.357 Mag/.38 spec powder suggestions

[packratt]

Any suggestions for a good EFFICIENT powder/load for .357 mag and .38 spec?

Bullet will be 125gr XTP or other HP.

I'm looking for something that will provide good accuracy and power while not turning a 4" stainless pistol black with unburned powder.
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[918v]

Re: .357 Mag/.38 spec powder suggestions

Unique.

 

[Winchester 69]

Re: .357 Mag/.38 spec powder suggestions

Hodgdon's Universal Clays is very clean and a near twin to Unique. Alliant's Power Pistol is also very good, maybe a tad slower than the other two.

 

[Kinsman]

Re: .357 Mag/.38 spec powder suggestions

Unique will turn your entire gun black. Very dirty powder...

I use H110 for 357 with 168 gr JHP
Very clean...
18 gr H110 is a hot load, and I use it in a Colt Trooper 4"
and in Marlin rifle.
2200 fps from the Marlin.

 

[pvfd304]

Re: .357 Mag/.38 spec powder suggestions

H110 for 357
Unique for 38.

 

[JGrelle]

Re: .357 Mag/.38 spec powder suggestions

For short barrel loads, try some VV-N340 or VV-N350, very clean & low flash from short barrels. H110 is great in a longer barrel, but will produce a very large fireball from a short barrel gun.

 

[918v]

Re: .357 Mag/.38 spec powder suggestions

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Kinsman</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Unique will turn your entire gun black. Very dirty powder...
</div></div>

You are wrong. It is not a dirty powder since they changed it.

 

[TOP PREDATOR]

Re: .357 Mag/.38 spec powder suggestions

using H-110 in .38, .357, .44 mag.

<span style="font-weight: bold">.357 6" barrel 125 jhp moly, h-110 1.59 OAL</span>

17.5 grains, 1329fps, 15yd group -2"
18.5 grains, 1372fps, 15yd group -.75"
19.5 grains, 1410fps, 15yd group 1.75"

umc 125 gr factory loads= 1445 fps and 2" group at 15yards
did testing from 17 gr. to 20 (max), 18.5 was the accurate load, now using 158's for every thing as they group well from 15yards to 100. the 125's did stay at a zero at 25yds, 2" drop with a 4" group at 50, at 100 groups were erratic. used different oals, settled on 1.59 for all.

158 jhp were more accurate for me at 15, 25, 50, and 100

<span style="font-weight: bold">.357 6" barrel, 140 gr jhp moly, h-110 1.59 oal</span>

18 grains, 1456 fps, 15 yard group -1.25"
18.5 grains, 1490 fps, 15 yard group -1.25"
19 grains, 1537 fps, 15 yard group -1.25"

the best three loads, virtually tied in accuraccy, 50 yard group 4", 100 yard group 5.5"

<span style="font-weight: bold">.357 6" barrel, 158 gr jhp moly, h-110 1.59 oal</span>

15.5 grains, 1329 fps, 15 yard group 1.25"
16 grains, 1340 fps, 15 yard group -.75" (all touching or within each other)
16.5 grains, 1368 fps, 15 yard group -1"
17 grains, 1393 fps, 15 yard group -1"
17.5 grains, 1415 fps, 15 yard group 1.25"

american eagle factory loads= 1337 fps 1" groups at 15 yds
found 16 gr. of h-110 to be the most accurate and controllable for rapid fire or bench with better contorl, staying virtually zeroed at 25 and 50 yards.
50 yard group -2", 100 yard group -3". 8" drop at 100 yards.

<span style="font-weight: bold">.357 4" barrel 158 gr jhp moly, 1.59 oal</span>

16.5 grains, 1182 fps, 15 yard group -1.75"
17 grains, 1212 fps, 15 yard group -1.75"
17.5 grains, 1220 fps, 15 yard group -1.75"

appears on the white sheet in front of me and on the crony, that anything past 17 grains is only burning the powder outside the barrel and no substaintial gains going hotter.

was using blue dot a little in .38 spec. .357 mag, hell of a muzzle flash and residue.

winch. 231 seems to work well also in the .38, but to make life simplier using the h-110 in all straight walled cartridges.