I am not a "professional" anything now days, just a retired old geezer. However, I was an engineer that understands what a thorough evaluation based on facts looks like.
And do not get me wrong. I like AA#7 for applications where the numbers work out.
The Op expressed interest in 357 loads with mid range pressures to protect a K frame, reduced cost and indicated he would accept mid range velocities. He later indicated he shops over the counter at Sportsman Warehouse.
With that last piece, I went ahead and looked up on-line prices at Sportsman Warehouse. In order to pull in a couple of more powders, I dropped the QL velocity to 1050 fps and ran a new table. I then combined the charge info with the price info. VV N340 price was assumed as I did not actually find that one.
Code:
Cost Cost
$/lb $/each
33.99 0.028 Accurate No.2
39.99 0.030 Alliant GREEN DOT
37.99 0.031 Hodgdon HP38
36.99 0.034 Ramshot Silhouette
35.99 0.035 Accurate No.5
36.99 0.037 Hodgdon Longshot
44.99 0.037 Alliant UNIQUE
37.99 0.039 Hodgdon HS-6
39.99 0.040 Ramshot True Blue
44.99 0.040 Alliant HERCO
52.99 0.041 Vihtavuori N320
52.99 0.045 Vihtavuori N340
35.99 0.047 Accurate No.7
49.99 0.048 Alliant POWER PISTOL
And the QL table for the above:
Code:
Cartridge : .357 Magnum (SAAMI)
Bullet : .358, 158, Hornady SWC 10408
Useable Case Capaci: 15.716 grain H2O = 1.020 cm³
Cartridge O.A.L. L6: 1.590 inch = 40.39 mm
Barrel Length : 5.7 inch = 144.8 mm
C A U T I O N : any load listed can result in a powder charge that falls below minimum suggested
loads or exceeds maximum suggested loads as presented in current handloading manuals. Understand
that all of the listed powders can be unsuitable for the given combination of cartridge, bullet
and gun. Actual load order can vary, depending upon lot-to-lot powder and component variations.
USE ONLY FOR COMPARISON !
Powder type Filling/Loading Ratio Charge Charge Vel. Prop.Burnt P max P muzz B_Time
% Grains Gramm fps % psi psi ms
--------------------------------- -----------------------------------------------------------------
Accurate No.2 59.7 5.7 0.37 1050 100.0 22189 4097 0.684
Alliant GREEN DOT 65.9 5.3 0.34 1050 100.0 26515 3559 0.653
Hodgdon HP38 47.2 5.7 0.37 1050 100.0 25195 3615 0.659
Ramshot Silhouette 51.0 6.4 0.42 1050 99.9 20729 4338 0.706
Accurate No.5 45.8 6.8 0.44 1050 94.1 19399 4850 0.723
Hodgdon Longshot 48.1 7.0 0.45 1050 97.8 19928 4636 0.719
Alliant UNIQUE 61.6 5.8 0.37 1050 100.0 20608 4313 0.719
Hodgdon HS-6 50.4 7.2 0.47 1050 96.3 19816 4706 0.720
Ramshot True Blue 47.5 7.0 0.45 1050 97.9 20133 4594 0.715
Alliant HERCO 68.8 6.3 0.41 1050 99.6 19864 4590 0.732
Vihtavuori N320 63.2 5.4 0.35 1050 100.0 26789 3492 0.652
Vihtavuori N340 62.4 6.0 0.39 1050 100.0 21737 4065 0.696
Accurate No.7 58.0 9.1 0.59 1050 80.0 17645 5436 0.759
Alliant POWER PISTOL 58.7 6.7 0.44 1050 90.2 18289 5166 0.743