Why is ???gr your preferred bullet weight?

[SteveJewels]

You probably have a bullet weight you prefer for target shooting.

Specifically for 357 Mag, why do you prefer that bullet weight?

Please specify weight and shape. Extra points for load data, powder, primer, and MV.

Thanks!

 

[Alk8944]

Standard for caliber, which is 158 gr. LSWC Because this is the weight and style the cartridge was originally designed around after extensive experimentation by Phillip B. Sharpe and Winchester.

For an absolute full power load I shoot this bullet with 15.3 gr. 2400 with a SPM or SR primer, usually federal or Winchester, which is the original factory load from Winchester. From the 8 3/8" barrel Model 27s (several) I have shot this in it chronographs at ca. 1520 FPS which is also the original published velocity for .357 in the 8 3/4" S&W Registered Magnums. Naturally other barrel lengths give lower velocity. This is an extremely accurate load in any .357 Magnum revolver. With proper bullet sizing and lubrication leading is no problem as it was/is with factory lead bullet loads!

You want other data look it up in any loading manual or on-line on the Hodgdon, Alliant, IMR or other web sites. Just don't give too much credence to the published velocities in these sources.

 

[Sgt. Buzzard]

Target shooting? .38 spl. 148 gr, HBWC. Doesn't burn up model 19 forcing cones either.

 

[cd228]

I go with a 158gr LSWC, so that it is easier to speed load.

If I am not using a speed loader I prefer a 148 gr wadcutter, loaded as .38 spl.

 

[colt_saa]

For full power loads I have been loading the Winchester 125 JHPs for decades with 21.7 grains of H110 lit off by a small pistol magnum primer. I have gone through over 8,000 of that projectile so far and have 3900 still sitting in the loading room waiting.

I LOVE the low throaty KAaaaBOOM that H110/296 yields . I also get great accuracy from this load

I have burned well over 100 pounds of H110/296 over the last 40 years hand loading it in the 357 Magnum and the 41 Magnum cartridges

As to real world velocities for the 125 JHP, 357 loading (not test barrels) in a . . . . . .
2 1/8" Model 640 - 1234 FPS (AVG of 3 revolvers)
2 1/2" Model 19/66 - 1287 FPS (AVG of 2 revolvers)
3 1/2" Model 27 - 1315 FPS (AVG of 1 revolvers)
5" Model 627 - 1496 FPS (AVG of 2 revolvers)
6" Model 27 - 1531 FPS (AVG of 2 revolvers)
8" Python - 1599 FPS (AVG of 1 revolvers)
10" T/C Contender - 1780 FPS (AVG of 1 firearm)
18" Model 1982 - 2106 FPS (AVG of 1 lever gun)

These were strings of 5 shots per firearm all averaged together

For my target load I have been shooting a 150 grain SWC for many years now. Originally I drove it with Unique powder but I switched to W231 many years ago for how much cleaner it burns with the particular lube that is on my projectiles

I use 5.5 grains of powder lit up by a standard pistol primer. I have never really bothered to chronograph this because it shoots so well in most of my firearms I really didn't care how fast or slow it was going

While I have not really gotten too far into the project I am working on a load that uses a one 180 grain Remington semi-jacket hollow point.

The trick in this load will be that it needs to be subsonic even from my longest lever action rifle. I intend to use this with a suppressor on the lever gun so the target velovity 1000 FPS

 

[rwsmith]

I find that in general....

...slow heavy bullets are better for accuracy, at least for me. Even heavy for caliber. The drop is very predictable and other factors seem to improve, including my shooting. I've also gotten very good results with the heavier bullets with target loads of Accurate #7 powder. I don't get into pure accuracy too much though, so the little experience I have with shooting for accuracy this bears out. I used to shoot a lot of WCs and HBWCs, but nowadays I shoot mostly SWCs in pistols. They are said to be 'not as accurate', but I don't seem to be good or dedicated enough to prove that. Just keeping what skills I've got up to scratch is about all I can muster.

PS: Oh, to explain, nearly all my general purpose/target shooting is done with medium weight bullets. That's why I don't do the heavy ones very often even though they are accurate.

 

[Nevada Ed]

I use the 125 JHP for my maximum target load or a lighter 110 JHP at reduced speeds, for less recoil.

For light target loads I go with a 158 gr lead bullet with a load that puts
a medium vel load at point of aim, for all day shooting, with the magnum case.

My revolver does well with Red Dot up to HS6 for these target loads.

 

[SGT ROCK 11B]

You probably have a bullet weight you prefer for target shooting.

CCI Mini-Mag 40 grain solid, .22 LR of course.

 

[.38SuperMan]

It really depends on the personality of the gun I’m shooting. I find different barrels shoot different loads and bullets better than others.

 

[jimmyj]

.38/.357 - 158gr
.40 S&W - 180gr
.44spl/.44 mag - 240gr
.45acp - 230gr
.45colt - 255gr

 

[glenwolde]

I shoot .38 Special loads for targets. 158gr SWC. Because 158gr is standard for the load, there's lots of history and load data for that bullet. A SWC because it cuts as clean a whole as a wadcutter. It's a versatile bullet, great for target shooting or small to medium game.

I load 4.0 gr of W231 for a shoot-all-day-load. I've been shooting the same load for 40 years. I've never found a better one but 3.7gr of WST was just as good.

You could put either up in .357 brass though you may want to increase the powder charge just a tad. But not much.

