Going .357 Mag powder and loads

[cycbb486]

So being new to the 357 what is the going powder today?

I want 2 loads a lighter target load for paper and a heavy load that makes the 357 Mag what it is a Magnum. When the plates are hit they know they have been hit or if I decide to take it hunting states side the game knows it has been hit.

Thanks in advance.

CYCBB486

 

[prosper]

H110/W296. Other good choices include lilgun, H4227 and 2400.

 

[Seagull]

Full bang is H110 and 2400 (like this one better)
Lite bang is any 44 spl load. I use hp-38 as I have lots on hand. It is a bit dirty at lower loads thou.

 

[H4831]

Yes, I think the best "new load" is the load the 357 magnum was developed with, 2400 powder. Some will say that 2400 powder may not be the same, because it is now a different company making it. I don't think there is any appreciable difference.
The other full banger, like you've been told, is W296 or H110.
For your pip squeak loads, a few grains of any fast burning powder works. a couple peferred ones are W231 and Unique, one of the oldest powders in existance.
Check with a loading book and be extremely carefull not to get a double charge, or load so light that a bullet stickw in the barrel.

 

[Boomer686]

I use H110 / Win296 for my full power loads.
For light loads I use 700x.. very mangeable recoil. I use 700x simply because I have lots of it for my shotgun reloading.

 

[Buck45]

Yes, I think the best "new load" is the load the 357 magnum was developed with, 2400 powder. Some will say that 2400 powder may not be the same, because it is now a different company making it. I don't think there is any appreciable difference.
The other full banger, like you've been told, is W296 or H110.
For your pip squeak loads, a few grains of any fast burning powder works. a couple peferred ones are W231 and Unique, one of the oldest powders in existance.
Check with a loading book and be extremely carefull not to get a double charge, or load so light that a bullet stickw in the barrel.

Can't add much to the above..all good sage advice ...maybe TITEGROUP or TRAILBOSS. You won't double charge with Trailboss.

 

[c-fbmi]

Yep, that's all I've ever used in 357-41-44 mag and 454 is Unique and 296/H110.
Keeps it simple and covers all bases.

 

[easyrider604]

Titegroup for light loads (38 spl +P), 2400 for full 357 magnum velocities.

Next batch of full load 357s will be LilGun.

 

[cycbb486]

Thanks guys for the info. That will get me started. Now to find some brass and bullets.

CBY

 

[sask farmboy]

just make sure you do not use winchester 296 for light loads, it is for magnum loads only. do some reading on it

 

[cycbb486]

Thanks Sask farm boy. I heard that today about 296 and H110.

I was advised a GREAT light target load is 3gr of Bullseye under a 158gr SWC using 38 SPL.

I think for the big Magnum loads it will be Lil Gun under a 158GR XTP. Pressure is a lot lower from Lil Gun.

 

[caramel]

My peak velocity load with 158 gr is with Lit'lgun... JP.