.357 reloading ideas

[700user]

Hi all, after recently purchasing a 357 lever I’m starting to think about reloading for it as factory hard to find and poor quality, preferably fast and suitable for vermin, and if it worked to a revolver that would be a bonus , any recommendations, tia

 

[Smellydog]

I use to a2400 in mine and h110.
I shot 158 gn jacketed mostly.

 

[Vince1968]

Hp38 3.5 grains GM 158 grain RNFP available from Henry Kranks

 

[safer]

Starline brass, 5.7 grains of Vihtavuori N340, 158 grain TC Silhouette.

 

[jthyttin]

If you want fast and suitable for vermin, I'd look at 125gr class and something like Hornady HP-XTP that seems to be available in UK.

Depending on shooting distance, heavier bullet might be more suitable. Or if you don't get accurate enough load with lighter ones.

 

[25 Sharps]

Hi all, after recently purchasing a 357 lever I’m starting to think about reloading for it as factory hard to find and poor quality, preferably fast and suitable for vermin, and if it worked to a revolver that would be a bonus , any recommendations, tia

Just be careful, most people publish pistol and rifle data and mid to top end data is too hot for pistols. For that reason only my vermin (110 gr sierra) load is loaded to rifle data, everything else is loaded to pistol data so I can swap between the lever action and the LBR.

 

[safer]

Starline brass, 5.7 grains of Vihtavuori N340, 158 grain TC Silhouette.

This load will give you average muzzle velocity of 1118 ft/s out if 24" barrel if you need it for ballistics calculators.

 

[Smellydog]

This load will give you average muzzle velocity of 1118 ft/s out if 24" barrel if you need it for ballistics calculators.

A rabbit load I call that

 

[700user]

If you want fast and suitable for vermin, I'd look at 125gr class and something like Hornady HP-XTP that seems to be available in UK.

Depending on shooting distance, heavier bullet might be more suitable. Or if you don't get accurate enough load with lighter ones.

What sort of speed would a 125gr be going

 

[webley701]

Hi all, after recently purchasing a 357 lever I’m starting to think about reloading for it as factory hard to find and poor quality, preferably fast and suitable for vermin, and if it worked to a revolver that would be a bonus , any recommendations, tia

There’s a such a massive amount of tested data available in reloading manuals for both rifle & pistol use of the .357 Mag that there’s no need to ask for advice on a forum.

 

[700user]

There’s a such a massive amount of tested data available in reloading manuals for both rifle & pistol use of the .357 Mag that there’s no need to ask for advice on a forum.

Thank you, excellent advice, what was I thinking, so sorry

 

[safer]

A rabbit load I call that

It is quite a tame load but I don't do more then 100 yards. You can get same grouping with 6.6 grain. You get 1258 ft/s

 

[Smellydog]

My rabbit loads used a reversed bullet for more effect.

I think about 5gn of herco but don't quote me.

 

[jthyttin]

What sort of speed would a 125gr be going

Without knowing the specifics, you should be able to get 2200fps.

 

[Muir]

A Lyman 358-156 bullet over 12.0 grains of Alliant 2400 powder, seated to lower crimp groove, loaded into a 38 Special case. This bullet has two crimping grooves, 1/10" apart so the bullet can be seated out for mid-range .357 loads in 38 special cases. I have been using this load for 44 years in .357s; both rifle and handgun. Most .357s shoot it better than either 357 or 38 loads. I purchased a 4 cavity mold and a hollow-point mold to go along with my single and double cavity molds. It is my #1 favorite load.~Muir

 

[Sampo]

Considered .38 Sp? 125 gr lead bullets work well for target and possibly vermin. Get a set of dies + mould and you can cast your own bullets to make up a consistent batch once you work out a load. Go for a powder that is readlity available or you have a decent stock of.

 

[25 Sharps]

What sort of speed would a 125gr be going

H110 will get it small deer legal with a 20” barrel.

 

[Bavarianbrit]

Melt the lead out of .358 diameter 180 grain spitzer soft point bullets then fill the cavity with fine lead shot top it off with some 2 component epoxy to keep the shot in, it makes a home bubbad Glaser safety slug. I did this in 1996 in Buenos Aires for my .357 Magnum Contenders 8 inch barrel, I estimated the velocity at 1,900 FPS they came out as a 95 grain bullet = down from the 180 grain spitzer originals the accuracy was good I assumed the shot centrifuges out from the centre of the bullet so it must be well balanced..