Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Handguns 357 loads

I haven't handloaded the 357 in years. Just wondering what you'd use with 158 gr Sierra JHP bullets.
On hand I have 2400, AA9, and Unique.

I have had success with both 2400 and Unique.

I usually use 2400 for the hotter self defense loads.

What Frontier said..

About 13 gr of 2400. Not max ,but will get your attention. Plinking loads about 4.5 gr of Unique, W231, Universal Clay, s or the like

I think I'm around 14.5gr of 2400 behind a 158gr bullet.

I'm not that tough.

Around 14.5 grains of 2400 is a good load. A friend I used to shoot with loaded 17.0 grains of 2400 and shot it quite well. That was a few years back, before the data was revised down.

Depends on the gun.

My long term standard 158 grain load is 17.5 grains of Win 296, WW brass, and Federal 205 primers. This has been used in a couple GP100s, Blackhawk, S&W N-frame, Contender, and a Marlin lever action. It was a book load when I worked up to it back in the '80s. It worked so I've kept using it.

I don't like 158s in my J frame and I absolutely keep this load away from it. I'd be very leery of it in a K frame as well.

Tom

12-13gr current 2400 Hornady 158 XTP in my Henry .357. 11.5gr 2400 with 158gr plated in same rifle. These work quite well.
Note: Those .357 lever guns are a lot of fun. Zero recoil and accurate.

Duplicating 10mm loads with my Freedom Arms 97, .357, I'm shooting 170 Gold Dot's over Long shot powder.

I needed a taller front sight, FA knew exactly what I needed. Retrofit was easy with an Allen wrench.

DF

18gr of lit,gun an 158gr Hornady xtp works well in a Blackhawk / s&w n frame/ 10inc contender /1894marlin that I have and shot a lot of hogs and a few deer with them

Handguns get 296 for heavy magnum loads.
Unique or Universal for lighter, or semis.

If I was sitting on 2400, 8 would use that.

8 grs of 2400? I think I could out run that load............

Dick

Will be used to feed a Security Six 4". (I forgot I have some Lilgun)

all of those powders will work. surprised no love for accurate no 9. one thing about accurate is how well it metors.
i most always use hand cast lead. the 170 grain keith style bullet is a slammer.

14.5 - 15 gr of 2400 with 158 gr bullets. No need for magnum primer, as it lights very well with standard small pistol primer. Roll crimp. No not load down with 2400, it likes full throttle loads.

starline case. 16 grains h110 federal mag primer 158 xtp'

What is your goal for the load? Hunting? Practice? Plinking?

For general practice and plinking in my Security Six and Uberti's I load 5.5 grs. of Unique and a cast 158 gr. SWC. Velocity is a little over 1000 fps and accuracy is 4" - 5" @ 75 yds.



I personally see no need in shooting expensive jacketed bullets in revolver calibers when commercial cast bullets cost about 1/2 of what a jacketed bullet does.

If you're wanting to hunt with the load, I used to load that exact bullet (before I took up casting) over 15.0 grs. of 2400. That's a fairly spicy load, but the Security Six's are tough revolvers.

I can get ~ 1000 fps from my 38's. Not looking for max loads, but fairly warm loads.
Ya never know what might need killin' !

LiL Gun gives top velocities with notably lower pressure in some cartridges. .357 is one of them. I use it for jacketed 158s, 2400 for cast (because I have a bunch). Never used AA 9, but I seem to recall that it's supposed to have reduced flash. 300 MP is supposed to be a real good one too.

Magnum primers for LiL Gun, standards for 2400 (though there's still data listing mags, pressure tests say regular). Don't know about the other two.