357's.

 

[RalphK22]

13.5 to 14.5 grs. of 2400 seems to be a popular load. 14grs of 2400 with a CCI non magnum primer (think that is CCI 500 small pistol) works well for me with a 158 gr SWC.

 

[ray45]

There is a 16.2 Lil'Gun powder load that uses 357 cases and 158 grain Hornady xtp with standard primers. Most any JHP should work. You can find it on marlinowners.com. The load is contributed by "PJapa John"

 

[Hook686]

My light weight load for J-Frame is 6.8 grains of Unique, and standard primer.

mid range load for Marlin Carbine and L-Frame revolver is 13.5 grains of 2400, and magnum primer.

Full load for Desert Eagle and Marlin Carbine 14.5 grains 2400, and magnum primer.

All cases use 158 grain SJSP bullet.

 

[Steve C]

For the .38 spl I usually load 4.5grs of W231 or 5.0gr of Unique with a soft bullet.

For the .357 mag and a 158gr LSWC I load between 6.5 and 6.7grs of Unique for a practice load. For a full power load running over 1,250 fps from a 4" barrel I like 12.2 grs of AA#9 or 13.5 grs of 2400 but usually load jacketed bullets at full magnum level.

 

[Missionary]

Good morning
First load I ever used was 7 grains Unique with a 158 grain cast... shot so good I still load that after all these years in all my 357´s.

 

[Pisgah]

Everyone who reloads for a .38/.357 revolver will have one or two favorite loads. Problem is, that won't necessarily help you one bit. Guns are individuals, and what mine loves, yours may hate.

I just did a quick Google search for .38 and .357 reload data and got right at 320,000 hits. Every one of those gives someone sterling performance in some gun. You have plenty of choices to try and see which works best in your gun.

 

[acl864]

...........

 

[jubela#4]

Thanks for all the replies.

I use alot of Unique and 2400 in the 40 calibers and was thinking they would work well with 38/357. Thanks again.

 

[Dave T]

Alliant, the makers of 2400, have been quoted as recommending standard primers rather than magnum primers for 2400 loads. Elmer Keith always used standard LP primers in his famous 44 Magnum load of 22g of 2400. Just an FYI.

Dave

 

[WaMike]

I use 16.3 gr. of H110/W296 (assuming you're using newer powders) for 158 gr. cast gas checked (Lyman) or 158 BB Lazercast. That's a fairly hefty load, but very accurate in my 4" Smith 586.

I've also used 14.8 H110/W296 under the same bullets, and my notes say "accurate, pleasant to shoot." Think I was younger then....;)

Be sure to use magnum primers for H110/W296.