Your Favorite Magnum Load?

[M29since14]

I have Model 19s, and I don't want to keep two .357 loads sitting around - one for the 19s and another for my heavier-duty revolvers. My preference is 13 grains of 2400 with the 358156 bullet (165 grains), and has been for so long I forget who told me about it and when. Standard primers and a good, firm crimp. It's more accurate in every 357 I've ever shot than I can hold, it's plenty powerful for my uses, and it's not vicious in a Model 19, like a full-charge of H110 or W296. IMO.

From time to time I've used the same charge with a couple of other .357 cast bullets when they were what I had on hand, but the 358156 is the one I can count on for accuracy.

 

[white cloud]

The .357 makes a lot of sense to me. Works well in carbines and revolver. Capable of fine accuracy, economical of powder and shot, easy to reload and no detachable magazines either. Neither revolvers or lever guns throw their brass far. I have guns in other loadings but the .357s will be the last to go.

I have three loads that I like.

158 grain XTP hollow point over 16.7 grains of H110. Remington cases and a magnum primer. I have chronographed this load at 1750 FPS out of my Marlin rifle. This load out of a carbine has worked well on a number of deer. I have never recovered a bullet as they all passed through. This load is very accurate in the Marlin. It wears a red dot and I have old eyes but have still seen 1.5" groups at 100. I am a decent shot but no Joe Benner. Go figure.

158 grain RCBS semi wadcutter gas check over 15.9 grains of H110. This shoots to the same point of aim as the above load in the Marlin. Accuracy is about the same also. I am most definitely NOT a master bullet caster and I have 68 year old eyes.

Finally I shoot a 148 grain HBWC over 3.0 grains of 700X. I use this mainly for revolver practice but the Marlin feeds it with total reliability. The problem with this load in the Marlin is it shoots low and to the left.

As you can probably guess, the Marlin is a keeper.

What I am going to do now that deer season is over is develop a load that duplicates the 125 grain 357 Golden Saber. Not sure why I have not gotten to this before as the Golden Sabre shoot great in all my revolvers.

 

[rockquarry]

I no longer load any magnum handgun cartridges, but did load them with cast bullets for forty years or so. My favorite .357 magnum load was a mild magnum load, but accurate and not hard on the shooter. I used the Hensley & Gibbs #51 design, about 160 grs. in wheelweight alloy sized in a .358" die. I loaded 12 grs. #2400 and either a CCI 500 or CCI 550 magnum primer. The magnum primer made the load slightly more accurate but the standard primer is fine. Muzzle velocity from a 6" Python was about 1100 fps. 14 grs. 296/ H110 will give about the same muzzle velocity and good accuracy, but has that offensive fireball and blast that's much reduced when using #2400.

 

[mtgianni]

NOE 160 WFN cast from ww + 2% tin and 12.5 gr WC 820.

 

[pantannojack]

I broke a 586 no dash hammer bushing and recoil shield firing published reload data. S&W replaced the frame and reassembled using all my old parts. I don't go hot with anything anymore. I recently came across a nice 66 BB 3" with a set back nose bushing but I passed it up for above reasons.

 

[ironhead7544]

I use IMR4227 powder with a 125 gr JHP. Very accurate in a number of revolvers. Work up to the best groups.

Had a 6 inch M19 with a scope that would group at nicely 100 yards. That was for deer. Used H110 with a 180 Hornady JHP.