 

[panamajack310]

For me I stay with what has proven to work. In K frames I use 158gr .357
L frames, 125gr and 158 gr .357.
.40s&w I use 180gr and 165 gr.
9mm I use 115gr.

 

[mtgianni]

I have 5 molds for 357 between 148 and 162 gr. Different shapes, some gas checked and some plain based. I like the weight as it has enough substance to penetrate and enough velocity to get it there.

I do have a plinking load with 125 gr round flat nose bullets in the 38 with 5 gr bullseye. It gets shot in levers for fun.

The 160 NOE brand rf gets a load of WC 820 surplus powder. It is generally spec'ed to use AA9 starting loads. Milder velocities have been reached with 800 and Herco. I have played some with MP-300 but am undecided on it's regular use in 357.

As you can see my data is for me only as different surplus powders are from different lots, and due to some estates, I still have a lot of old powders.

 

[geo57]

For .357 Mag :

Mid range practice / plinker - 158 gr. JSP or Plated, 7.5 grs. of BE-86 & SPP. Averages about 1035 FPS from a 4" barrel.

90 % full power for other needs - 158 gr. JHP, 13.5 grs. of 2400 & SPP. Average about 1150 FPS from a 4" barrel.

For .45 Colt :

Approx. circa 1873 ballistics - 250 gr. coated cast RNFP, 7.8 grs. of BE-86 & LPP. Averages about 850 FPS from a 7 1/2" barrel.

 

[rockquarry]

You probably have a bullet weight you prefer for target shooting.

Specifically for 357 Mag, why do you prefer that bullet weight?

Please specify weight and shape. Extra points for load data, powder, primer, and MV.

Thanks!

If you're serious about this, get several load manuals and study the data. Lots of opinions here on such a topic, but after more than fifty years of loading the .357 Magnum, I've found there is no advantage to any jacketed bullet over a well-fitted cast bullet of the proper alloy for the load. As for weight, I've found nothing better than the bullet weight the cartridge was designed for, app. 158-160 grains.

I prefer to use the original .357 Magnum bullet, the Hensley & Gibbs #51 SWC cast design, hardness in the 10-14 BHN range and sized through a .358" size die. I prefer #2400 powder with whatever primer I have handy, standard or magnum. Mine is a "do all" load rather than for one specific purpose. Plenty accurate for target shooting and I don't have to re-adjust sights. However, standard .38 Special loads using the same bullet but with less recoil will often shoot fairly close to the same point of aim as .357 loads.

Unless one gets incredible accuracy, there is little reason to use heavier or lighter bullets, though the lighter ones offer slightly reduced recoil. Do a lot of load development and group shooting (closer than twenty-five yards will tell you nothing worthwhile). Good luck-

 

[Mike SC Hunter]

Mine is my 168 gr cast pushed by 2400.

 

[Fishinfool]

I like a cast 158 gr SWC. Loaded with Red Dot or W231 to about 800 fps for target use. Same bullet over Unique at about 1000 fps for a field load. A 158 gr XTP over 2400 or W296 at about 1350 fps for a hunting load where I want some expansion.

For self defense against 2 legged threats, you can't do much better than Remington's conventional factory 125 grn SJHP magnum loads that come in boxes of 50 for not a premium price. They are hot, violent, and they work.

Larry

 

[old tanker]

In 357 I settled on the old Lyman 358429, 170 plain plain base semi-wadcutter. According to my notes, 13.5 grains of Hercules 2400 and CCI 550 primers. Measured with a first issue PACT chronograph in the fall of 1986:

6 inch Python:
Velocity: 1278.5 fps
ES: 78.6 fps
MAD:16.2 fps

6 inch S&W Model 19:
Velocity: 1300.7 fps
ES: 83.6 fps
MAD:19.1 fps

2-1/2 inch Model 19:
Velocity: 1110.3 fps
ES: 43.8 fps
MAD:16.6 fps

The H&G #51 160 grain LSWC and 4.5 grains of Unique became the standard load for .38 Special. Good for 824.1 fps from a 4 inch Model 10.

What fun it was back when I could get buckets of wheelweights from my local tire guy.

 

[raljr1]

I use either 158 gr SJHP or 158 GR LSWC in both 38 and 357, exclusively.

38 are mostly loaded with Unique, although I did a few batches with Titegroup. 357s are loaded with W231 or W296

 

[Dave Lively]

I quit reloading several years ago and my 686 is a range gun.

If I was using it for self defense it would be loaded with 125 grain SJHP ammo since that load was proven to among the best, if not the best, handgun round for stopping an opponent in a gun fight.

If I was carrying it while hiking for defense against wild animals it would be loaded with a hard cast 158 grain SWC for penetration. About the same effectiveness as a 10mm in that situation without any worries about reliability issues which sometimes happens when 10mm pistols are used with hot loaded boutique ammo.

What I actually shoot is about 95% 38 Special. When shooting at paper I prefer 148 grain lead wadcutter ammo because it is accurate and cuts a clean hole. That is what my sights are adjusted for. For shooting at steel plates and plinking I use whatever weight of FMJ or plated ammo from a major brand that is least expensive. Usually 125 or 132. Point of aim may be a little off but not enough to matter when shooting quickly at steel. While I have never had leading issues with the mild 148 WC ammo it can be an issue with inexpensive lead ammo so I avoid lead bullets for this use. The lube on lead bullets also contributes to fouling which can build up in front of 38 cases and eventually make it difficult to chamber magnums. I have never had an issue with chambering magnums in my gun after shooting a bunch of 38s but have heard enough reports of it happening to believe it can.