Modern Reloading, 2nd edition vs. Hornady 9th Edition Charges

The Cold Lake Kid

The Cold Lake Kid

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After buying a .357 mag. Lightning rifle, I'm just getting back into reloading for .357
After consulting my Modern Reloading #2 and comparing the charges listed, for 158 gr lead, with Hornady's 9Th edition, I see quite a difference in recommended starting and maximum charges.
For example: UNIQUE: Modern Reloading starts at 6.2gr and maxs out at 6.8 while Hornady stats at 3.3 gr and maxs out at 5.0 gr, which is below the starting charge discussed in Modern Reloading.
There are a number of other examples in the 158 grain lead bullet section of the books, making me a bit concerned/confused.
Anyone have thoughts on this?
 
It looks like you are looking at the 357 Magnum Handgun loads. Shouldn't you be loading 357 Magnum Rifle loads if you are loading for a rifle?

I don't mean to be rude in asking that -- I genuinely don't know if you should use handgun loads in a rifle or not, or if you get better performance from a hangun round in a rifle by using the rifle load.

Looking at my copy of the Lee 2nd Edition printed in 2014, I don't see the Lee load that you mention.

Page 452 shows 357 Magnum Rifle loads for 158 gr lead bullets. There is no entry for Unique powder.

Page 528 shows 357 Magnun Handgun loads for 158 gr lead bullet with Unique ranging from 5.3 gr to 6.0 gr.

Looking at my Hornady 9th Edition, the load you mention is the 357 Magnum Handgun load.

Page 570 shows 357 Magnum Rifle loads for 158 gr lead bullets with Unique ranging from 3.7 gr to 5.3 gr.

Page 791 shows 357 Magnum Handgun loads for 158 gr lead bullets with Unique ranging from 3.3 gr to 5.0 gr.

I checked my Lyman Cast Bullet Handbook and its entries for 357 Magnum Rifle and 357 Magnum Handgun with 158 gr lead bullets are the same. Each section has different notes on which load worked best in their test rifle and test handgun, but the loads are the same for both rifle and handgun. The handbook does not have an entry for Unique.

I've noticed discrepencies between different manuals for some of the things I load, too. When I encounter those, I usually go with the lightest load and start working from there.
 
Are you going to shoot lead bullets? Because if yes, the issue wont be max pressure, it will be leading, and then you will have to work with lube, alloys and gas checks for faster shots.

Lead loads are listed lighter just because usually for lead, people go with the lightest load that works and does not lead. The point is to get a light load that is accurate and does not lead, for cheaper target practice.
 
:redface:
MDF; thanks for pointing out the two sections for .357 Hornady is a new book for me and I didn't realize there were two different listings for .357:redface:
I found the Lightning seems to like a hefty charge for accuaracy.
 
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The Cold Lake Kid said:
:redface:
MDF; thanks for pointing out the two sections for .357 Hornady is a new book for me and I didn't realize there were two different listings for .357:redface:
I found the Lightning seems to like a hefty charge for accuaracy.
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No problem! Hope it helps.

All of the manuals I have -- Lee 2nd Ed, Lyman 49th Ed, Hornady 9th Ed, Lyman Cast Bullet -- have separate sections for rifle and handgun loads.

I am sometimes surprised to see what's listed under handgun loads. While I can see 223 Rem in a pistol, I'm sure that I want to shoot 45-70 out of a handgun. I know people do it, but I don't think that I want to do it :)
 
You can use the same loadings, whether it is for revolver or rifle.
Only difference is the rifle will go about 250, up to possibly 300 fps faster than the revolver.
Also, you can use the same loadings for either jacketed or cast bullets.
 
MDF said:
Is that true in every case? Or is that only true for 357 Magnum?
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It's true for the two magnum calibres, 357 and 44 magnum, and under normal conditions, probably true for most others.
One cartridge to be aware of is the 455 Webley, sometimes known by other designations. There are two distinct factory loadings on the market and probably loading information on each, with a variation in bullet speed between the two loadings, of at least 150 fps. The high loadings could be too much for some old guns out there, whether jacketed or cast.
So always be sure of what you're doing.
 
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