.357 Mag recipes

[HDSilvrStreak]

Looking for some thoughts on loading .357

The only powder I currently have on hand is Titegroup. Judging by the lack of data for it, I'm assuming it's not the ideal powder for .357.

So let's have your ideas on what works best.

 

[Six Shooter Steve]

Titegroup works good for plinking rounds for 357. I use it for 38 and 357 plinking rounds, but nothing hot.

 

[HDSilvrStreak]

I should have specified. I'm using Berry's plated, 158gr, round nose bullets.

Only using these for plinking at the range. Nothing special.

 

[Cat-Herder]

Beware of internet load recipes. Having said that, here's a pretty informative link:

Reloading .357 Magnum Page

 

[Six Shooter Steve]

Should be able to cook up a recipe for those using titegroup. I use 158 gr SWC lead bullets with titegroup. Look on hogdons website for data for LRN bullets and start there. Being plated you should be able to push them a bit faster than lead.

 

[HDSilvrStreak]

The Hodgdon page actually is one of the places I did look. It lists two formulas for 158gr bullets:

1 - 158gr CAST LSWC 4.5 - 5.0 gr of Titegroup
1 - 158gr HDY XTP 5.4 - 6.1 gr of Titegroup

That seems like a really large range, especially with the second one starting at 0.4gr higher than the max load of the other. Had me wondering what others would use.

 

[rimfire_crazed]

The XTP recipe starts at .4 higher because cast lead bullets can't handle the same velocities that jacketed bullets can handle.

I've never driven plated bullets much faster than max velocity for a comparable lead bullet. Jacketed? Let 'em rip.

 

[Six Shooter Steve]

I run 4.5gr titegroup over a dardas 158gr SWC lead bullet and it's a nice light accurate target load. You should be able to start with 4.5gr and work your way up. Would really want to go over 5grs but I've never shot berrys before so I don't know how fast you can push them.

 

[HDSilvrStreak]

Berry's FAQ page states "When loading plated bullets, we have found best results using low to mid range jacketed data in the load manual."

Given that, I was planning to start at 5.5gr of Titegroup over the 158gr plated bullet. I just wanted to get some confirmation.

 

[Six Shooter Steve]

I would start at the lowest jacketed data then work my way up. Just load up 5 or 10 of them, you can always up the powder.

 

[ghitch75]

i don't shoot any lite loads from my 357 mag's......i have 38's to shoot 38 light loads out of....

16.5gr's 296 under 158 JHP @ a little over 1300fps..from a 6"...nice fireball too