Recommendations for Light 357 Magnum loads...

[IWAC]

Or maybe even .38 Spl. +P equivalents, using small pistol primers in 357 brass. I figure 800-950 fps should cover most reasonable applications. I have HP 38, Unique, AA#5, and Universal to choose from, and 125gr. Plated and jacketed, 130, 135 jacketed and 150 and 158gr cast SWC bullets. So far, my go-to load for 150-158 gr. cast has been 5.5 gr. Unique. 860 fps from a 4" barrel. Too much published data is with barrel lengths that aren't useful, and are too long for ballpark extrapolation of muzzle velocity.

 

[ArchAngelCD]

If you like Unique you will like Universal. They are extremely similar powders.

All of the powder you list will deliver a light .357 Magnum load. I'm a big fan of W231/HP-38 but IMO AA#5 will.do.a.better job for what you're looking for. With that 135gr jacketed bullet a charge of 6.8gr to 7.0gr AA#5 will give you what you want.

There are too many bullets listed to give you my thoughts on. You should really pear it down a little to get help.

 

[JohnB-40]

I load 4.5gr of HP38 in 357 cases with 158gr CFN for target work. Works for me in both 4.6" Vaquero and '73 Winchester.

 

[GeoDudeFlorida]

It depends on what you mean by “light.” Light recoil, light bullet, light powder charge?

My assumption is always that “light” means recoil but you know what they say about assuming…

 

[DMW1116]

I’ve only used one of those powders and none of those bullets. That said I have found good loads with 125 grain cast bullets and minimum charges of W231 and CFE Pistol. I use the minimum charges from Hodgdens web site for 357 Magnum. All my loads for 357 Magnum use small pistol primers, but I only use HS6 and Alliant 2400 for actual magnum loads, both of which seem to work fine with SPP and that’s what Alliant lists in their 2400 data.

 

[PO2Hammer]

7 grains of Unique (or N340) with a 125 grain jacketed bullet in magnum brass and a standard primer is my go to load. Around 38+p level.
HP-38 works, but has poor case fill.

 

[cfullgraf]

I like shooting light 357 Mag ammunition these days. These days I load and shoot 158-160 grain semi-wadcutters over 6.3 grains of Unique.

These loads chronograph at 920-950 fps from a 4” barrel revolver (1000 fps from a 6” revolver).

They are pleasant to shoot even in a 3” Model 60. I have K-frame, N-frame, J-frame, Blackhawk, and T/C Contender 357 Mag handguns.

My load can be duplicated with any of the powders listed. I use W231/HP-38 and Accurate #5 in other applications and I know they will work fine with light 357 Mag loads. Lots of folks like Universal so that also is an option. I’m sure there are other powders that will work.

I don’t pay attention to book velocity data. I do my own testing. Good chronographs are fairly reasonably priced these days. Low cost chronographs require more manual data reduction from the user. As price goes up, the more data reduction the chronograph does for the user.

In my opinion, a chronograph is a tool tough to justify when you don’t own one but invaluable once you own one.

 

[GRIZ22]

6.0 grs of Unique with a 158 swc gives me 1000 fps in most of my 4" 357s.

 

[Bronco72]

In 357 case 3.6 grs of WST. It's what I got when I could not find any Bullseye. I use it in several other cartridges as well! 5.5 grs of WST in 44 mag case give 750 fps for a 300 gr cast out of 7.5 barreled Redhawk. Anyway that my contribution to the thread

 

[GeoDudeFlorida]

For .38’s in the 125-135gr weight class I go with Unique and a 4-5-6 formula:
.38S&W = 4.0gr
.38Spl = 5.0gr
.357Mag = 6.0gr
Those all based on lubed lead, around 10-12BHN, and round out in 850-950fps range. I need to stress: DO NOT load older pre-smokeless break-top revolvers that hot. Metal fatigue is a real thing.

 

[Walkalong]

My light .357 load is WST or Competition with a 158 Gr bullet for around 700/750 FPS.

My intermediate .357 load is BE-86 with a 158 Gr bullet for around 1000/1050 FPS.

My full power .357 load is 2400 with a 158 Gr bullet for around 12001250 FPS.

 

[Skgreen]

My full power .357 load is 2400 with a 158 Gr bullet for around 12001250 FPS

12 million fps is pretty darn hot,,, Definitely not a 'one-hander',,,

 

[Mr_Flintstone]

Or maybe even .38 Spl. +P equivalents, using small pistol primers in 357 brass. I figure 800-950 fps should cover most reasonable applications. I have HP 38, Unique, AA#5, and Universal to choose from, and 125gr. Plated and jacketed, 130, 135 jacketed and 150 and 158gr cast SWC bullets. So far, my go-to load for 150-158 gr. cast has been 5.5 gr. Unique. 860 fps from a 4" barrel. Too much published data is with barrel lengths that aren't useful, and are too long for ballpark extrapolation of muzzle velocity.

I just did the same thing not long ago, except I was loading mine for a Henry rifle. I wanted to load my Berry’s 125 gr plated to stay just under the 1200 fps rating out of the rifle. I finally settled on 6.6 gr Win 231(HP-38) which chronographed 1150 fps from the rifle. That should put you pretty close the 800-900 fps range from a revolver.

 

[IWAC]

If you like Unique you will like Universal. They are extremely similar powders.

All of the powder you list will deliver a light .357 Magnum load. I'm a big fan of W231/HP-38 but IMO AA#5 will.do.a.better job for what you're looking for. With that 135gr jacketed bullet a charge of 6.8gr to 7.0gr AA#5 will give you what you want.

There are too many bullets listed to give you my thoughts on. You should really pear it down a little to get help.

Thanks! I know I have too many bullets. I plan to shoot them up as soon as I can.

 

[mdi]

Many, many times I have used 38 Special data in 357 Magnum brass. I got some very light "357 Magnum" handloads that way (I was teaching my 12 yr old daughter to shoot my 4" 357 Magnum loaded with some Special data. Light recoil, less smoke and softer report). The velocities listed in the manual for 38 will be higher than the same load achieves in 357 brass. I have used cast bullets 99-1, and never stuck a bullet in a barrel with Special loads in Magnum brass.

 

[BBarn]

It's been a long time since I loaded light 357 Mag with W231. I don't recall what I thought of it.

I generally use Red Dot or Accurate #2 for light revolver loads. Power Pistol or BE86 for moderate revolver loads.

I've also used W231 for light loads in the 44 Mag and 45 Colt. Liked it in the 45 Colt, but didn't like it in the 44 Mag. Go figure. Perhaps I loaded W231 in the 44 Mag a little heavier than desired.

 

[Blue68f100]

My light mouse fart load are with WST and 158gr LSWC. I believe these are in the 650-700 fps range out of my 6" Python.

I use 2400 or W296 for full power loads.

You can always start a suggested min and work backwards till you find something you like. Just becareful and make sure the bullet clears the end of the barrel. If you find that point jump up 0.2 gr and you should be good to go. Normally you want to use a fast burn powder for this. And there are some ppowders thast do not download nicely, aka W296/H110. Also some powders burn very dirty at low pressure. The reason for recommending a fast burn powder.

 

[Walkalong]

12 million fps is pretty darn hot,,, Definitely not a 'one-hander',,,

Dang, punctuation is my friend. 1200/1250.