I have been looking for a .357 mag. load that will be easy to control in a snubbie. More powerful than the .38 SPL loads, but less recoil than standard .357 mag. loads. The .38 +P loads would work in this, but I want to use ,357 mag. brass so that I don't have a problem with leading in the cylinder, or wear. Looking through the Hodgdon manual, I noticed that the cast loads are developing much less pressure, and should be easier to control. Of the three loads listed, 125 gr. , 135 gr., or 158 gr., they all list the same four powders. Universal, HP-38, Titegroup, and Clays, the 158 gr. also lists HS-6. The top pressures for these loads are in the 18,000-30,000 CUP range, a good 10,000-20,000 CUP less than the standard .357 mag. with jacketed bullets. The 158 gr. CAST LSWC over 7.0 grains of HS-6, at 1106 FPS and 15,500 CUP. What do you guys think of this idea, should it work better for the snubbie?

Don

The load I've used for years is the 160 gr Speer SWC with 6.6 gr Unique and a CCI 500 Mag primer. This gives approx 1100 fps and is a very stable load in my S&W Mod 66 with 4" bbl.

Big Blue,
A full bore full pressure 357 out of a snubbie is something to remember for a while! I think you are on target for wanting a reduced load that's a lot easier to hit with and easier on the gun. If your snubbie has the typical fixed sights, you may end up determining the load based on where it shoots to the sights (heavier bullets tend to shoot higher in general). You did not mention what the purpose for snubbie is. Naturally that has a lot of sway on what is a proper load.

Normally a reduced load will work well with the middle range powders like HS-6, Blue Dot, Unique, AA-5 etc. I like the Hodgon book but their revolver velocites are to be considered suspect. Most of the revolver loads are shot out of a universal receiver with a pretty long barrel. That is like a rifle compared to a real revolver without a sealed chamber/barrel. Depending on the powder and the barrel length difference, you could easily be getting a one to two hundred fps lower velocity with the snubbie than Hodgon got with their long barreled, sealed test gun. Snubbies are great but they come with a lot of compromises for their portability. I still use them though since they work so well.

Still in all, you are on your way to making good sound shootable loads. Good move!

Bill

If you're looking for self-defense ammo, I think Remington still has Mid-range 357 ammo. For just walking around the woods and plinking, try 13.5 gr of 2400 with a 158 gr bullet. This is especially good with cast bullets. ==Bob

Pressure & bullet construction have nothing inherently to do with recoil. Bullet weight & muzzle velocity determine recoil. Try using lighter bullets (125 gr instead of 158).

I have been looking for a .357 mag. load that will be easy to control in a snubbie. More powerful than the .38 SPL loads, but less recoil than standard .357 mag. loads. ...

Don

Don,

I've been doing it for quite a while. I've personally had good success using 6.0 grains of Universal with just about any lead or jacketed 158. If you haven't loaded Universal yet, do so. I've never had a bad load when using it in a couple different cartridges and guns.

I have found the best powder in all of my snubbies, including a 2inch 357, is Hodgdon Longshot. Seat the 158 lead bullets flush with the case mouth to REDUCE powder capacity, and work up from 5.0 grs over a chronograph.

Stop where recoil is a problem or 1100 fps, which ever comes first.

Hi, I'm new to this board.

Actually I'm new to handguns and handloading as I just turned 21, but in the 2 weeks since I got my permit I've loaded and shot about 1,000 rounds through my S&W 2 1/2" scandium frame revolver, and so far my favourite combination has been 125 gr. JSP with about 5.8 gr. of Unique. This might seem anemic when compared to standard magnum loads, but it gave me the best groups at combat distances (7, 10, 15 yds) probably due to the fact I wasn't flinching from the painful recoil that standard .357 ammo has in my 18oz revolver.

A similar factory load, excellent for defense, is the Remington 357M11. It uses a standard scalloped JHP with medium-burn rate powder. A great load for snubbies.