Is it worth reloading 357 magnum?

[MacAR]

Me: “hey shoot like 1 or 2 in the cylinder unless you see the final, good crimp (was still getting the dies set perfectly). They are safe, just get the feel of the recoil before filling a cylinder with the good crimped bullets”

My dad: “um, are these safe? Is it over the max? Is it too powerful? *insert worried remarks here*”

Me: “you wanted a hot hunting load….”

FYI the load was 16.5gr H110 about .2 below absolute max so as to stay within specs for any possible deviation in throwing with the Lee dropper

That's a fairly stout load! I don't shoot 'em that hot in my pistols since I lost one of the fingers on my right hand. When that happened I lost a lot of my grip strength, which made the heavy loads no fun anymore. I will say, my little brother touched one off in his Smith and immediately said he didn't want any more!

Just to be on the safe side I weigh all my "rifle" 357 charges. I'm sure if I was .1 grain over it wouldn't hurt the M92, but it doesn't hurt to play it safe especially when loading exactly to the max.

Mac

 

[ballman6711]

I went to or just over 16.0gr of H110 when developing a load for my original Colt King Cobra, and ended up settling on 15.8gr. Anything over that didn't show an improvement unless I wanted more flash and bang. On top of that, if the gun gets damaged I'm not sure I would be able to find a qualified smith to work on it.

Glad your dad likes the load, I'm sure it'll do what he wants if he does his part.

chris

 

[Average Joe]

If you shoot a lot then yes. Around here a box of .357 is currently going for $40.00 a box at Shooters World.

 

[Mstafford88]

Update: My dad loved the rounds and the wrapping

 

[Palladan44]

So my question I guess is: for those who load 357mag for hunting only, is it worth all the effort?

I sure think so.
And as far as ease of loading, 357 is about as simple as it gets. Forgiving as just about any. It's actually the first caliber I started reloading many moons ago.

 

[Bronco72]

I feel that I can reload premium and accurate cartridges for my hand guns for about the price of bulk and maybe not so accurate fodder. Also I get a lot of satisfaction rolling my own in everything except rimfire. Do not have any interest in reloading them but maybe after the zombies start roaming around

 

[Bobaloo22]

According to my five year old nephew (who drew the Zombie on my avatar) the zombies are already here. I agree with him every time we go to the mall.

 

[2zulu1]

No.
But I save by casting my own bullets & reloading brass 15 times on average.

Box of 50 reloads $32.50 (New Starline brass, Hornady 158 gr jhp. ($.65 each round)
Box of 50 factory Federal ammo $37.00

Priced @ Midwayusa.

View attachment 1172772

I buy brass directly from Starline, .357mag and 9mm +P brass have a $1.00 price difference per 1,000 price break and free shipping.

357 Mag Brass - Magnum Small Pistol - Brass Cases

 

[2zulu1]

If one enjoys shooting revolvers, this is a great caliber to load and become proficient with, one I've loaded for over 5 decades.

Like many others, I'm trying to keep a balance between factory ammunition and handloading components because this is a caliber that gets shot a lot. I'm dismayed with the way factory ammunition is being watered down, just like 10mm is. I don't load max in either caliber and there's no need for ammo factories to charge the $$$$$s they do because the components don't add up to the MRSP, plus these companies are cheaping out by using less powder in their ammunition, IMO.

Not that long ago, one could go to Walmart and buy 100 round boxes of Remington 125gr SJHPs, a top tier defense load, for ~$40.00. Now, Remington has repackaged this ammunition, and I'm seeing online prices in the $1.25/per round range.

Rimrock is the company that Buffalo Bore contracts with for many of their lead ammunition offerings, I use these bullets for practice and for straight line shooting when I'm in thick mesquite. The .357mag is a working caliber on the ranch, practice, practice, practice.

.38/.357 SWC 158 gr. per 800

In-Stock .38 SWC 158 gr. per 800 (sized .358) OAL 0.693, Meplat 0.230, Nose to crimp groove 0.324

rimrockbullets.com