I reloaded a couple hundred .357 magnum rounds. From 4.5gr to 5.6gr of titegroup with a 158gr tmj wadcutter bullet and tested them at the range. I thought the 4.5gr rounds would be super soft shooting yet they were still stout. I'm thinking of loading some at maybe 3.2gr? I would like to stick to 357 casings. Anyone have any experience or opinions? Thanks!
357 magnum with titegroup loads
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saskgunowner101
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
- Location
- middle of Sask
Check the Hodgdon reloading website. You'd basically be watering your loads down to bottom end/ mid 38 Special power loads. Which is perfectly fine, if that's what you're looking to accomplish. But if you think 4.5 grains of Titegroup is stout, you better not tinker with H-110 or any of the slower make moar power powders.
herpinator45
Regular
- Location
- Southern Ontario - Just off 401
Confirm with other sources but look at 38 special load data and then add 10% to minimum for difference in case capacity.
If that bullet is a full wadcutter, and not a swc, and you are seating the bullet flush with the top of the case, you will be reducing the case capacity considerably, and increasing pressure, so that what would be a milder load with a semi wadcutter, becomes quite a bit stouter load with the full wadcutter loaded flush
tjsudbury is correct. The TMJ bullet is a full wadcutter, which will take up more of the case's interior space, resulting in higher pressure. You could likely use a low to mid-range .38 Special load...lets say: 3.2 to 3.5 grains of Titegroup as your starting point. Then work up a tenth of a grain at a time, until you reach your desired load. I suspect that you'll top out at 4 grains. or less. If these are plated bullets, you'll want to use lead bullet load data, anyway.
I've used .38 special data at starting loads in .357 brass; no bumping up to compensate for the larger case. No issues and quite accurate. I've had bullets lodged in barrels before (.44 mag Marlin 1894) but these all went off well and had no noticeably drop compared to light .357 loads at 25yds.
That range of charge will deliver you right into the low end of .38Spl territory. The 3.2 in particular will be a soft shooting load.
Keep in mind that if you're shooting with a fixed sight revolver that the guns expect a specific bullet weight being shot at the proper speed to impact on the point of aim. Going with a lighter charge at handgun distances will likely result in hitting higher than the point of aim. ESPECIALLY if the sights are set up to be accurate with a proper .357Mag load.
