Let's talk "hot 357 Mag loads"

[m657]

Been loading cast lead moderate charges of 125~158 grain in the 900-1100 fps range in 38 special for so long it's about time to get a bigger recipe loaded. Have a few 158 SWC 357 Mag at near 1200 fps, still looking for a little more zip without barrel fouling or unpleasant issues arising.

Looking for discussion on JHP/JFPL 357 mag in 125-158 range, for 1300-1500fps territory. These will be used in modern Ruger & S&W revolvers.

Have Blue Dot/W231/HP38/800x/700x/H110/Universal Clays/Unique/Bullseye/2400/HS6 on hand.

I'm thinking an upper & lower charge sample with 3 or 4 powders from this group will give me a good look at such as recoil/flash/accuracy/pleasantness to fire.

Have 125 JHP on hand, got potential source of 158 JHP as well.

Can use magnum primers or standards.

Tips/comments/caustic admonitions/favorite recipes solicited.

 

[WR Moore]

Most of the powders you mention are Alliant. Check their website for load data.

Check Hogdon for the HS-6.

Based upon experience with issue Federal 125 gr Magnums, I dropped to ~1250 fps with 125s of my own. Much easier on me & the gun, minimal effect upon terminal effects.

 

[lebomm]

Try a Lyman 358429 170gr LSWC over 15.0gr 2400. It's a thumper in my Ruger NMBH.

Larry

 

[bmcgilvray]

15 grains of 2400 will launch a 158 grain cast lead bullet to 1406 fps from a sturdy N-Frame .357 Magnum revolver.

I tend to the heavier bullets in the glorious .357 Magnum cartridge, leaving the lightweight 110-125 grain bullets to "lesser" cartridges.

 

[silentflyer]

Check the forum for Skeeter Skeltons favorite loads, they have worked for me for 40 years.

 

[colt_saa]

I have been loading the Winchester 125JHP on top of 21.7 grains of H110 for decades now. CCI550 for ignition.

1300 FPS from my 3 1/2" 27
1600 FPS from my 8" Python
2200 FPS from my 20" model 92

This is one of my favorite 357MAG loads. I have probably sent close to 20,000 of these down range by now.

 

[cal50]

If you want top flight loads WW 296 or H110 is a better pick.

 

[27 Man]

Try a Lyman 358156 w/ GC and 15.0 grains of 2400 with a standard small pistol primer. Use a N frame.

 

[retired_diver]

You list blue dot, I've shot 125gr JHP with 13.0 gr BD @1330 (mag primers) out of my 6" Ruger gp100 and my M27-1. It is very "snappy" much more than when I use 2400. It does have the starting signs of max load with some times flatten primers though. This load is listed in Speer #12 reloading manual. It is over 490+ f# of energy.

 

[hangnoose]

SPEED FREAK

what gun/frame and bbl length? 2400 feels and sounds like a full hot load no matter the charge to me and the speer manual seems to be much higher in powder charges than the others. I don't care to give out specific loads. sorry. try reloadersnest.com

 

[125JHP]

Don't do what I did.... come up with a load a little over max then pick up the wrong powder... the 158gr XTP choro'd at 1800+fps from my 6" 686. Of course it pierced the primer and blew the firing pin recoil shield back at a tilt. I had to send her back to S&W for repairs . Nowadays I try to keep better track of what I'm doing at the load bench.

 

[rwsmith]

I think the heavier bullets

The heavier bullets seem natural for the .357. I find shooting the lighter bullets to be a bit of a kick (fun), though some problems have been reported with 125 grain bullets, usually forcing cone cracking. I don't know how true it is but I feel it may relate more to fouling in the cone than something being wrong with 125 grain bullets and .357s. I find 2400 gets very close to max velocity with several bullet weights. Because the 110 powders only have about a 3% range to work in while 2400 has about a 10% range I find 2400 to be more versatile. I'm settling on a 158 gr cast bullet for my main fare, but I like to experiment so I'll be using lighter jacketed bullets too. Right now I have some 140 grain jhps that I feel are a pretty good balance of weight vs. velocity.

 

[Nevada Ed]

I leave the little 110 Jhp to the 38 and will use the 125 at 1450fps for a SD load in the 357 magnum but the 357 is really at its best with 140gr bullets or heavier.
I have pushed the 158 lead to 1320 fps but at these velocities I prefer jacketed bullets to keep clean up time to a minimum.
All those powders will work but they all have their good and bad points.............some are great with target loads, some middle of the road and the slower powders will get you the higher fps with the heavier bullets.
As mentioned, Alliant does give out data on its thread as well as Hodgdon but they have been watered down a little for the old days and are quite safe in all weapons.
The 158 Jhp will give you a good amount of recoil if that is want you want and there are even 180gr bullets to play with.
Just follow the data and have fun...................
Those hot loads are for a L frame or better, right ?

 

[m657]

thanks a TON for the ideas gents.....there's a BUNCH I wanna try here.

 

[snowman]

I have been loading the Winchester 125JHP on top of 21.7 grains of H110 for decades now. CCI550 for ignition.

1300 FPS from my 3 1/2" 27
1600 FPS from my 8" Python
2200 FPS from my 20" model 92

This is one of my favorite 357MAG loads. I have probably sent close to 20,000 of these down range by now.

colt: Do you get any flame-cutting to speak of with this load?

OP: I use 16gr. of vv. N110 with a 125gr. JHP. This powder's burn rate is about equal to 2400, according to the charts. I get close to 1400 fps. out of a 4" 686.

Andy

 

[colt_saa]

colt: Do you get any flame-cutting to speak of with this load?

OP: I use 16gr. of vv. N110 with a 125gr. JHP. This powder's burn rate is about equal to 2400, according to the charts. I get close to 1400 fps. out of a 4" 686.

Andy

Absolutely there is

topstrap cutting is a way overblown issue. It has been around since SuperVel pioneered light projectile 357s at high velocity back in the 1970s.

I have been shooting 357s since that day and I have never seen or even heard of a revolver failure due to topstrap cutting

 

[m657]

Between some buddies we're going to do a bit of trials with these platforms:

2nd gen SAA Colt; 5 1/2"
Several varieties of Ruger GP100 & security 6; 4 & 6"
4" python;
4" S&W 686;
5.5" S&W 627 PC;
should make a good day at the range

Now....to draw up some loads.....

 

[m657]

Absolutely there is

topstrap cutting is a way overblown issue. It has been around since SuperVel pioneered light projectile 357s at high velocity back in the 1970s.

I have been shooting 357s since that day and I have never seen or even heard of a revolver failure due to topstrap cutting

Didn't I hear the 357 maximum was plagued by top strap cutting? Or was it discontinued due to other factors?

 

[colt_saa]

Didn't I hear the 357 maximum was plagued by top strap cutting? Or was it discontinued due to other factors?

The 357 Maximum revolvers were heavily criticized for top-strap cutting when using 125 grain projectiles. Because of this criticism buyers were scared and sales dropped eventually the revolvers were discontinued.

Again, none ever failed that I have seen or heard of. However if you were going to try and intentionally cause a topstrap failure, the 357Max with 110JHPs and lots of H110 would be one way to go. Or you could do the same with a 357/44B&D

I own two Dan Wesson 357 Maximum revolvers and a 357/44B&D S&W, there is no big deal with the topstrap cutting on any of them.

 

[moxie]

I've had very good results with various types of 125 JHPs and 2400. Unique also works well for milder loads.