Anyone have any pet loads they want to share? Preferably in 158 or 180 gr weights. I bought it used for $260, and it has the "Ballard" style rifling, and is in excellent shape overall. Any load info would be appreciated. I would like to use it on whitetails, which is why I'm opting for the heavier bullet weights. I hope that it will stabilize 180's; any experiences out there?

Congrats!

I'd strongly suggest Marshall's 185gr. FNGC, a great 'do-everything' bullet for the .357 Mag.

Best load I've found so far is 18.0 grains of Lil' Gun under a 158 gr. Hornady FP/XTP. A solidly built bullet that will hold together at carbine velocities and very accurate in my rifle.

ETA: Your rifle will stabilize 180 grain bullets easily.

Thanks guys, I'll start acquiring bullets. Have you tried 2400, WW 296 or IMR 4227?

You'll love that .357 rifle. I use mine for everything I have to hunt in my area now including Deer (up to 100yds). It is quite a capable cartridge worth noting! I have used 16gr of 296 and H110 w/158gr bullets and have had good accuracy. However, like Imashooter2 I use Lil'Gun for my hunting loads now. I use 16.5gr of Lil'gun now though. I use to use 18gr but it was a bit hot IMO. I did get 1902fps with 158gr Speer JSP's using that loading though. For a plinking/Varmint load I like 125gr SP's using 8.0gr of Bullseye (1580 fps) or 7.5gr of Unique using a CCI-550 Magnum primer. Both are very accurate. I personally don't push the 125's over 1600fps because I find that accuracy suffers then. I find it very difficult to get any 110gr bullet stabilized enough in these carbines to be accurate though. Another pet loading of mine is a 158gr SWC hard cast using a standard pistol primer and 3.5gr of Bullseye. It makes a very cheap and fun plinking round. Good luck and let us know how it goes!

Thanks Carwi, I'll try some of those and let you know.