So....I'm waiting for the "Magnum" in .357 Magnum

[muddocktor]

@ OP, like someone has already stated; take your loads and throw them into a J frame and get back to us. I'm afraid that an N frame like your 28 will tame down 357 Mag pretty decently, even with max power loads. If you want to up the ante in an N frame, go to a model 57 or model 29 or their stainless steel derivatives and shoot some 41 or 44 Mag rounds.

That is one thing I really like about 357 Mag, actually. It is a pretty darn potent round but is still eminently shootable in a large frame revolver or lever action carbine. Last time at the range I ran around 50 rounds through my 627 Pro and better than 100 rounds of hot 357 through my Rossi 92SRC and no pain.

 

[kennethdlarson]

Yeah, a .357 J-frame is my definition of "almost a good idea." I'd like to have that "magnum feel" and not carpal tunnel symptoms. I'll keep to my N-frame and try loading up some hard cast bullets to see what that gets me. Thanks again for all the posts!

 

[daverich4]

.and I might try a little more 2400 in the loads. Happy New Year!

Might want to take a look at the Alliant web site first. They list 14.8 grains of 2400 as max with a Speer 158 gr. GDHP. Might be better to switch to a different powder if you want more grunt.

 

[alwslate]

I have been loading the 357 magnum since the late 60s. No this doesn't
make me an expert but I have learned a few things over the years.
Magnum performance out of a 6" 28 means 1400+ fps with a cast lead
bullet with lubrication grooves and a crimp groove that you have heavily
roll crimped the case mouth into. 15.0-15.5 grs of 2400 with a magnum
primer. Winchester is my favorite. This load was basically the standard
full charge load for many years and will not batter your 28. Forget 4227
if you want the magnum in the 357. 296/H110 will give you the illusion
of magnum with flash, blast and face stinging spitting from the brl/cyl
gap but the numbers on the chrono will be lower. That's about what you
can expect unless, as mentioned above, you go to the 8 3/8" barrel 27.
296/H110 creates more forcing cone erosion than 2400. If you use
std primers and plated or jacketed bullets expect much less velocity.

 

[10xatten]

Or perhaps try a Speed Six W/125 gr. Seriously, if you have a given amount of any powder in a case, and you use a copper cased projectile which has more friction going out of the barrel than lead
, and hence, is slower, where does the extra energy go? To Heat?

 

[Nevada Ed]

Full power lead or jacket loads are fun but................

I also enjoy a 158gr Plated out of a 686 6" doing 1108 fps with a medium
heavy load of HS-6 powder.

No lead build up, medium recoil, whats not to like?

 

[Mistered]

I have to agree with the above. Been loading .357 over 30 years and probably 90 + % of those loads have been in the medium to light catagories. Reason is simple - need. Most of my shooting is offhand target & field with a lot of varmint hunting in between. I want to be able to shoot 100 - 150 rounds in a day without beating myself (or the gun) to death!

 

[alwslate]

"Try this as your "baseline"
UNDERWOOD performance357 Magnum 158 Grain Bonded Jacketed Hollow Point
Caliber: 357 Magnum
Bullet Weight: 158 Grains
Muzzle Velocity: 1500 fps
Muzzle Energy: 789 ft. lbs
Then you'll know where the "magnum" is.
It's not hard at all to load the .357 Magnum to maximum
peformance."

Actually it's not hard at all to list unrealistic specs
for the ammo you load. If you actually believe that this ammo will
chrono at 1500 fps out of a common 6" revolver just because the mfg.
lists that as the velocity ....well ... buy a box, test it and report back
please.

 

[shawn mccarver]

To the OP: The reason you are missing the "Magnum" in your loads is because you are, in effect, loading a 38/44, not a .357 Magnum.

The 38/44 pushed a 158 grainer out the door at about 1,150 fps.

The original Magnum pushed a 158 grain bullet out the 8 3/4 inch barrel at 1,550 fps.

If you want to see about what the original Magnum feels like, try Buffalo Bore SKU 19C/20.

 

[sixtwoniner]

This is crazy! I want more recoil. I want more fire. I want more pain! One of the best things about the 357 MAGNUM in an N frame is the fact that you can shoot high power rounds without beating yourself up. As stated before if you want kick and noise and lots of fire get the full MAGNUM effect of a Smith&Wesson 44 rem mag like a 29 or 629 (as previously stated). Try on 21gr. of IMR4227 under a cast gas checked 240gr SWC. The take to me about the full MAGNUM effect.

 

[mtgianni]

If you want magnum loads shoot a 180 wfn and MP300. You will spit fire with a 125 gr but.......fill in your own blank. If you want to hunt with one use a different platform.

 

[Cariboo Canuck]

...or even a k frame can be a handful in 357 mag.

I shot into the top of IPSC "B" class with a S&W M66 4" shooting 158 hardcast LSWC loads with enough of the old, smoky Unique to make IPSC "major" when it was higher than it is right now.

That means I outshot a lot of .45 1911s in the process. It was a little bear cat to hang onto, but even with my small hands, quite manageable.

After a few years, the gun began to loosen up, so I bought another.