Which Powder: Low recoil .357 load

WrongHanded · Dec 17, 2017

I've finally convinced my wife to start shooting double action revolvers. She's been shooting .38 Special out of a GP100, but I'd like to step that up to low end .357 (my dies are set for it, and that's the brass I have).

I'm look for powder recommendations for a clean burn on the low end of the pressure range. I'll be using a 158gr coated LSWC. Any thoughts?

2ndtimer · Dec 17, 2017

I like Titegroup, but Bullseye, Accurate No.2, HP-38, and a dozen other powders will probably work as well. If you want to step to mid range .357 loads, my favorite is Power Pistol, with Unique, Universal, and Accurate No. 5 close behind.

tcj · Dec 17, 2017

I use Bullseye for target (soft/light) loads and AA#5 for heavy loads in 357.

Dwb1957 · Dec 17, 2017

I use sport pistol or w-231 for low end loads power pistol or be-86 mid to heavy range loads.

dgod · Dec 17, 2017

Try TrailBoss, it is a great powder for reduced recoil applications, Pistol or Rifle.

Good Luck
dg

ray15 · Dec 17, 2017

Dwb1957 said:
I use sport pistol or w-231 for low end loads power pistol or be-86 mid to heavy range loads.

If you don't mind, what do your BE-86 loads look like? I've got a pound of it I intend to try in .357 mag and haven't been able to establish what real-gun velocities are possible.

Sunray · Dec 17, 2017

"...I'd like to step that up..." What does she think of what you want to do for her revolver? What you want really doesn't matter.
Best to just load .357 brass with .38 +P data. If that's what she wants. Any typical .375/.38 powder that gives the best accuracy will do.
Remember to clean the cylinders before shooting .357's after .38 Special. Just a brush out with a .45 cal brush. No big deal.

RealGun · Dec 17, 2017

WrongHanded said:
I've finally convinced my wife to start shooting double action revolvers. She's been shooting .38 Special out of a GP100, but I'd like to step that up to low end .357 (my dies are set for it, and that's the brass I have).

I'm look for powder recommendations for a clean burn on the low end of the pressure range. I'll be using a 158gr coated LSWC. Any thoughts?

I would use a 125 gr bullet, but there are others under 158. When you want less recoil and don't want to scare off the ladies, you need to try harder. Yesterday I shot my S&W 60-10 J-frame 357 with my light load of 4.6 gr Bullseye and 125 gr LTCFP. Anyone used to real 38 Special should not be the least bit intimidated by that load, especially in a GP100.

WrongHanded · Dec 17, 2017

Sunray said:
"...I'd like to step that up..." What does she think of what you want to do for her revolver? What you want really doesn't matter.
Best to just load .357 brass with .38 +P data. If that's what she wants. Any typical .375/.38 powder that gives the best accuracy will do.
Remember to clean the cylinders before shooting .357's after .38 Special. Just a brush out with a .45 cal brush. No big deal.

Wow! Where to begin?

I read her your post. She thinks it's pretty ridiculous. She doesn't know the difference between high end .38 +P and low end .357 mag. However, she DOES trust my judgement. So when I tell her it's easier for me to load the projectiles I have in the cases I have, where the dies are already set, she believes me. She also believes me when I tell her she can handle the load.

Now why you'd take a thread asking for a clean burning powder for low end .357 loads and make it about something that is very much none of your business, to advocate on behalf of the choices of someone you do not know, is beyond the both of us. And whilst I did mention my wife, and that the loading is for her, that was simply to give some context as to my reasoning for wanting such a powder recommendation.

She would also like me to add that so far all the advice and help I have given her with regards to shooting has be positively received, which is why she trusts me to make these decisions.

So do you have a particular powder suggestion for our needs, or do you not?

Thank you to everyone who has provided useful input. I, and my wife, appreciate it very much.

Walkalong · Dec 17, 2017

WST or Competition.

Both burn clean at low pressure and are less to much less position sensitive than most powders in that application. It is what I use for plated 158 SWCs in .357 brass for 700/750 ish FPS depending on the revolver. Very accurate for me. I shoot a lot of them.

158 Gr X-Treme SWC .357 Mag Light Load.JPG

No reason it wouldn't work with coated 158s as well, although I save those for full power .357 Mag using 2400.

Don't mind Sunray, sometimes he gets sidetracked.

AZAndy · Dec 17, 2017

I do a mild .357 load with 158 gn LSWC and 5.5 gn Unique. Haven't chronographed it yet, so I can't say how mild it is exactly, but it's a laid-back load.

