Please recommend a hot, yet accurate 357 magnum load

[RealGun]

No, that's quite true. In my early days, I took Unique beyond book data in the .41, it was a handful... but no more than a case full of W296. But I do agree... heavy loads with IMR4227 are a lot easier to handle.

I am about to load the car on the way to the range and have included 41 Mag with H110 and XTPs. Kaboom! I use IMR4227 with lead.

 

[Rule3]

Accuracy and plated bullets seem to be at opposite ends of the spectrum. My advice is to get you some really good lead or average jacketed bullets for starters.

My thoughts also, You want accurate bullets then you need something other than plated. Not saying anything negative about Rainer per say.
Try a few Hornady XTPs or some cast LSWC and see how they do with the HS6. One variable at a time.

2400 is THE 357 mag powder but you want to stay with HS6 which is fine.

"HOT" and accurate do not always go together.

How accurate are you with a 4 inch revolver at 25 yards with other bullets or with a factory load?

 

[NoirFan]

Have you checked for bullet pull? I load up six and shoot five and measure the remaining cartridge.

I have not checked for bullet pull but I don’t believe the roll crimp is damaging the plating. I have pulled some of these loads and the crimp line is only a slight crease in the plating.

My thoughts also, You want accurate bullets then you need something other than plated. Not saying anything negative about Rainer per say.
Try a few Hornady XTPs or some cast LSWC and see how they do with the HS6. One variable at a time.
2400 is THE 357 mag powder but you want to stay with HS6 which is fine.
"HOT" and accurate do not always go together.
How accurate are you with a 4 inch revolver at 25 yards with other bullets or with a factory load?

Thanks, I am very willing to change bullet style/material but less willing to switch to a slower burning powder. A bit slower velocity is OK if I can avoid dealing with the huge blast of H110 and so on. To me a “hot” load is a 158gr bullet at ~1250 FPS from a 4” barrel. But it must be accurate as well.

I can shoot a 2-3” group from the bench at 25 yards, using 38 special factory and handloads, on a good day. I can’t get below 4” with plated magnum loads. Part of that might be flinch but part is the bullet for sure.

I think I will try out a coated Missouri SWC with HS6 to see if I can do better. If not, then I will look into other powders.

Thanks all

 

[Toprudder]

If you are looking for max velocity, in barrels 8" or longer, then try 300-MP with 158gn XTP/FP bullets. I've had good results with that combination, and is one of the most accurate loads out of my carbine. In barrels shorter than 6", though, 300-MP does not offer anything over the other powders.

H-110, as already mentioned, gives good results but has impressive flash/bang. If you don't want the loud report and flash, then 2400 or N-110. Of the powders I mention, the only one that requires magnum primers is H-110.

 

[frankmako]

Heavy roll crimp does not work with plated bullets. A heavy crimp on a plated bullet will make it go all over the place. Even a heavy taper crimp will do the same thing. I use titegroup with the 125, 158 plated and 125, 140, and 158 fmj bullet.

 

[Rule3]

I have not checked for bullet pull but I don’t believe the roll crimp is damaging the plating. I have pulled some of these loads and the crimp line is only a slight crease in the plating.



Thanks, I am very willing to change bullet style/material but less willing to switch to a slower burning powder. A bit slower velocity is OK if I can avoid dealing with the huge blast of H110 and so on. To me a “hot” load is a 158gr bullet at ~1250 FPS from a 4” barrel. But it must be accurate as well.

I can shoot a 2-3” group from the bench at 25 yards, using 38 special factory and handloads, on a good day. I can’t get below 4” with plated magnum loads. Part of that might be flinch but part is the bullet for sure.

I think I will try out a coated Missouri SWC with HS6 to see if I can do better. If not, then I will look into other powders.

Thanks all

What is the reluctance to go with a slower powder? If you want max velocity slower powders are the answer. HS-6 is a pretty good medium slow powder. Nothing wrong with it. Most say you need a Mag primer with it. I have some but have no real use for it.

