Can I safely reload for .357 magnum?????

[rabristol]

In my reloading book it recommends not to reload .357. Why? I would be reloading for a Timberwolf .357 carbine rifle.

[PaulS]

In my reloading book it recommends not to reload .357. Why? I would be reloading for a Timberwolf .357 carbine rifle.

rabristol,

What reloading book says not to reload 357 magnum?
I have been doing that for the last 35 years and it is one of the easiest cartridges to load. In your carbine I would suggest 158 grain or 140 grain bullets loaded to an OAL of 1.59 inches. The best velocities in both my carbines and revolvers has been with Hodgdon H110. For lower velocity loads than you can get with that powder there is Hodgdon HS6 which will drop the velocity down 200 to 400 fps based on how close to maximum you get The minimum listed loads offer about 400 fps difference and the maximum loads offer a 200 fps difference (at similar pressures). I would load close to makimum presures using H110 say within 1 grain of maximum and closer to 1/2 grain down from maximum but as always work your load up from the minimum listed watching for accuracy and never exceed the maximum loads listed in the manuals.

[Gary in NH]

I have never heard of a book that says not to reload 357mag. I have been doing so for many years. It is also one of the easiest to load for, every bullet manufacture has loads developed for this round. For powders I have found that W-296 works great for me. The only reason I can think of for not reloading is that many gunshops that reload bulk ammo do reload 357mag and you can buy a box of 50 for $4 around here. Go ahead and reload, it is fun, easy, safe when instructions are followed, and can give you something related to shooting to do when the weather doesn't cooperate.

[Questor]

Time for a new book. 357 magnum is one of the most widely reloaded cartridges.

[skb2706]

Must have lost some of the context from your book........as long as the gun is in working order you can load for almost anything that launches a bullet. I could not imagine shooting a .357 mag very much without loading for it. ...........whats a box of ammo for that bad boy cost you $25

[huntswithdogs]

Now,Ive seen owners manuals that say you shouldn't shoot reloads because it could void your warranty. All of my reloading manuals and any that I pored over at various stores or libraries all have loads listed for 357s.
What manual are you using? Edition?

HWD

[Jim 44-40]

He must be talking about shooting cast bullets at high speed,and leading the barrel bad. It does say that in some books.

[rabristol]

Sorry,

It was the owners manual not a reloading manual.

[DWARREN123]

Should be no problem except for voiding the warranty. Also be aware that there are 357mag reloads, Ruger/single shot 357mag reloads in some manuals.

[myronman3]

owner's manuel.  yeah, big difference there.    

  everyone and their brother shoots reloads through their guns.   but if there is ever a problem use the following qoute "i have never shot ANYTHING in it but factory ammo"  
  that being said,  reloading is serious stuff. i am assumming you ar just starting out with it.   have fun, but heed the warnings.  it is a great hobby.

[skb2706]

The current issue of Handloader Mag has a significant amount of loading info. dedicated to the .357 mag.
One of my favorite little blurbs about TC Contenders was that although they had at times over the years chambered their barrels in calibers that were either obsolete or difficult to locate ammo, they maintained that shooting handloaded ammo violated the warranty. Silly bastages........