Need to tame my 357.

[MH WASH]

First let me state that I would rather shoot max loads out of my 44 mag or 41 mag that that 357. The muzzle blast is just terrible.I currently have a Ruger sexurity six with a 4 inch barrel. But I had the same problem with a 6.5 inch blackhawk. I've tried both 158 and 125 grain bullets, all loaded with 296. Is 2400 possibly a little less fierce?

 Matt

[Mikey]

Matt:  the short barrels and lightweight bullets give you heavy muzzle blast, even with the longer bbl.  I've shot the 200 grain cast SWCs from Colorado Bullet over a max load of 12.4 grains of 296.  The factory specs are 1335'/sec, although they may be a bit slower from a shorter bbl, but only 35K psi, and they recoil less than the 158s, which from the Winchester factory rate higher pressures.  My 357 is a 3.5 inch Model 27 (N Frame) and it handles those rounds without a hitch.  If you are using 296 powder, try a handful of those heavies in 200 grains and you just might reduce your muzzle flash.  HTH.  Mikey.

[Blackhawk44]

MH WASH, you are definitly right.  Particularly in the 357, 2400 will, for all practical purposes, equal 110/296 with less flash and blast.  You will need to check the manuals on the 200gr, but 14.5gr of 2400 with 158's has been a standard for many years.  PS-standard primers with 2400, much more accurate.

[Duffy]

Matt;
AA #9 works pretty good also but needs a good crimp and heavy bullets to work well also. Magnum primers help but H110/296 is terrible with anything lighter than 148's in the 357 with a short bbl unless you need to start a stubble fire!

Ryan

[Gregory]

Try 7.5 gr Unique with a 158 gr lead bullet.

[kciH]

AA#7 or 2400 are much more pleasant to shoot in the .357 than WW296/H110.  I've been doing a bit of work with Lil'Gun lately but it hasn't worked it's way down to the .357 as of yet.  180gr LBT style, or Remington 180gr JHP available in bulk, are the some of the best shooting bullets in the 357 for my purposes.

[Dand]

I agree 357s can be piercing - PLEASE USE good hearing protectors.

That said, what are you trying to do  with your 357 loads? If you need full power you will have to bear quite a bit of blast no matter what powder & bullet.  But if you want intermediate loads go with Gregory's 7.5 Unique.  I just popped off about 30 rounds of 7.5 Unique with 140 gr Horn Hps in my SP 101 - pretty pleasant, controllable, yet still potent.  I've gone to 140 gr bullets at intermediate velocity for my all purpose plinking and defense load - UNLESS I feel I really need serious power.  Then I go with factory full power 158 jacketed or Win Silver tip 145 gr. Actually for concealed carry in my 101 I often use 38 +P or +P+ loads- mainly because the 38 cases clear the cylinder better.  I also use all these same loads in my 4" Security 6.

[MH WASH]

Thanks for the reply fellas. I mostly use my 357 for plinking, but dont get much enjoyment from the 38 special loads. I think for now I will try the 2400 with the 180 or heavier class bullets.


 Matt

[Bullseye]

I dislike the flash and blast with 296 also.  I use IMR 4227 in mine and my 44 and 41 Mags.  Little less velocity but much more enjoyable to shoot.

[securitysix]

Consider Hogdon's Lil' Gun and Ramshot's Enforcer for .357 Mag loads as well.  I've shot both with 158 gr. JHPs out of a 6" GP-100 and the same Lil' Gun load (16.5 gr., IIRC, should be a min. load, but double check that) from a 6" Security-Six with Pachmayrs.  Not too bad.  A little stiffer recoil from the Security-Six, but my GP is a KGP-161 (6" full lug), so that makes a difference.  

I've never shot either through a 4" gun, but I really dislike WW296/H110 out of a 6" gun anyway.

[MH WASH]

I have tried Lil'Gun in both the 41 and 44, and cant say that I like it. It almost seemed to have a little more blast than 296.

 Matt