GTSteve03
Member
I'm trying to work up a recipe for a "lite" .357 magnum load for my Ruger SP101 2.25" barrel for carry. I prefer using jacketed hollow points over lead and I really prefer heavier bullets like the 158gr. PLEASE no comments about reloads for self defense, to me it's a non-issue.
According to my research online, Alliant Power Pistol is a great powder for "short barrel" .357 loads. Based on the data I found on the Alliant website, the max recommended load for Power Pistol and a 158gr JHP is 8.0gr. This load supposedly gives ~1300fps based on their data. All I'm looking for is getting around ~1000fps from my snubby, which I think will be fine combined with the heavier JHP.
I loaded up 10 rounds using new Starline .357 brass, Zero 158gr JHPs, Winchester standard small pistol primers, and 7.0gr of Power Pistol. I assumed downloading more than 10% would give me plenty of room to work with and still get some good velocities.
So, I finally went to the range yesterday and tested the rounds out. They definitely had a kick to them, but nowhere near a full-house .357 magnum. They had some boom and flash but nothing excessive, even with the short barrel. I would have no trouble using this load as a carry round if the number work out.
I would love to know what kind of velocities I'm getting but I don't have access to a chrono at the moment. Can anyone out there run this data through some load development program they might have and give me an estimation of what I'd be achieving? Or if you have other suggestions on a good load for Power Pistol and this bullet weight, I'd love to hear it.
According to my research online, Alliant Power Pistol is a great powder for "short barrel" .357 loads. Based on the data I found on the Alliant website, the max recommended load for Power Pistol and a 158gr JHP is 8.0gr. This load supposedly gives ~1300fps based on their data. All I'm looking for is getting around ~1000fps from my snubby, which I think will be fine combined with the heavier JHP.
I loaded up 10 rounds using new Starline .357 brass, Zero 158gr JHPs, Winchester standard small pistol primers, and 7.0gr of Power Pistol. I assumed downloading more than 10% would give me plenty of room to work with and still get some good velocities.
So, I finally went to the range yesterday and tested the rounds out. They definitely had a kick to them, but nowhere near a full-house .357 magnum. They had some boom and flash but nothing excessive, even with the short barrel. I would have no trouble using this load as a carry round if the number work out.
I would love to know what kind of velocities I'm getting but I don't have access to a chrono at the moment. Can anyone out there run this data through some load development program they might have and give me an estimation of what I'd be achieving? Or if you have other suggestions on a good load for Power Pistol and this bullet weight, I'd love to hear it.