.357 security six, what grain loads ??

[ferryboatcaptain]

I just  bought my first .357  in a stainless security six with the 6' barrel and don't really know what weight of loads to use. I remember reading that heavier loads  shoot better out of most guns.  any info about loads  and the ruger security six would be great.          FBC   

[kynardsj]

My 4 inch Security Six preferred 158 grain SWCGC's or 158 gr jacketed over a good load of Lilgun but yours might have different preferences.

[NickSS]

I have had one in 4 inch and one in 6 inch for years and the six inch stainless is my favorite 357 mag for carrying when walking in the woods or small game hunting (I hunt no big game sith a handgun).  I have used a lot of different bullets in my revolver over the years.  Mostly I shoot 150 and 176 gr SWC in my pistols driven with 7 gr of Unique for 357 mags or 3.5 gr of Red Dot for 38 spl. I have killed a lot of rabbits, grouse, squirrels and coyotes over the years with my pistol and it has never let me down.

[bubbinator]

FB Capt- what do you plan to use this 357 for?  The standard by which self defense loads have matured over the yrs. holds a 357 125Gr.  Jacketed Hollowpoint at 1350 (+/-) is a 98% (+/-) one shot manstopper.  New 40/45 loads rival this, but you have 357.  140/158 or even 180gr hunting loads are available.  For practise, .38 Special 158 SWCs are great and cheap.(A local gun shop sells them for $150 a case (1K rds). When I carry my 6" M66 S&W in the woods I load it with 140 gr. Sierra JHCs (jacketed hollow cavity) loaded with H110 or WW P230.  Good luck, that is a study gun.

[Luckyducker]

I use 158 grain lead semi-wadcutters in my 357 for general shooting (prefer Keith style when available).  I don't hunt with this caliber, but if I was going deer hunting with it I would step up to a 180 grain bullet.  I tried some 125 grain bullets in my 357 but in my opinion they are just too light for caliber, and have also heard these light bullets can sometimes flame cut the topstrap with stouter loads.

[bubbinator]

FB Capt- good advice posted, but as far as flame-cutting goes- I carried 38 revolvers with the militray for 20 yrs w/ no such issues, then went to a PD carrying 357s and mandating 4 times a yr qualification w/ full power 125gr ammo and we never had a "flame-cutting issue w/ guns with thousands of rounds thru them.   I did manage to crack the forcing cone of an old S&W M66 4" with some very stout Sierra 140 JHC loads, they were fine in my S&W M28 and Marlin 1892 Rifle.  My wife asked the PD Instructor if she could shoot those loads in her duty gun and he said yes.  Too bad for him.  Always be careful of your loads, enjoy the process, working uploads means more fun and experince shooting !