Favorite powder for lead bullets .357

[jgressley2003]

I'm going to use 158 gr lead bullets and was thinking Unique or possibly Accurate No 5. What are you guys using for plinking rounds?

 

[bulletsmith]

My powder is Winchester 296

 

[sloughfoot]

14.2 grains of Win 296. Great for any purpose behind the 158 bullet.

 

[snuffy33]

Unique for lead

 

[BehindBlueI's]

I use Accurate #7 for semi-wadcutters. Accurate #5 works fine, too, but is a bit dirtier. I suspect a tighter crimp on #5 might get a cleaner burn for me, but haven't tried it yet.

 

[Sniper 79]

Unique, 2400, 4227

 

[pdg45acp]

Unique

 

[oldpink]

Unless that lead bullet is hard cast or has a gas check, W296/H110 is a very poor choice, unless you like leading the daylights out of your revolver; and that's even before you get to point that the OP was talking about a plinking round.
Both Unique and AA#5 would be excellent for the purpose mentioned with that particular projectile, at least as long as the charge is moderate and keeps the bullets down below the 1000 feet per second level.
There are other powders in the fast to medium burn rate that would be suitable, but the two that you already have should work just fine.

 

[parson]

I like Win. 231 for light to medium loads.

 

[Leadeye]

Unique

 

[ru44mag]

So how many grains of Unique are you guys using in .357 and 158 grain SWC? I am currently loading 4.5 grains in the 38 specials, using 158 grain SWC from Dardas. I was planning to use H110 for the magnums, but if Unique would be better....not sure what to do with the H110. Also, I just loaded 44 specials with Unique, but planned to use H110 for the magnums there too.

 

[ru44mag]

Well I had thought about getting some Hornady XTP bullets. The H110 what be ok there, right?

 

[bulletsmith]

Unless that lead bullet is hard cast or has a gas check, W296/H110 is a very poor choice, unless you like leading the daylights out of your revolver; and that's even before you get to point that the OP was talking about a plinking round.
Both Unique and AA#5 would be excellent for the purpose mentioned with that particular projectile, at least as long as the charge is moderate and keeps the bullets down below the 1000 feet per second level.
There are other powders in the fast to medium burn rate that would be suitable, but the two that you already have should work just fine.

Everybody has their own opinions. This has not been my experience though. Been shooting 296 for quite a few years without excessive leading. I suppose that you can over do just about anything though.

 

[SSGSAD]

So how many grains of Unique are you guys using in .357 and 158 grain SWC? I am currently loading 4.5 grains in the 38 specials, using 158 grain SWC from Dardas. I was planning to use H110 for the magnums, but if Unique would be better....not sure what to do with the H110. Also, I just loaded 44 specials with Unique, but planned to use H110 for the magnums there too.

I use 6.4 Unique ..... nice med load .....

 

[SSGSAD]

Well I had thought about getting some Hornady XTP bullets. The H110 what be ok there, right?

Jacketed bullets, max load, gtg ..... READ your manual, h110, and 296, cannot be reduced ..... follow manual EXACTLY .....

EXAMPLE ..... Speer #10, yes it is old, but so am I .....

Pg., 363 ..... 158 gr. jacketed ..... H110 ..... 15.8 - 17.8 NOT much "wiggle room" .....

296 ..... same bullet ..... 15.8 - 17.8 .....

BOTH, "REQUIRE" Magnum primers .....

Be CAREFUL .....

 

[ru44mag]

Jacketed bullets, max load, gtg ..... READ your manual, h110, and 296, cannot be reduced ..... follow manual EXACTLY .....

EXAMPLE ..... Speer #10, yes it is old, but so am I .....

Pg., 363 ..... 158 gr. jacketed ..... H110 ..... 15.8 - 17.8 NOT much "wiggle room" .....



296 ..... same bullet ..... 15.8 - 17.8 .....

BOTH, "REQUIRE" Magnum primers .....

Be CAREFUL .....

Thanks. Following the manuals closely. Remembering now why I wanted the H110 over the Unique for the magnums/hunting. The Unique gets really whimpy as far as velocity goes in magnum size charges.

 

[SSGSAD]

Thanks. Following the manuals closely. Remembering now why I wanted the H110 over the Unique for the magnums/hunting. The Unique gets really whimpy as far as velocity goes in magnum size charges.

8.2 gr., of Unique, gets you 1198 fps .....

15.8 H110, gets you 1263 .....

7 gr., MORE, for less than 100 fps .....

When I started loading this is why I chose Unique, less powder, same fps .....

but that is just me .....

 

[ru44mag]

I use 6.4 Unique ..... nice med load .....

6.5 is what I loaded in the 44 specials last night. I thought about 8 grains, because all 4 firearms I have are magnums anyways, but thought I should stick to the manual.

 

[SSGSAD]

6.5 is what I loaded in the 44 specials last night. I thought about 8 grains, because all 4 firearms I have are magnums anyways, but thought I should stick to the manual.

You, can "overload" a spl case, but NOT max .....

less space in the case, MORE pressure .....

and MARK your cases, so you won't load in a spl, gun .....

 

[ru44mag]

8.2 gr., of Unique, gets you 1198 fps .....

15.8 H110, gets you 1263 .....

7 gr., MORE, for less than 100 fps .....



When I started loading this is why I chose Unique, less powder, same fps .....

but that is just me .....

My manual shows 158 grain jacketed hollow point with 17.0 grains H110 going 1829 fps
and 155 grain lead 15.0 going 1767 fps