Favorite loads for .357?

[Jamie Jackson]

Especially 158 gr LSWC as I plan to start casting those. I'll initially use Lee Alox coating/lube, but may start powder coating them.

I'm shooting them in my old, yet in excellent condition, 686.

I also have some plated (thick plating according to the website) 158 semi-wadcutter profile. (ETA: Rocky Mountain Reloads or RMR).

I haven't yet had the opportunity to chronograph them, but I loaded some of these plated 158's with varying charges of AA#2 and Unique. Nice recoil impluse and more accurate than I am LOL.

I'm hoping for a load in the 1000 fps range as practice ammo.

Powders I have on hand:

Unique                      Titegroup

AA#2                         Greendot

AA#5                        American select

Bullseye                   HS-6

(ETA)    W 231     (ETA)    Red Dot

and more than likely something else... this is just off the top on my aging head.

Winchester small pistol and small pistol magnum primers.

 

Any suggestions or favorites you care to share?

Edited January 13, 2021 by Jamie Jackson
added W231 to list and Red Dot

[Hozzie]

I  don't remember my load as it has been a while, but I almost exclusively use AA#5 for 357 with LSWC.  I have a buddy that just loaded a bunch.  Let me see what he used.  He has loaded more 357 than I have ever thought about.

[Jamie Jackson]

Thank you @Hozzie.

I've actually never used the AA#5 before. I think I picked it up for loading .32 S&W Longs, but found a sweet load using Bullseye and stopped there. I'll check my manuals and the Accurate site for load suggestions.

I'm looking forward to what your friend has to say as well. 

[Grayfox54]

While not on your list, for many years my pet load in .357 with a 158gr LSWC  has been 6.0grs of W231. Its a nice mid-range load that clocks right at 1000 fps out of my guns. Its pleasant to shoot and extremely accurate. 

[Jamie Jackson]

I knew I'd forget one or two... Yes @Grayfox54, I do have a pound of W231. Thank you for the charge weight!

 

AA#2 and 231 are close on their burn rates. And very clean burning as well.

I'm loving the 6.3 grs AA#2 with those plated bullets.

I'll load some 6 grs of 231 to shoot and chrono as well. Much obliged.

[Quavodus]

I've never used any of the powders you listed. I've loaded a few thousand with Herco, H110, IMR4227, and 2400. Mostly .38 Special with Herco.

[Jamie Jackson]

Thanks @Quavodus.

I've used H110 and 2400 quite a bit. I've just let myself run out of those. Hence the reason I'm trying to figure out another load, using what I have on hand.

 

[Jamie Jackson]

Well, I looked in my component cabinet and found I also have some Red Dot as well as the W231.

Glad I looked LOL

 

[TrashcanDan]

I'm kinda partial to Bullseye, but knocked  out some 180's using 4227. Nice and stout.

[Hozzie]

On 1/12/2021 at 8:53 AM, Hozzie said:

I  don't remember my load as it has been a while, but I almost exclusively use AA#5 for 357 with LSWC.  I have a buddy that just loaded a bunch.  Let me see what he used.  He has loaded more 357 than I have ever thought about.

My buddy uses 8.0 grains Accurate #5 for his 158 LSWC loads.  

[Mowgli Terry]

I'd suggest  looking at Accurate #9 also. The Shooter's World Heavy Pistol is very similar. Also, Alliant Power Pistol has worked for me in 357 Magnum. Accurate #5 is worth a look. It's all in what you want in a load. Mid-range target is one thing and high end full loads is another for me.

[Quavodus]

RCBS has listed with 158 gr. cast and  HS6  7.5 gr. - 8.0 gr. 

231 4.9-5.4

Bullseye  4.3-4.8

Unique  6.5-7.0

I can't find anything for the other powders in .357 that you have.

 

[Jamie Jackson]

21 minutes ago, Mowgli-Terry said:

I'd suggest  looking at Accurate #9 also. The Shooter's World Heavy Pistol is very similar. Also, Alliant Power Pistol has worked for me in 357 Magnum. Accurate #5 is worth a look. It's all in what you want in a load. Mid-range target is one thing and high end full loads is another for me.

Thank you.

I got full house Mag loads in .357 and .44 out of my system some time back LOL

1000 fps rounds in a 158 gr bullet suits me just fine.

I'll be glad when powders are more readily available and will certainly add #9 to my wish list.

[Quavodus]

I just bought some American Select today.

[Jamie Jackson]

1 minute ago, Quavodus said:

I just bought some American Select today.

AmSel is one of my favorite 147 gr 9mm powders. As a matter of fact I filled my hopper with it today and loaded up some 147 gr Hi-Tek bullets from Hoosiers. I plan to give them a run tomorrow.

3.5 grains is what I had in my notes from previous loads, so I'm sticking with that.

 

I also loaded up some more .357's with AA#5 using the 8.0 gr load @Hozziementioned.

The best part about working up loads is shooting them

[Quavodus]

I'm gonna try to load some 9mm and .38 Special with the American Select in a few days.

[Jamie Jackson]

5 hours ago, Quavodus said:

I'm gonna try to load some 9mm and .38 Special with the American Select in a few days.

Please share your load data and impressions my friend.

 

3.4 to 3.5 gr under a 9mm 147 should run in the low 900's for fps according to my notes.

 

2.8 grs AmSel under a 158 gr lead (ours dropped at 160) is a soft shooting and accurate .38 spl round, but I haven't chronoed them yet. My little LCR loves!

[Jamie Jackson]

The 158 gr plated RMR bullets with 6.5 grs of AA#2 and 8.0 grs AA#5 worked out nicely.

I was able to keep them on paper (1/2 sheet printer paper) at 25 yards... it'd help if I could shoot a bit better LOL, but the rounds are nice!

Edited January 16, 2021 by Jamie Jackson

[Quavodus]

I've not been shooting much the last few months. That's sad. I'm gonna get out in a week or so and take care of that. And load some more ammo too. 

[Quavodus]

I shot and chronographed some .357 magnum today. 158 gr. cast FP, with 14.0 gr. H110 and Win. spm. 

Average velocity: 1240 fps.

Same bullet and 16.0 gr. H110

Average velocity : 1325 fps.

49 degrees

 

[Quavodus]

Also shot some 9mm handloads with 115 gr. JHP and 6.5 gr. Herco and Tula standard primer

Average velocity : 1073 fps.

115 gr. powder coated RN with 6.0 gr. Herco and Tula primer

Average 931 fps.

[Jamie Jackson]

Good job @Quavodus. Thanks for the data.

I'll be glad when I locate some H110. Good powder imho. I always had great luck with Tula primers as well and have shot a bunch of them.