Fine Figure of a Man · Dec 17, 2017

Unique is a good choice. Start at 4 grains and work up to what's comfortable and accurate.

kcofohio · Dec 17, 2017

I have used HP-38 and Titegroup quite a bit for light 357 loads with 158 gr. bullets. I could see WST being a tame load too!

Ironicaintit · Dec 17, 2017

I prefer bullseye for my cat sneeze loads, Unique (or herco) for 3/4 throttle, and H110 for the real zingers.

Don't jump my case about it, but;
I recommend you make some small batches, each being progressively more potent, and see how she likes them, before you go making a bunch of any one type.
And generally speaking, it seems that heavier projectiles develop less recoil. Just sayin.

My wife trusts my judgement, too, but she's finicky and her tastes will turn on a dime, and sometimes seem to straddle a very thin line.
It's been 25 years with her and I am still just making educated guesses

RealGun · Dec 17, 2017

My cowboy load for my .357 SASS rifle is 3.2 gr Trailboss with 158 gr LRNFP. I especially like TB because it is clean enough and especially since I can see the charge before placing a bullet for seating. My TB charge for my 38 Special revolvers is only slightly less with a 125 gr bullet..

RealGun · Dec 17, 2017

Ironicaintit said:
I prefer bullseye for my cat sneeze loads, Unique (or herco) for 3/4 throttle, and H110 for the real zingers.

Don't jump my case about it, but;
I recommend you make some small batches, each being progressively more potent, and see how she likes them, before you go making a bunch of any one type.
And generally speaking, it seems that heavier projectiles develop less recoil. Just sayin.

My wife trusts my judgement, too, but she's finicky and her tastes will turn on a dime, and sometimes seem to straddle a very thin line.
It's been 25 years with her and I am still just making educated guesses

Not my understanding or experience.. The inertia of a heavier bullet will be noticable.

Fine Figure of a Man · Dec 17, 2017

Ironicaintit said:
My wife trusts my judgement, too, but she's finicky and her tastes will turn on a dime, and sometimes seem to straddle a very thin line.
It's been 25 years with her and I am still just making educated guesses

That's the best any of us can do.

Bfh_auto · Dec 17, 2017

I used 700x but wouldn't recommend it to my worst enemy. It is extremely accurate, has low recoil, but MEASURES LIKE CRAP. I found universal under a cast 158 to be acceptable. Titegroup goes as far as 700x and is great in a volumetric.

bullseye308 · Dec 17, 2017

I run my ww cast 158swc over 5.0 grains of bullseye with a mild crimp out of a 6” GP-100 and have fired thousands of that exact load for years. Everyone that shoots it says how nice and pleasant it is. I don’t know the velocity, but it smacks things with authority.

WrongHanded · Dec 17, 2017

Alright, I'm going to try Bullseye, as it's a common powder in the load data I currently have for the various calibers we both shoot. And after that, I may try some WST, to see how it differs.

I may pick up some Unique too, just to see what that's like.

Ironicaintit · Dec 17, 2017

WrongHanded said:
I'm look for powder recommendations for a clean burn on the low end of the pressure range.

WrongHanded said:
I may pick up some Unique too, just to see what that's like.

Low pressure, clean, and Unique are not words usually used together.
I love the stuff, but it doesn't burn at its best until the ante is raised a bit.

Give it a shot and let us know what ya think. Every reloading bench should have the stuff.

WrongHanded · Dec 17, 2017

Ironicaintit said:
Low pressure, clean, and Unique are not words usually used together.
I love the stuff, but it doesn't burn at its best until the ante is raised a bit.

Give it a shot and let us know what ya think. Every reloading bench should have the stuff.

Well, that's what I thought I'd previously heard. But it was recommended twice, so I thought I might try it out.

Sledge357 · Dec 17, 2017

I know you said you already settled, but I’ll go ahead and throw in another vote for Titegroup. 5.3 gr under that 158 gr bullet and work up from there.

dbmjr1 · Dec 17, 2017

For a lighter load, you're going to want a powder that is not position sensitive.
I'd be looking at data for Bullseye and Tightgroup powders. I'm sure there are many others as well.

There are some powders you should avoid. WIN296 and H110 (same powder).
These powders used in light loads have been known to cause 'detonations'. (Not by me personally) Always follow 'Minimal' data as strictly as 'Maximum'.

WrongHanded · Dec 17, 2017

Sledge357 said:
I know you said you already settled, but I’ll go ahead and throw in another vote for Titegroup. 5.3 gr under that 158 gr bullet and work up from there.

I may just have to get a 1lb can of that too.

Which Powder: Low recoil .357 load

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