Author Topic: New higher pressure .357 loads? (Read 529 times)

wideglide_1450 · « **on:** November 03, 2004, 09:27:38 AM »

I was wanting your guy's opinions on some of the newer .357 Mag loads I'm seeing in the manuals.It looks like SAAMI upped the pressure limits a bit,to 40,000 or so.How hard do you guys think that'll be on guns?I shoot a Colt Trooper Mk3,which I understand is a pretty stout gun,but I'm still wondering what kind of long term effects they will have.Opinions please,-Mike

Questor · « **Reply #1 on:** November 03, 2004, 09:34:34 AM »

I don't think they've actually increased it. They probably changed the measurement technique to be from, say, copper crusher to peizoelectric or some such change.

ricciardelli · « **Reply #2 on:** November 03, 2004, 09:53:43 AM »

SAAMI has not changed specifications.

When the "Magnum" calibers first hit the market they were loaded to meet those specifications. then the ammo factories started to cripple those loads so that they could be used in inferior firearms.

The .44 Magnum, the .41 Magnum and the .357 Magnum today (in the general market) are nowhere near their parent cartridges in "oomph". However, with the +P and +P+ loadings, and thanks to us handloaders, these cartridges are once again in their rightful place.

Graybeard · « **Reply #3 on:** November 03, 2004, 11:14:10 AM »

Today's loads are actually weak sisters compared to the way the round was originally loaded. When I first started shooting it you could still buy 158 grain loads at 1550 fps. Today you can't find those anywhere and darn few if any reloading manuals give data for such. Yup, they're a bit tough on the trash guns for sure. But they are quite nice. I'm not above still loading a few of those using the Lyman 358156GC bullet loaded over old Elmer's load of 2400.

wideglide_1450 · « **Reply #4 on:** November 03, 2004, 11:45:59 AM »

OK,I checked the Hogdon website,and most of the boomer loads they're showing are around 40,000 CUP,some a shade more.The latest Winchester manual I have shows about the same.Now,most of the 3rd party manuals that I have (Lee,M McPherson's,etc.) show mostly 32,000 CUP loads,which for some reason I thought was about the SAAMI max pressure for most of the magnum pistol cartridges.Now,I'm certinly not trying to disrespect anyone here,but I think they might have gotten back to some of the original pressure limits for this round.

ricciardelli · « **Reply #5 on:** November 03, 2004, 01:30:56 PM »

SAAMI pressure for the 357 Magnum is 35,000 PSI. CUP pressures are generally lower, however, there is no direct conversion between the two.

wideglide_1450 · « **Reply #6 on:** November 04, 2004, 11:46:14 AM »

Thanks for weighing in guys.I loaded some up with 16 grs of Win 296 under 158 gr XTP's.Hopefully I can try them out this weekend.-Mike

ricciardelli · « **Reply #7 on:** November 04, 2004, 02:29:27 PM »

You should have no problem with that load, I have loaded 17.4 grains without a problem (in my Rugers), but it did get a little unmfortable to shoot in the little 2" carry guns I have... :lol: