.357 Mag rifle loading

[kalielkslayer]

Just a precursor, I’m new here.

have reloaded shotgun for 40 years, rifle for 30 years. But pistol never made sense to me because factory was so cheap. Things changed last April so I started stockpiling components. Basically I’m a newbie.

I bought a Dillion 550 and have run about 500 .380 and 1,000 9mm through it so I think I have worked out the kinks.

Now I want to start on .357, primarily for my Marlin 1884.

I have 140 grain, Hornady FTX bullets. The powders I have on hand are Accurate #7 and VihtaVuori 3N37.

I have several manuals, including the Hornady manual the shows the 140 grain FTX.

But I wanted some input since this load is for a rifle instead of a handgun.

The rifle has a 16” barrel.

I welcome all input.

 

[kalielkslayer]

Just as a note, I also have 2 lbs of N110

 

[bersaguy]

Sounds like you have what you need, I too will be working up my first loads for 357 here soon. I have 125g FTX, 158g cast lead and may use 130g cast as well. I'm planning on using H110 or Unique. The load data is the same whether its being fired in a handgun or rifle as were concerned with peak pressure when developing a safe load. Keeping in mind, you'll get more velocity from slower burning powders in 16" barrel. But the process of load development is the same, start low and work your way up.

 

[call1911]

You will have very much fun with N110 reloads in your rifle.
Not much fun in my 4" wheelgun, even with rubber grips.
But great in a rifle.

 

[GeoDudeFlorida]

Just as a note, I also have 2 lbs of N110

Welcome aboard. The 110’s will give you better velocities from a carbine barrel. Sierra lists data for SSP in.357 magnum- which should be very close to the barrel length and action strength of your Marlin. Be careful with the COAL. You don’t want to bind a live round in the lifter assembly. Make a couple of action-proving dummies to test feed-n-function before you settle on a powder load

 

[kcofohio]

I'm curious what advantage FTX may have over the XTP, in a rifle. Expansion? Accuracy?

Hornady suggest trimming down the case to OAL of 1.250" for the FTX, IIRC. It seems that with a lower case capacity, the velocity is reduced

 

[Random 8]

I'm curious what advantage FTX may have over the XTP, in a rifle. Expansion? Accuracy?

Hornady suggest trimming down the case to OAL of 1.250" for the FTX, IIRC. It seems that with a lower case capacity, the velocity is reduced

I believe the FTX is longer and the deeper seating is in deference to keeping the COL and cannelure in the right place for revolvers. You may be able to use full length brass in the rifle, depending on dimensions of the feed system and throat. The slight advantage of the FTX is in a higher ballistic coefficient vs traditional flat point lever action bullets. This advantage is probably minimal in a cartridge like. 357.

 

[kcofohio]

I believe the FTX is longer and the deeper seating is in deference to keeping the COL and cannelure in the right place for revolvers. You may be able to use full length brass in the rifle, depending on dimensions of the feed system and throat. The slight advantage of the FTX is in a higher ballistic coefficient vs traditional flat point lever action bullets. This advantage is probably minimal in a cartridge like. 357.

That makes me more curious now.

So the load data from Hornady is geared toward the lever action. I have a 77/357 bolt action. I may be able to load longer, depending on the magazine and chamber.

It may be a while before I would be able to buy those bullets. I have plenty of 140 gr. XTPs that I use for handgun. But I would like to compare what can work and how well.

 

[AJC1]

The oal testing mentioned is very important. The faster you work the action the more important it becomes. If your shooting cowboy action and jacking rounds as fast as possible oal will be your primary consern. The second is a good heavy roll crimp. The ballance between maximum crimp and case/bullet deformation is the next biggie. This also helps with complete burn in mag powders like h110 and imr4227. The crimp problem may drive you to uniformity trimming. Ftx bullets require trimming, and the brass is short for all other loads...

 

[GeoDudeFlorida]

That makes me more curious now.

So the load data from Hornady is geared toward the lever action. I have a 77/357 bolt action. I may be able to load longer, depending on the magazine and chamber.

It may be a while before I would be able to buy those bullets. I have plenty of 140 gr. XTPs that I use for handgun. But I would like to compare what can work and how well.

---
I have the M77/44 and have found the rotary magazine to be the deciding factor in COAL. With the FTX bullet, don't forget the length that flexible tip adds. It can bind up a rotary magazine real tight. When I tried the 225gr. FTX I loaded it in trimmed .44 mag brass and bound the magazine. Then I tried using .44Spl brass with a worked-up-to-max. for SSP load for that case using 2400. Chronograph said I was getting 1350fps but with a lot of deviation. I abandoned the load and bullet after the box was gone. Never shot a hog or deer with it so I can't speak to performance on live game.

My suggestion is to do as Hornady says and trim your brass, then load to their spec'. If that doesn't work in your magazine, try using .38Spl brass using Single-Shot Pistol data - which is essentially what a carbine-length barrel is, a long, strong-action, pistol - starting at the LOW end and working up to something your rifle likes. If you get good results, let us know.

