Accurate 357mag loads

[BigBill]

I don't own a S&W in 357mag yet. But i did have a 70's colt python that always shot high at 25yds. Finally oneday at the range with my brother in law a LEO i had him watch at the 100yd berm and i hit a small rock with all six shots. My point is i found the 357 to have pin point accuracy using my 140gr JHP speer loads using 2400 gun powder with a magnum primer at 100yds. I'm not sure yet if this load works on all 357mag revolvers. Does any 140gr bullet seem to be the sweet spot for your 357mag?

 

[M29since14]

I have never seen a good reason to handload lighter bullets in my .357s than the usual 158s (or thereabouts) so I can't comment on 140s. Sorry.

But, I have always had very good luck with #2400 powder in the .357, in my case with the 358156 gas-check bullet, and always with standard primers.

My guns are older, adjustable sight models - 19s, 66s, 586s, and 27s. If I have trouble zeroing at 25-yards with this load, there is a problem with the gun. Sometimes I can fix that with a different rear sight blade, and rarely the gun has had to be returned for repair. I have sent two .357s back because of the problem you mention. Both were Model 66s - one was a 2.5-inch gun that shot about a foot high, and the other one was a 6-inch gun that would not even stay on the target for six-rounds at about 15-yards. I imagine the 6-inch gun must have had a bad barrel, so that was probably not a zero problem, per se.

 

[kentguy]

BigBill,

I have a S&W model 28-2 357 magnum w/6" barrel and I have tested and made up a pretty accurate load for my gun using the 140g XPB HP (Barnes). The 140g XTP HP (Hornady) works just as well. These two bullets are virtually identical in size & weight.
Powder - Alliant 2400 @ 14.2g
Powder range - 11.9g up to 15.5g (Hornady)
Primer - Winchester WSP
Bullet seating OAL - 1.560"
Crimp - med/heavy
Velocity - 1,196.5 fps

No need for magnum primers with this load. This load give a firm but VERY managable kick, reacquisition of the target after each shot was very fast. I don't have specific numbers listed in my notes but I list that I achieved a very tight pattern at 15, 20 & 25 yards both from a gun rest and standing free hand shots, with no significant sign of over/under burn on the spent casings.

I keep some of these on the shelf and enjoy shooting them from time to time.

I hope this helps, have fun and be safe.

 

[JBnTx]

All I ever load are 158gr SWC's with 12.8grs of 2400.

 

[august1410]

Just shot a hundred or so .357 rounds I made up this afternoon...

158gr LSWC
7.0 gr Unique.

Nice and smooth in a 5" barreled Model 27.

 

[Larry from Bend]

I've shot a lot of handloaded 140 grain Nosler JHPs (still have a few hundred). They kinda "split the difference" between the 125 and the 158 so I bought and used them.

Accuracy with them is excellent but 158 grainers shoot just as well. My 357 handloads use H110.

I still remember killing 2 Coyotes in one day with that 140 grain load.

I still use 145 grain WW Silvertips in a 2 1/2" Model 19 for self defense. They are extremely accurate in this revolver.

 

[Titegroups]

There will always be the best load but plenty of them will work fine for most target work. Just because a bullet is not typical doesn't mean it'll be more accurate. I've had plenty of success with 125g lead and also 148g WC's.

 

[tappedandtagged]

I found two very accurate loads for mine. They are both with 158 grain SWC cast. 6 grains of Unique with a SPP and 12 grains of AA 9 with a SMPP. Of course the Unique ones are around a 38 spl +P while the AA loads are a firm magnum.

158 grains is THE 357 weight IMO. As the 240 is for the 44 mag. I stick with those weights.

 

[GPerry]

Does any 140gr bullet seem to be the sweet spot for your 357mag?

Gunwriter Wiley Clapp used to think so. In fact, I think he even called his load a sweet spot, but I don't recall if he used 2400 or H110. He loaded 140 JHP's at 1300 and reported exceptional accuracy from several .357 revolvers, including a 4" Ruger Gp100. His machine rest groups at 25 yds were often ragged holes for 12 shots. He wrote about it in Guns & Ammo probably 20 years ago.

 

[ArchAngelCD]

The only time I load a 140gr bullet in the .357 Magnum is when I try to replicate Speer short barrel .357 Magnum loads. (140gr Hornady bullets are a lot cheaper than the 135gr Speer bullets for practice) Most other ammo is loaded with a 158gr bullet both lead and jacketed. BUT, there is nothing wrong with using a 140gr bullet especially if they are accurate in your revolver.

 

[chief38]

I am a big fan of the 158 grain bullets in .357 Magnum and that is solely what I load.

I also stick to 158's in .38 Special as well.

 

[jrhoney]

I load 158gr LSWC with 13.5 grains of Hercules 2400 (the older stuff which is why I specified Hercules) in a .38 Special case and a magnum primer and I get really nice results with all 3 of my S&W 357s with this load.

 

[silentflyer]

158 grain SWC over 14.5 grains of 2400, if it was good enough for Skeeter Shelton its more than good enough for me.

 

[tjpopkin]

All my .357 Mags, and especially my RM, like the Montana Gold 125gr JHP and 14.5gr. of 2400. Really group well and shoot to point of aim.

Terry

 

[flash60601]

On the range where I shoot, there used to be a rock about a foot in diameter at the hundred yard spot.

A regular punishment with 158 gr (relatively hard-cast) 158 gr SWC from the Lyman mold and 13.8 gr of 2400 did it in a year or so ago. These loads worked in all my 357's from 2 1/2" to 6 1/2, and - - hold on for the heresy - - a Taurus stainless 4 1/2".

Accuracy and consistency, and of course, familiarity.

Flash

 

[DGNY]

Really good luck with 140 jacketed and hearty load of 2400 with std small pistol primer. Favorite load in 6" Python [around 2" @ 50 yds w/irons], Ruger 4 5/8" SS NM.

Regards,

Dyson

 

[GF1]

I load 15 grains of Alliant 2400 with 158 gr JHPs or JSPs, 14.5 grains w/ 158 gr hard cast SWCs; Starline brass, Federal magnum primers (though standard primers work very well w/ 2400). These are max, but I've had long brass life, easy extraction.

I shoot them in this Model 27-2, and it hasn't suffered:

 

[GF1]

Meant to also add that I agree w/ the previous comments about the 158 grain bullet in the .357...it's THE .357 bullet, IMO.