 

[NoirFan]

What is the reluctance to go with a slower powder? If you want max velocity slower powders are the answer. HS-6 is a pretty good medium slow powder. Nothing wrong with it. Most say you need a Mag primer with it. I have some but have no real use for it.

I mostly shoot at an indoor range and the concussion and fireball from a full charge of slow powder gets pretty tiresome. Part of it is also having some consideration for neighboring lanes. I find the blast of HS6 to be tolerable indoors even at max charges. Maybe I’ll try 2400 or one of the others suggested in the thread.

 

[Jeff H]

I find the blast of HS6 to be tolerable indoors even at max charges. Maybe I’ll try 2400 or one of the others suggested in the thread..

Full power magnum load will be tolerable in an indoor range, just barely. I shot a handful the other day of 2400 full house loads and they seemed just as loud as the guy in the bay next to me destroying a target at 10 yards with a 5.56 AR15-- Which should be a topic for a whole different thread......

My wife shooting 380 in the bay next to me was not at all pleased by my 357 shots nor the 5.56. Just saying.

 

[Walkalong]

Powerbond 125 Gr plated HP over 9.1 Grs N340 heavy taper crimp at 25 yards. Pulled one down bad.

Load is "brisk". Work up carefully..

 

[ArchAngelCD]

I don't blame you for wanting to stick with HS-6, it's one of my 3 favorite powders.

I would change your bullet if it were me. I like 158gr LSWC bullets or the same bullet but coated. A charge of 9.2gr HS-6 under a 158gr LSWC is very accurate in my revolvers and it's not the top charge weight. Lyman lists 9.7gr so there is room if you need to find a more accurate load in your guns. Stick with the magnum primers.

Just a note, with the same bullet it's hard to beat the classic load of 14.5gr 2400. I use both loads.

 

[mavracer]

Heavy roll crimp does not work with plated bullets. A heavy crimp on a plated bullet will make it go all over the place. Even a heavy taper crimp will do the same thing. I use titegroup with the 125, 158 plated and 125, 140, and 158 fmj bullet.

Doesn't even take a heavy crimp I've got about 600 10mm loaded up that won't shoot a lick past about 5 yards cause they'll shed the plating and start to tumble. 165gr HP with medium taper crimp

 

[Toprudder]

I mostly shoot at an indoor range and the concussion and fireball from a full charge of slow powder gets pretty tiresome. Part of it is also having some consideration for neighboring lanes. I find the blast of HS6 to be tolerable indoors even at max charges. Maybe I’ll try 2400 or one of the others suggested in the thread.

If mid-range 357 is ok with you, I really like BE86 and 158gn bullets for that. Good accuracy (depending on the bullet) and only about 150fps down from full-tilt magnum loads. But if you already have HS-6, then go with it. I did not like HS-6 in other calibers, compared to other powders, and decided to use it up shooting some pulled 125gn bullets I got a deal on. They shot very well.

 

[Walkalong]

If mid-range 357 is ok with you, I really like BE86 and 158gn bullets for that.

Agreed. A 158 at about 1050ish with BE-86 is a very good midrange load.

 

[Rule3]

I am not a fan boy of Unique Powder, but you may want to try some. It is very versatile and "Unique"

 

[buck460XVR]

Accuracy and plated bullets seem to be at opposite ends of the spectrum.

Same goes for"hot" .357 loads. The inability to do a heavy crimp and the thin jackets, even on the heavier plated pills, makes for top end velocities almost impossible. The exception is Speer's "bonded" bullets like the Gold Dots and Deep Curls.

 

[Stumper]

Many have already expressed concerns about the bullets you are using. Regarding powders and charge weights with 158-160gr bullets....14grs of 2400 is powerful and accurate in most guns. I haven't loaded Blue Dot in years but 9.8 grains shot well in my guns. My favorite almost full power powder in both .357 and .44 magnums is 800X. Lots of folk hate the way it meters but it actually shoots great with + or - a tenth of a grain from nominal and consistent measure operation gives me that from my powder measures. Try 8.2 grains of 800X in .357.