 

[kcofohio]

---
I have the M77/44 and have found the rotary magazine to be the deciding factor in COAL. With the FTX bullet, don't forget the length that flexible tip adds. It can bind up a rotary magazine real tight. When I tried the 225gr. FTX I loaded it in trimmed .44 mag brass and bound the magazine. Then I tried using .44Spl brass with a worked-up-to-max. for SSP load for that case using 2400. Chronograph said I was getting 1350fps but with a lot of deviation. I abandoned the load and bullet after the box was gone. Never shot a hog or deer with it so I can't speak to performance on live game.

My suggestion is to do as Hornady says and trim your brass, then load to their spec'. If that doesn't work in your magazine, try using .38Spl brass using Single-Shot Pistol data - which is essentially what a carbine-length barrel is, a long, strong-action, pistol - starting at the LOW end and working up to something your rifle likes. If you get good results, let us know.

Thanks for posting your results! I will keep all that in mind.

 

[kalielkslayer]

I believe the FTX is longer and the deeper seating is in deference to keeping the COL and cannelure in the right place for revolvers. You may be able to use full length brass in the rifle, depending on dimensions of the feed system and throat. The slight advantage of the FTX is in a higher ballistic coefficient vs traditional flat point lever action bullets. This advantage is probably minimal in a cartridge like. 357.

another reason besides the higher BC I picked this round is I believe the FTX’s soft point would be safer in a tube magazine.

I do have a few 100 Speer 140 grain hollow points I was going to try also.

 

[Klaatu Barada Nikto]

another reason besides the higher BC I picked this round is I believe the FTX’s soft point would be safer in a tube magazine.
.....

That has always been my understanding as well. Like the 30-30 Leverevolution, for the same reason.
BTW, thank you for initiating this thread, your timing is impeccable.
I too am about to start loading 357 Mag for the 1st time ever. I plan to use Accurate No. 9, but I'm trying to develop a load that will work for both a Henry lever and a 6" Python.
Hornady's book is confusing (8th Ed.) it has a separate section for rifle and pistol loads. For 140 grain FTX in a rifle the COL is actually longer than the COL listed for the pistol. 1.590" for the rifle and 1.585" for the pistol.
Also the Case Trim Length for the rifle load is 1.250" and the pistol case trim length is 1.240".
Because of the lever action I would have assumed those would be flipped and the rifle COL and TL would be shorter.
While at Cabella's today looking for their empty primer shelves I ran across one of those Caliber Specific books for the 357 Mag.
Says, "2,357 Proven and Tested Loads, 97 Various Bullet Designs, 58 different powders."
For $9 I couldn't pass it up. Just hope it's not one of those "Too much info can be dangerous things."

 

[AJC1]

That has always been my understanding as well. Like the 30-30 Leverevolution, for the same reason.
BTW, thank you for initiating this thread, your timing is impeccable.
I too am about to start loading 357 Mag for the 1st time ever. I plan to use Accurate No. 9, but I'm trying to develop a load that will work for both a Henry lever and a 6" Python.
Hornady's book is confusing (8th Ed.) it has a separate section for rifle and pistol loads. For 140 grain FTX in a rifle the COL is actually longer than the COL listed for the pistol. 1.590" for the rifle and 1.585" for the pistol.
Also the Case Trim Length for the rifle load is 1.250" and the pistol case trim length is 1.240".
Because of the lever action I would have assumed those would be flipped and the rifle COL and TL would be shorter.
While at Cabella's today looking for their empty primer shelves I ran across one of those Caliber Specific books for the 357 Mag.
Says, "2,357 Proven and Tested Loads, 97 Various Bullet Designs, 58 different powders."
For $9 I couldn't pass it up. Just hope it's not one of those "Too much info can be dangerous things."

1.590 is sami max spec and applies to both. It will work in your pistol, you may need to test function in the lever. I start at max and work backwards for length.

 

[kalielkslayer]

My plan is to have functionality in both, but focus on accuracy with the rifle.

I have 3 .357 handguns. I have other loads for those BUT the reason I purchased the rifle was to have the same ammo for both.

FYI. The 140 grain FTX is currently available. See the thread on available reloading components.

Hornady must have done a run on em recently. I got back orders recently from 2 separate vendors.

 

[Klaatu Barada Nikto]

My plan is to have functionality in both, but focus on accuracy with the rifle.

I have 3 .357 handguns. I have other loads for those BUT the reason I purchased the rifle was to have the same ammo for both.

FYI. The 140 grain FTX is currently available. See the thread on available reloading components.

Hornady must have done a run on em recently. I got back orders recently from 2 separate vendors.

Report back your findings please. Especially the load outs with the VihtaV 3N37. I bought some recently but have always shied away from it due to cost.
I bought 200 of the Hornady 140g FTX on the 8th and the order says "Still Processing". I think Covid-19 was the perfect opportunity for resellers to take their time getting stuff shipped. BTW, I'm surprised those projectiles are still available, 34 cents each seems like a pre-panic price.

 

[MEHavey]

I also have 2 lbs of N110

Then you have what need.
https://www.thehighroad.org/index.php?threads/vihtavuori-n110.774080/#post-9814976

Both heavier bullets (above) and lighter
https://www.vihtavuori.com/reloading-data/handgun-reloading/?cartridge=36

.