Recommended 357 Mag load?

[Mauser]

I'm new to loading for a 357 Magnum and am looking for a good all-purpose (though mainly defensive and some hunting small game) load for my DA revolver which has a 4" barrel.  I'm looking for a hotter load as I already have found a "plinker" 38 Special load I like.  

What do you suggest for bullets, powders, and primers?  Thanks in advance.

[Jerry Lester]

140g XTP-HP, with a maximum load of either 296, H-110, or AA-9, using CCI-550 primers.

This should be accurate, and take care of just about anything except deer sized critters. It'll be quite a bit destructive though on small game.

[glock29]

Use Hodgdons data for a MAX load of H110 with a Hornady 125gr XTP-HP or FP with a CCI small pistol MAGNUM primer.
According to the latest Hodgdon data, the max charge is 22.0gr of H110.
According to Hodgdon, H110 should not be reduced more than 3% below a max load due to a possibility of a "squib" load with this propellant.
Make sure that you use a HEAVY crimp into the bullet cannelure when loading.
I have used this load as my 'standard' .357 Magnum load for the past 14 yrs. for 90% of all my 357magnum loads.
Hodgdon quotes 1966fps with this load, but this is out of an unrealistic 10" barrel. Expect around 1600fps out of a 4"barrel and around 1700fps out of a 6"barrel. This load has a LOT more power than "factory" 125gr 357 Mag loads, but it also has a LOT of muzzle flash.