Reloading The .357 Magnum

Left to right:-- 160 gr. SWC+GC, 160 gr. JSP, .357 with JHP, .357 with JSP
.357 Armour Piercing, 160 gr. JHP, 125 gr. JHP

(WC= WadCutter, SWC= Semi-WadCutter, HP= Hollow Point, RN= Round Nose), SP=Soft Point, (JHP= Jacketed Hollow Point and if GC indicated, means Gas Check at bottom of lead bullet)

Loads for .357 Magnum:

(Note: These are near maximum loads, you should use 10% less to start.)
(See note on Powders below or read all about various Powders.)
Bullets are .357" for jacketed and .358" for lead in diameter. Due to different barrel lengths, type of bullet, seating depth, primer type and other factors, you may not get near the FPS charted. It is just a guide and the reason you should start under these charges and work up.

----------------------------------------
110 grain JHP (Jacketed Hollow Point)
    Bullseye   9.0 gr.   1,690 FPS
    Unique    10.0 gr.   1,735
    HS6       10.6 gr.   1,612
    HP38       7.9 gr.   1,414
    No. 2      8.8 gr.   1,324
    No. 5     10.8 gr.   1,340
    231        8.8 gr.   1,575
-----------------------------------------
125 grain JHP or JSP (Jacketed Hollow or Soft Point)
    Bullseye   8.4 gr.   1,550 FPS
    Unique     9.6 gr.   1,585
    Universal  8.8 gr.   1,435
    HS6       10.0 gr.   1,542
    HP38       7.0 gr.   1,267
    No. 2      8.2 gr.   1,312
    No. 5     10.1 gr.   1,322
    No. 7     12.0 gr.   1,236
    231        8.1 gr.   1,460
    296*      18.5 gr.   1,800
* use magnum primers
-----------------------------------------
146-148 grain LWC (Lead Wad Cutter)
  (I don't recommend lead at over 900 FPS)
  (unless at least using a Gas Check)
    Bullseye   5.7 gr.   1,475 FPS
    Unique     6.4 gr.   1,465
    Universal  4.0 gr.     989
    HP38       4.3 gr.     962
    231        3.4 gr.     880
-----------------------------------------
158 grain LSWC or LRN (Semi-Wad Cutter or Round Nose)
  (I don't recommend lead at over 900 FPS)
  (unless at least using a Gas Check or copper plated)
    Bullseye   6.5 gr.   1,320 FPS
    Unique     6.8 gr.   1,295
    Universal  6.7 gr.   1,297
    HP38       3.9 gr.     846
    No. 2      5.8 gr.   1,074
    No. 5      8.2 gr.   1,239
    No. 7     10.5 gr.   1,239
    231        6.7 gr.   1,275
    231        6.1 gr.   1,075 (plated, actual in 7" bbl revolver)
    296*      14.5 gr.   1,560
* use magnum primers
-----------------------------------------
158-160 grain JHP or JSP (Jacketed Hollow or Soft Point)
    Bullseye   6.8 gr.   1,250 FPS
    Unique     7.8 gr.   1,280
    2400      15.2 gr.   1,535
    Universal  7.5 gr.   1,299
    HP38       5.4 gr.   1,020
    HS6        9.0 gr.   1,240
    No. 2      6.9 gr.   1,088
    No. 5      8.6 gr.   1,080
    No. 7     10.5 gr.   1,139
    231        6.9 gr.   1,260
    231        6.1 gr.   1,013 (Actual in 7" bbl revolver)
    296*      16.6 gr.   1,610
* use magnum primers
-----------------------------------------
180 grain JFP (Jacketed Flat Point)
    Bullseye   6.3 gr.   1,135 FPS
    Unique     7.0 gr.   1,125
    2400      12.5 gr.   1,300
    H4227     13.0 gr.   1,240
    No. 5      8.0 gr.   1,040
    No. 7      9.4 gr.   1,023
    296*      14.1 gr.   1,380
* use magnum primers
-----------------------------------------
200 grain LEAD  (SWC or RN)
    231        5.5 gr.   1,060
    296*      12.4 gr.   1,335
* use magnum primers
-----------------------------------------

Discussion: Universal and Unique are good for lighter bullets, but if you want a slower burning powder, I suggest 2400, HS6 or No. 7. 2400 can also be used in rifle cartridges, like the 30-06, so it's a good one to have for the magnum pistol loads and for rifle. I prefer the Unique, and I also use it for .38 special, just less of it. If you have a lightweight .357 or older gun, you may want to start with 1.0 gr. less than amounts listed above, and work up to the full loads. - - - Below, are three loaded rounds. The armor piercing round was bought commercially. It has a steel core and will pierce an engine block.

For any loads over 900 FPS, I suggest using a jacketed bullet. Jacketed bullets create a bit more wear on the rifling, but it's better than trying to wire brush out a bunch of lead build up. At the VERY least, use a copper Gas Check lead bullet or a copper plated bullet. There is also the issue of lead vapor to breathe if on an indoor range. Full copper plated bullets are a good idea for .357 loads instead of plain lead. Just depends on what kinds of loads you plan to shoot.

*
Bullseye, Unique and 2400 are products of Alliant (formerly Hercules) Powders.
Clays, Universal, HP38, HS6 and H4895 are products of Hodgdon Powders.
IMR 3031 and IMR 4895 are products of IMR (formerly DuPont) Powder Company.
No. 2, No. 5, No. 7, #2230, and #2460 are products of Accurate Arms Company
WMR, 760, 748, 231, 296 and 540 are products of Winchester, Components Div.

References: Accurate Arms Co. 1996 Reloading booklet - - Alliant Powder Co. Reloaders' Guide (1995) - - Hodgdon's Basic Reloaders Manual (1996) - - Speer Reloading Manual, #12 - - Winchester Reloading Components Manual, 14th edition - - Lyman Piston & Revolver Reloading Handbook, 2nd edition. - - VihtaVuori Oy Company, reloading booklet (1995) - - Numerous magazine articles on reloading special calibers and personal loads where noted.

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