Author Topic: .357 Mag powder suggestions (Read 562 times)

crackerjack · « **on:** October 28, 2005, 02:32:50 PM »

Recently acquired a 357 mag Marlin 1894 need suggestions for powder. I have H110, W296, AA5, AA7 on hand and willing to purchase other, I will be loading with 158g semi wadcutter (358156 GC Lyman) which is gas checked. Would like a hunting load with good velocity and accurate. I have plenty of manuals but seems to be wide variance on powders. Would appreciate the benefit of shooters experience.
Thanks in advance
Frank

Tycer · « **Reply #1 on:** October 28, 2005, 04:00:58 PM »

H110 and W296 and Alliant 2400 all work well with that bullet. I would suggest the Lyman book with the Lyman mould. I like the Lyman book best generally. The Marlin should be able to handle Contender loads if you need to juice em up some for accuracy. Marlins with the microgrove and cast bullets really do well with a well fit bullet. Do a slug and size a couple thou over land diameter.

Wanna have some fun? Buy a box of Cast Performance 180 WFN GC from Midway and a jug of Lil'Gun, join leverguns.com and watch your little lever really shoot some zippy accurate fun. Lil'Gun does well with the 358156 too, but it really shines with the heavier pills.

If the 358156 does not cast big enough bullets, you can "beagle" the mould.

Have fun with the new lever! WARNING! They're addictive.

Catfish · « **Reply #2 on:** October 29, 2005, 02:50:30 PM »

H-110 and Win. 296 are the same for all practical perpouses. I can buy Win. 296 cheaper so that is what I use. It give you the most velosity with the lowest presure and I`ve alway got good accuracy with it. If your looking for a good cheap plinking load get some .38 Sp. cases and load them with 158 gn. cast bullets and 2.5 to 3 gn. of Bullseye powder. Very accurate cheap to load and not as loud as the .357`s.

Graybeard · « **Reply #3 on:** October 29, 2005, 05:48:48 PM »

My personal favorite load with that bullet just happens to be my personal favorite for the caliber. It's a max (actually OVER max) charge of 2400. It's an old Elmer Keith load which I won't list here. Just use the book max load of 2400.

crackerjack · « **Reply #4 on:** October 30, 2005, 05:34:32 PM »

Thanks to all for replies, still working with it, W296 has been the most promising so far with the powders used. Got to pickup some 2400 to try. It is ballard type rifiling and seems to be breaking in and settling down some. Have been quite impressed with it after cleaning and lubing function is smooth and trigger is very nice for factory. Going to put XS sights on it tommorrow ,as my not so new eyes can't fully utilize the factory front sight .
Thanks Again
Frank

glock29 · « **Reply #5 on:** November 04, 2005, 04:31:35 AM »

I have used H110, WW296, 2400, and H4227 for loading the 357 for bullet wts from 110 to 200gr.
In my opinion the only powder you need for this cartridge (as well as 41 mag, 44 mag, and 454 Casull) is H110, PERIOD.
If you can find WW296 cheaper/easier, this is virtually equivalent to H110.
Just be sure to use the data for WW296 instead of H110 if you use this powder.
One word of warning: DO NOT REDUCE H110/WW296 load data more than 3% below max; it can AND WILL create squib loads that plug barrels.
Use of a HEAVY crimp is also essential for good ignition with any of the above listed propellants.

Ranger J · « **Reply #6 on:** November 05, 2005, 04:01:41 AM »

I am fond of Blue Dot and shoot it in both my pistol and my 1894C. Correction my wife shoots it in my 1894 and my daughter shoots it in my pistol. Gives me the excuse to think about buying new guns. Yes I occasionally load H110 and it gives me a few more feet per second but my cheap lee powder loader leaks small amounts of H110 because of tiny grain size. I know, get me a decent powder measure. What reasonably priced measure do you all use?
RJ