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favorite 357 load

Posted: Fri Nov 05, 2021 9:38 pm
by Greyhawk
This has probably been covered in the past, but I am going to expand my hand loading into 357. What are your guy's favorite load?
At this time I have 2400, IMR 4227, Unique, Lil-gun, Universal. I would like to burn up the 4227.
And right now I have 125 grain hollow points. I can get other bullets... Might be tough to get other powder at this time though. A friend of mine who is getting out of hand loading gave me the bullets and 400 rounds of cleaned and primed cases.
Looking forward to your input! :D

Re: favorite 357 load

Posted: Fri Nov 05, 2021 10:04 pm
by fortyshooter
For mild plinking I like the 158 RNFP Missouri Bullet with 6.0 gr. Power Pistol but Unique would work well too. For some heavy smacking on steel targets
that 180 gr. MB "pug" bullet sure works well with 11.6 of Alliant 2400.

Re: favorite 357 load

Posted: Fri Nov 05, 2021 10:43 pm
by Vaquero
I've never loaded anything lighter than 158 grs. in the 357.
Like forty, I love those 180 gr Pugnose from MBC 11.4 grs. of the said 2400 works really well in the Rossi.

RP

Re: favorite 357 load

Posted: Fri Nov 05, 2021 10:54 pm
by runnin n gunnin
Well, you know I have to put my 2 cents in when you are talkin about Missouri Bullets.
180 grain 357.jpg
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10.2 grains of 2400 with 180 gran MB Stikers

Re: favorite 357 load

Posted: Fri Nov 05, 2021 11:00 pm
by Vaquero
Some good shootin RnG. 👍

RP

Re: favorite 357 load

Posted: Fri Nov 05, 2021 11:16 pm
by runnin n gunnin
amazing what you can do with both eyes closed !

Re: favorite 357 load

Posted: Sat Nov 06, 2021 1:15 am
by Kissmybrass
Hornady XTP 158s and Hodgdon HS-6 (9 grs.) have been a fantastic combination for me. Starline and Federal brass. CCI/Federal small pistol mag primers.
Most accurate round I've used in my Big Boy brassie.

Re: favorite 357 load

Posted: Sat Nov 06, 2021 12:14 pm
by Oldbrass
158 sierra soft point over W296 with any brand Magnum SP primers has been great in the Henry as well as the Ruger GP100

Re: favorite 357 load

Posted: Sat Nov 06, 2021 2:26 pm
by Shakey Jake
15.3 gr of H110 or W296 and a Nosler 158 gr bullet.
Jake

Re: favorite 357 load

Posted: Sat Nov 06, 2021 6:03 pm
by Steve51
I only use one load in my .357 rifle - a 158 gr Hornady XPT JHP over 14.5 grains of 2400 (14.2 grains of AA9 if 2400 is unavailable).
For my handguns, I use mid-range or .38 spl loads with cast lead bullets.

Re: favorite 357 load

Posted: Sat Nov 06, 2021 7:54 pm
by BigAl52
14.5 to 15 grains of 2400 and a Hornady 158 gr xtp bullet. That load has worked in more than one rifle I have tried it in. There is numerous plinking loads you can try. HS-6 has also worked good for me along with 6 grains of Unique

Re: favorite 357 load

Posted: Sat Nov 06, 2021 8:17 pm
by Vaquero
BigAl52 wrote:
Sat Nov 06, 2021 7:54 pm
14.5 to 15 grains of 2400 and a Hornady 158 gr xtp bullet. That load has worked in more than one rifle I have tried it in. There is numerous plinking loads you can try. HS-6 has also worked good for me along with 6 grains of Unique
I don't shoot a lot of jacketed stuff in the pistol calibers, but if I stumbled across a box of those reasonable I'll pick 'em up and give 'em an ole try in the long barreled Rossi.
I'll right it down on my list of stuff to try. :o :lol: :)

RP

Re: favorite 357 load

Posted: Sat Nov 06, 2021 10:20 pm
by Spokane55
Have had good luck for a hunting load with Alliant 300-MP. Worked up to Alliant published load of 18.6 gr.. Used the Hornady 158 Gr. XTP Flat Point. Chrono had it at 1900 fps and a 5 shot group just under 1" at 50 yards. That was resting with a scope.

Re: favorite 357 load

Posted: Sat Nov 06, 2021 10:36 pm
by JVogler
fortyshooter wrote:
Fri Nov 05, 2021 10:04 pm
For mild plinking I like the 158 RNFP Missouri Bullet with 6.0 gr. Power Pistol but Unique would work well too. For some heavy smacking on steel targets
that 180 gr. MB "pug" bullet sure works well with 11.6 of Alliant 2400.
Fortyshooter I have Unique powder and 158 RNFP Missouri bullet, how much powder do you use

Re: favorite 357 load

Posted: Sun Nov 07, 2021 1:14 am
by gpraceman
Just started loading for my BB 357/38. Only load so far is 158gr RNFP coated Kimberlin Creek bullets with 3.7gr of HP-38. A very low recoil round.

Re: favorite 357 load

Posted: Sun Nov 07, 2021 9:41 am
by Hatchdog
I’ll chime in here even tho I don’t have any info for you on the powders you have on hand.

I have had great success with the Hornady 158 XTP and Win 296. My best group was on the low end of the range of charges I tested so it might be on the light side for hunting. Don’t recall the velocity but can look it up if you’re interested. Didn’t shoot over a chrono so no personal data. Here’s my test target and a close up of the best group. Also is a follow on trip to the range and as you can see the results were the same. Haven’t tried it out in a revolver yet but I bet it will be a nice soft shooting load for one.

All fired at 50 yards from a bench with a 7x scope.


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Re: favorite 357 load

Posted: Sun Nov 07, 2021 9:48 am
by BigAl52
Nice shooting Hatch what range is that shot at

Re: favorite 357 load

Posted: Sun Nov 07, 2021 10:43 am
by Hatchdog
BigAl52 wrote:
Sun Nov 07, 2021 9:48 am
Nice shooting Hatch what range is that shot at
Thanks Al, went back and entered the info but it’s 50 yards, scoped and off a bench. Why yes, I take every advantage I can. :lol:

Re: favorite 357 load

Posted: Thu Dec 02, 2021 7:50 pm
by The Happy Kaboomer
My cast 168 gr SWC pushed by 14 grs of #2400. I killed deer with this load using a handgun.

Re: favorite 357 load

Posted: Fri Dec 03, 2021 9:38 am
by Rifletom
Late to the party again, but, 158 coated rnfp and 6.0gr Universal is very accurate and mild in my Henry and Blackhawk.
11.5gr 2400 and those 180 coated rnfp are hard hitters from my Henry. Both bullets are Missouri.