Reloading 357 for Rifle vs. Pistol

[Skeptic13]

I have been reloading .357 magnum for pistol using 8.2 gr (8.4 gr is Hodgdon max load) of Longshot for 158 gr Hornady XTP bullets. This load has functioned flawlessly in the two revolvers that I have shot them out of. Recently I purchased a Winchester 92 rifle in .357 magnum. I looked up the reloading data on Hodgdon’s website for .357 magnum rifle and Longshot is not in the list of powders. My question is this just an omission or didn’t feel like including it thing and I am fine shooting these loads in my rifle or is there actually a reason that Hodgdon would not use Longshot as a powder for loading for rifle?

 

[Ohen Cepel]

My guess is that Longshot burns a bit faster than they like for a rifle load.

 

[Charlie98]

My guess is that Longshot burns a bit faster than they like for a rifle load.

Say what?

Longshot is in the general area as Universal, Unique, Herco, and some others... I'm sure it will work fine in the rifle. FWIW, I've used TiteGroup and RedDot in .45 Colt handloads, out of my H&R... those are waaay faster than Longshot.

Remember, 'rifle' data still conforms to the same SAAMI requirements as any 'pistol' load in the same cartridge, it's simply updated for velocity out of the longer barrels.

You will note... there is NO .357 rifle data with Accurate or Ramshot powders, because Western never developed data for pistol cartridges in a rifle... .357MAG is .357MAG.

 

[dobedo]

I have been reloading .357 magnum for pistol using 8.2 gr (8.4 gr is Hodgdon max load) of Longshot for 158 gr Hornady XTP bullets. This load has functioned flawlessly in the two revolvers that I have shot them out of. Recently I purchased a Winchester 92 rifle in .357 magnum. I looked up the reloading data on Hodgdon’s website for .357 magnum rifle and Longshot is not in the list of powders. My question is this just an omission or didn’t feel like including it thing and I am fine shooting these loads in my rifle or is there actually a reason that Hodgdon would not use Longshot as a powder for loading for rifle?

The sight attached does have factory loads for 357 Mag rifles.

https://shootersreference.com/reloadingdata/357-magnum/

 

[film495]

I'm no expert, but my understanding is if you have a good pistol load, that it is fine for a rifle chambered for it. Only issue I'm aware of would be lead bullets might get some velocity gain, and cause leading or something like that, but if you're shooting good plated bullets, it will work the exact same - the bullets will just get a good jump in fps.

 

[Show Me]

.357 and 296 goes together like peas and carrots

 

[eddiememphis]

Shoot one through the rifle and see what happens.

If it squibs, you'll know it was too slow.

If your load hasn't blown up your revolvers, it is very unlikely to blow up your rifle.

 

[Palladan44]

I'd start back at the starting charge and work back up the load to make sure you're safe, then use it. Odds are, it will be great!!
If you're looking for maximum velocity for say a medium game hunting load, then I'd probably look for a slower powder like W296, Lil Gun, H,110 or 300MP

 

[AJC1]

Carbine and pistol take exactly the same loads and pressures. The longer carbine barrel returns much higher velosity for the same powder charge.

 

[Charlie98]

I'd start back at the starting charge and work back up the load to make sure you're safe, then use it. Odds are, it will be great!!

I'm usually Mr Safety, but he's already developed his load... it works fine in his pistols, and appears to be within published data... why would you drop back? A .357 is a .357... rifle or pistol.

 

[Palladan44]

I'm usually Mr Safety, but he's already developed his load... it works fine in his pistols, and appears to be within published data... why would you drop back? A .357 is a .357... rifle or pistol.

If he's at or near max and the pressures are fine in a revolver, that doesn't necessarily mean the pressures will be the exact same in the rifle.
Or the accuracy will be the same either.

There's a good chance it will be fine and Accurate, but never can be too sure.

OP- are you roll crimping a little bit in the cannelures on those XTPs? It's a little extra insurance to prevent setback in the tube magazines of that rifle.

 

[AJC1]

If he's at or near max and the pressures are fine in a revolver, that doesn't necessarily mean the pressures will be the exact same in the rifle.
Or the accuracy will be the same either.

There's a good chance it will be fine and Accurate, but never can be too sure.

OP- are you roll crimping a little bit in the cannelures on those XTPs? It's a little extra insurance to prevent setback in the tube magazines of that rifle.

The lever gun teachers the monster mean crimp.... it also humbles those used to shooting all kinds of cool bullets in pistols. Keith 170 swc not going to happen

 

[lowcountry308]

Use the same data. Just be careful with lighter loads. They can turn into stuck bullets in a rifle. I’ve had it happen.

 

[Charlie98]

Keith 170 swc not going to happen

I had some beautiful 220grn Keith bullets for the .41... but the Marlin gagged on them... juuuuust a hair too long.

 

[AJC1]

I had some beautiful 220grn Keith bullets for the .41... but the Marlin gagged on them... juuuuust a hair too long.

Mine shaves off the top of that nice square shoulder...

