"light" 357 mag loads - suggestions?

[alwslate]

Trailboss a replacement for 4756? That's pretty funny. The two are
hardly used for the same application. There are several Hodgdon
powders I use and like but the few times that I have talked to their
reps on the phone the results have been less than stellar.

 

[Nevada Ed]

Trail Boss can replace SR 4756............ I don't think so.

Maximim TB in my 6" 686 puts out 788 fps....
SR 4756 puts out 1200 fps in just a standard loading with a 158gr lead bullet.

Did that Rep. have a temperature over 99.7 degrees ?

 

[AveragEd]

Could be. I thought the idea was flawed as well but it never hurts to ask in case you're missing something. Of course, he could have been suggesting it based upon my stated application, target-level ammo.

Ed

 

[NRA DOC]

WST

I use 4.2 grains of WST with a 158 grain copper plated flat point bullet in the .357 brass. Very accurate and pleasant to shoot.

 

[M29since14]

...Today, it is about finding pistol powder.

Isn't that the truth! These days it is, "Use whatever you can find!"

I generally don't like fast powders in magnum cases but since I was "forced" in that direction by one of our more opinionated and unrelenting forum members I have to admit I have had exceptional results with AA2. I load it to right at 1000 FPS with a 160 LSWC and it is has shot very well in all of my guns. I use standard primers and a moderate roll-crimp.

Naturally, with AA2 you had better be careful - darned careful. A double-charge of it would probably be a disaster. I think generally I am around 5.7-grs when the chronograph shows 1000 FPS. Check the AA manual - don't take my word for it.

 

[rwsmith]

The larger case capacity....

The difference between the volume of a .38 case and a .357 case is practically nil with low charges of fast powder because the empty volume in either is a LOT greater than the volume of powder. That extra .13" slice does exist in the .357 but it only makes a small difference in pressure/velocity. I make soft .38 level rounds for my wife to shoot out of my 686 which she likes a lot.

 

[Nevada Ed]

One thing to try if you have a longer length bullet like the 148 wc or 158 lead bullets..........

Case volume
length of bullet seated in case
bullet travel distance to forcing cone...... etc.

Yes a light bullet should have less recoil but some guns shoot the "Longer" , slow bullets
even better with just a slight increase in recoil.

I use the little 125 lead in my snub J frame and use my 158gr lead in the Magnum cases
that makes everyone happy, around here.

Have fun.

 

[at_liberty]

I like to load light 357 loads rather than shoot with 38 spl brass through my 586 no dash. Hate scrubbing the powder ring in the cylinders. Almost out of trailboss which with 3.2 gr and a 125gr cast swc will give me about 800fps. Any suggestions for light loads in 357?

With 125 LSWC, I use 11.0 gr HS-6. It can be lighter I suppose, because you'll know you are shooting a magnum. I use magnum primers. On 158 gr I use 10.0 gr HS-6. I don't have any data, but that's what I use and like well enough. These are Lyman book loads, as I recall.

 

[buck460XVR]

I like a 158gr JHP over 7.5 gr of Unique. Soft shooting and accurate in both my revolvers and carbines.

 

[gen3guy]

My 'go to' .357 load is 6 grains of Unique behind any 158 grain bullet. These might be a little snappier than you want, but they are definitely not full power .357 loads either. They average about 950 fps.

 

[smousefam5]

Bullseye and 158 SWC have been my favorite light load combination.