Mild .357 Magnum Load for a K -Frame 66

[LouisianaJoe]

I have had good luck with Remington 125 gr JHP over 8.4 gr Unique. Sierra book says 1300 fps which is not max(max is 9.3gr for 1400 fps).

I shoot this in a 2 1/2" 19, 7" 686 and a 8 3/8" 27 with great accuracy. I have shot 2" groups at 50 yds with this load in the 27 from a sandbag. The lighter bullet makes this a pleasant round to shoot.

 

[michael thornton]

6.0 gr unique and a 158 cast bullet, they shoot great in my guns

 

[bronco45]

I use 12.2 grains of 2400 and a 158 gr LSWC for a 1Kfps load out of my 65 3" and it shoots to point of aim. It also shoots to point of aim with my SP101 2.25". I dial in my 19 for that load.

The load is accurate, has authority, without muzzle blast and ear splitting report, and comfortable to shoot. Easy on the firearm.

1 general load for all my 357s.

 

[mike from st pete]

Low Intensity 357MAG

For a mid range load Unique is a good one. A nice mild load is 6.0 to 6.5 gr of Unique.

I made a mild 357MAG load to keep from having to scrub out the cylinder after shooting 38SPL. 158gr LSWC over 6.2 gr of Unique. I got the load from the Speer 13 manual.

 

[just for fun]

Not long ago I requested the same information at another forum using 125 jacketed bullets. Fools that do not reload should not be allowed to comment, but alas they do. I wanted a better than 38+p load that was short of go-get-em full house 357 loads, using some of the faster powders. One gentleman did provide the following.
AA-2 5.1-7.2
Bulleye 4.5-6.5
231 4.7-7.1
Currently my area is out of 231 and 296 powders. That being said I settled on 5.0 grains of bullseye, Rainier 125 grain bullets, remington 357 cases and ICC primers. This load has added to my enjoyment of shooting my 4in L frame

 

[Hany]

I've always had good luck with 5.1g of unique or Universal and a 158g lead. Great accuracy, velocity in the 900's. Good luck

 

[bmcgilvray]

5.0 grains of Unique and a cast lead 158 grain bullet put up in .357 Magnum cases for a great shooting load for that K-Frame .357 Magnum.

 

[webley green]

Like several posters have noted, six grains of Unique with the 158 grain lead bullet is a favorite of mine. Some may recall I use Unique powder exclusively for .38 Special, .45 ACP, .45 Auto Rim and .45 Colt, usually with lead bullets. I do use W296 in my .357 Magnum loads either jacket or half jacketed bullets. When the W296 is gone, I'll likely not restock. WG

 

[bmcgilvray]

Hi Webley Green;

Unique is the one I reach for for those cartridges along with several other handgun rounds I load. Can't be beat.

 

[Ceapea]

I'm new to hand loading myself, been doing it for a month or so now. I too like light-loaded 357's and so far, my best combo with similar supplies to what you have is...

158g Xtreme plated RNFP bullets over 11.5g 2400, CCI 500 (non-magnum) primer in Remington cases. OAL is 1.530". Unfortunately I did not get chrono numbers, but the accuracy out of my 4" GP100 was fantastic! Ten out of twelve went into a 1.5" ragged hole at 25 feet. It is a keeper for me. Nice, light recoil and did I mention that it is accurate?!?!

 

[Iron Sight]

Very Accurate & comfortable out of my 686

357 Brass
Missouri Bullet Co 148G LDEWC
Win 231 -4.0 G
CCI 500 Small Pistol Primers
1.375 OAL

 

[buck460XVR]

I use 7.5 grains of Unique under a 158 JHP with a small pistol primer. Accurate and pleasant. Works well outta both my 686s and the 20'' carbine.