 

[Show Me]

I'd start back at the starting charge and work back up the load to make sure you're safe, then use it. Odds are, it will be great!!
If you're looking for maximum velocity for say a medium game hunting load, then I'd probably look for a slower powder like W296, Lil Gun, H,110 or 300MP

What does an over pressure .357 look like

 

[J-Bar]

The Model 92 action is a very strong action. If the rifle is chambered for .357 Magnum, it can handle any .357 commercial ammo. As long as the handload recipe does not exceed the loading table maximum, I would not hesitate to use it in a Model 92 rifle.

My personal experience with Model 92 lever guns is they can be sensitive to overall cartridge length. In cowboy action shooting, a few rifles can digest a mix of .38 Specials and .357 Magnums without hiccups. But many are finicky and will work only within a narrow range of COAL. So I would be more concerned about cartridge length than the load recipe, as long as the powder charge does not exceed chart maximum.

 

[Show Me]

The Model 92 action is a very strong action. If the rifle is chambered for .357 Magnum, it can handle any .357 commercial ammo. As long as the handload recipe does not exceed the loading table maximum, I would not hesitate to use it in a Model 92 rifle.

My personal experience with Model 92 lever guns is they can be sensitive to overall cartridge length. In cowboy action shooting, a few rifles can digest a mix of .38 Specials and .357 Magnums without hiccups. But many are finicky and will work only within a narrow range of COAL. So I would be more concerned about cartridge length than the load recipe, as long as the powder charge does not exceed chart maximum.

Be more concerned with nose width. You can use over length RNFP narrow nose or over length 140 ftx slick as snot

 

[Palladan44]

The lever gun teachers the monster mean crimp.... it also humbles those used to shooting all kinds of cool bullets in pistols. Keith 170 swc not going to happen

I just said a little bit, not a monster mean crimp.

What does an over pressure .357 look like

You'll never really know unfortunately.
I'd shoot through a Chrono and see where the velocity is at, and see where the accuracy is at.
I don't understand the harm in trying the load ladder over again. Maybe the sweet spot will be .5gr less than the revolver load or .2 up to the max.

All I know is I'd be looking for at least 1300fps and for holes touching each other at 25 yds w/ LS from a carbine.

 

[Charlie98]

If the rifle is chambered for .357 Magnum, it can handle any .357 commercial ammo. As long as the handload recipe does not exceed the loading table maximum

Correct.

I don't understand the harm in trying the load ladder over again. Maybe the sweet spot will be .5gr less than the revolver load or .2 up to the max.

There is no harm in it, but it is needless. The OP didn't say anything about accuracy, just whether or not they would work in the rifle... he probably just wants to put some rounds downrange and get a feel for the rifle... THEN he can break down the handloads and work on something, assuming the accuracy is wanting.

 

[Palladan44]

Correct.



There is no harm in it, but it is needless. The OP didn't say anything about accuracy, just whether or not they would work in the rifle... he probably just wants to put some rounds downrange and get a feel for the rifle... THEN he can break down the handloads and work on something, assuming the accuracy is wanting.

Ok so the OP already has his revolver loads on hand, and wants to use them In the rifle, then fine. But I assumed since he was seeking out data and was looking to load up, why not start it over......nevermind.

 

[Show Me]

I just said a little bit, not a monster mean crimp.

You'll never really know unfortunately.
I'd shoot through a Chrono and see where the velocity is at, and see where the accuracy is at.
I don't understand the harm in trying the load ladder over again. Maybe the sweet spot will be .5gr less than the revolver load or .2 up to the max.

All I know is I'd be looking for at least 1300fps and for holes touching each other at 25 yds w/ LS from a carbine.

Yep, and open sight carbine with a stiff trigger you'll never notice plus or minus two or three tenths or more. Just load book max and go. Pistol carbines are so relaxing compared to rifle loading.

 

[AJC1]

Yep, and open sight carbine with a stiff trigger you'll never notice plus or minus two or three tenths or more. Just load book max and go. Pistol carbines are so relaxing compared to rifle loading.

A nice trigger job from someone who knows what their doing totally changes a carbine if your shooting for points. I wouldn't risk saftey or ruining parts, but their was a guy at NC Pala that was a dam lever gun magician. A peep and a globe site finishes them off nicely. A carbine can be a lot of things, from fun range toy to meet getter in the thick woods.

 

[Skeptic13]

.357 and 296 goes together like peas and carrots

This is another great example. Hodgdon shows load data for 296 under pistol loads but doesn’t show any Winchester or Ramshot or Accurate powder load data in rifle. That is why I am leaning toward Hodgdon just didn’t put a lot of effort into developing 357 rifle load data.

 

[Skeptic13]

If he's at or near max and the pressures are fine in a revolver, that doesn't necessarily mean the pressures will be the exact same in the rifle.
Or the accuracy will be the same either.

There's a good chance it will be fine and Accurate, but never can be too sure.

OP- are you roll crimping a little bit in the cannelures on those XTPs? It's a little extra insurance to prevent setback in the tube magazines of that rifle.

Yes I am using a Lee factory crimp die and giving them a light crimp.