Good .357 Load For A 3" Model 65 ?

[Walter Rego]

I did some searching but didn't find anything specific for the 3" .357 K Frame family of revolvers. I am looking for a defense load, not a maximum but more powerful than a +P .38. I prefer heavier bullets than the 125 gr.
I understand that the 135 gr. Gold Dot HP's have a good reputation but a good 158 gr. would be great too. I have had good results in the past with Blue Dot and 296 in longer barrel .357's but am open to any powder that might be optimal in a 3" barrel with low flash and blast if possible. Has anyone worked up such a load in a Model 65 or Model 13 for example with a 3" barrel ? Thanks

 

[Mule88]

Ive used 6 gn universal clays behind the 158 speer GD bullet with great results, shoots to point of aim in my 3 inch 65.

 

[ArchAngelCD]

A good .357 Magnum load is a good load not matter which .357 Magnum revolver you shoot it from.

My favorite full power .357 Magnum load is a 158gr JHP bullet over a full charge of W296/H110. If you want something lighter try using HS-6 or Longshot.

 

[Charles]

For low flash try Ramshot Silhouette or Accurate Arms #9.

http://www.ramshot.com/powders/loadguide/Ramshot_4.4_Load_guide.pdf

http://www.accuratepowder.com/data/AccGuidev3.4version.pdf

 

[bronco45]

I use a Cast SWCHP 158grain over 12.2 grains of 2400 and a standard primer in a 357 case. Accurate, has good authority and shoots to Point of Aim in my 3" 65.

My Chrono broke but I think it's doing about 1000fps and it is easy to do fast follow up shots. All my K frame 357s shoot this load well; without worry of stressing K frame magnums.

 

[ArchAngelCD]

To tell you the truth for the most part buying powders is like buying cars and other brand loyal items IMO. If you like Alliant powders buy 2400. If you like Accurate powders buy AA#9 but IMO all the "Magnum" powder will do a good job.

You have many to choose from:
IMR4227
H4227
2400
W296/H110
AA#9
Lil'Gun
Enforcer
and probably one or two I missed like the VV powders.

They will all do a good job in the .357 Magnum or any other Magnum you load...

 

[jibjab]

I have a Ruger Sec. Six with a 2.75" barrel, it shoots very well with AA#9 with 158-180gr bullets at or near maximum loads. 2400 is more down load friendly in my opinion and a better choice in cold temps. I would consider these two powders good choices for .357 mag loads with a 3" barrel.
I have tried Blue Dot and did not care for it for .357 mag. AA#7 was mediocre, and AA#5 worked very well for loads between 38spl and .357 mag.

 

[OKFC05]

might be optimal in a 3" barrel with low flash and blast if possible. Has anyone worked up such a load in a Model 65 or Model 13

Yes, if fact I have a handload that practically duplicates the Speer GD Short Barrel but predates it by many years.

Here's the problem: If you want maximum power, it will always come from heavy charges of slow powder. Lighter charges of faster powder are going to be less velocity, but less blast and flash and more pleasant to shoot. You can't have both max power and low blast and flash.

If you look in the Speer manual for handkloads that duplicate the short barrel factory loads, it lists many loads with medium powders. If you want max power, use slow powders, and hang on..

 

[Fred Beagle]

Hey all. I too am trying to get a good point of aim load. Tried all the fast powders but dont make power and shoot low at 50 feet. "UP" it to the slow powders.... 2400, lil gun and the medium HS6 was alright. Any experience with Vit's... V3N37? or Blue Dot? This gun definately likes some velocity 850fps + to get smaller and smaller groups. But running 10 to 10 1/2 grs of slow powder is a bit uneconomical. 6.5 of HS6 okay but running more pressure to get the velocity and its dirty with lead. I'm thinking something in between like the mentioned Blue Dot or Vit might be next step. Maybe even a medium bullet a 130 or 135 moly coated from BBI or Precision maybe could round it off. THats enough rambling. Let me know what you think.

 

[David LaPell]

The 162 grain lead SWC (solid point) Lyman bullet # 358156 with a gas check and 13.0 grains of 2400. It does wonders out of my 3 1/2 inch Model 27. Recoil isn't bad at all.

 

[flash60601]

The 162 grain lead SWC (solid point) Lyman bullet # 358156 with a gas check and 13.0 grains of 2400. It does wonders out of my 3 1/2 inch Model 27. Recoil isn't bad at all.

This bullet, and its evil twin brother without the gas-check shoot well in my 19's, with 14.0 of 2400. Smart recoil, medium flash, but just about POA at 25 yds.

Flash

 

[ArchAngelCD]

Hey all. I too am trying to get a good point of aim load. Tried all the fast powders but dont make power and shoot low at 50 feet. "UP" it to the slow powders.... 2400, lil gun and the medium HS6 was alright. Any experience with Vit's... V3N37? or Blue Dot? This gun definately likes some velocity 850fps + to get smaller and smaller groups. But running 10 to 10 1/2 grs of slow powder is a bit uneconomical. 6.5 of HS6 okay but running more pressure to get the velocity and its dirty with lead. I'm thinking something in between like the mentioned Blue Dot or Vit might be next step. Maybe even a medium bullet a 130 or 135 moly coated from BBI or Precision maybe could round it off. THats enough rambling. Let me know what you think.

I'm a little surprised you found HS-6 to be dirty. When loaded up near the top end of the pressure range I find HS-6 to be extremely clean and accurate with lower pressures than most powders in the same range.

If you don't like HS-6 you might want to give Longshot a try but only with Jacketed bullets, not lead. With Lead bullets you might like Universal.

 

[Fred Beagle]

I should clarify the HS6 experience as being dirty is with 6 gr behind a 200 grn LRNFP BB out of a 625 45acp. I love the velocity it can give me, but is no where clean like WST. I am going to revisit that for the Mod 65 with more rounds at 6.6 gr and see what happens as I've only put a dozen or so through with the 38, initial test was better than the fast powders but not quite where it needs to be.

Universal was showing decent potential but I ran that with lead before and would get dirty enough in summer (and smokey) to where cleaning was neccessary after a 100 rounds. I'll use this Model 65 for indoor IDPA & ICORE matches.

Group size of two inch or better at 50 feet is about the most I need it too do offhand, its point of aim that's been the problem. Most everything runs left then up or down, with or without a rest.

I found 10 gr 2400 and 10 gr Lil Gun work pretty good but hotter than needed. Getting 3" groups off hand with Lil Gun on center but running dirty after just a few rounds. Its a low pressure powder for sure. 2400 was running low but I see you guys using quite a bit more than 10 gr. I'll give that a try, but 10 gr was running 987 fps so it's getting hotter than needed. The Lil Gun ran 927 fps. 880 fps is all I need for power factor, but without accuracy power is irrelevant.

Any experience with Lil Gun in anything else? I like that powder for hunting and heavy bullets. Always looking for recipes and stories for Lil Gun. Big fan.

Gas checks a benefit at all if running under 1100 fps? I use Dardas Hard cast bullets 15-16 BHN. All bevel base.

 

[flash60601]

Gas checks a benefit at all if running under 1100 fps? I use Dardas Hard cast bullets 15-16 BHN. All bevel base.

To me it seeemed that gas-checks became a value at or above 1200 fps. Below that, I didn't see any apprecaible difference, but I was casting all my bullets fairly hard, then. Near on the order of Lyman #2, but with an extra dollop of tin.

Flash