357 Magnum Pistol Vs Rifle Load Data

[Thepng]

Hello,

I’ve noticed that there is a lot less load data in 357 magnum for rifles compared to pistol data in the online Hodgdon manual. I definitely get that there might be more risk of sticking a bullet in the barrel with light loads, but this seems to be the case for heavier loads too.

For example, there are some pretty spicy loads using Lil’ Gun for pistol, but nothing for rifle. I know that is a controversial powder, but I have a bunch of it that I’d like to use up faster than I can go through it in my 22 hornet. It’s the same story for accurate #5 and many other ‘conventional’ powders.

Can anyone think of a reason that it would be a bad idea to use pistol data for rifle use in this case? The loads I’m interested in will definitely be stout enough to not worry about sticking a bullet…and I’m using jacketed bullets that shouldn’t have problems from additional velocity in a longer barrel. From the spot checks I’ve looked at where there is rifle and pistol loads with the same powder / bullets, it doesn’t appear that the pressure is significantly different. I’m kind of assuming it might just be that they haven’t tested as many loads in rifles.

 

[JEFFPPC]

Another thing you might need to consider before loading to hot. The strength of the cases.

 

[charlie b]

Rifles could be loaded hotter if the chambers are tight enough. A lot more chamber wall thickness in a rifle than a 6 shot revolver (especially with a bolt notch right over the chamber).

But, rifles and pistols tend to prefer different loads for best accuracy.

 

[Thepng]

Do t

Another thing you might need to consider before loading to hot. The strength of the cases.

Do you think if loads are under the max data in the manual for pistol loads, they would be significantly hotter in a rifle? I’m planning on staying with published loads, just in a rifle rather than out of a handgun. Definitely staying with published data otherwise.

 

[charlie b]

They won't be 'hotter' in pressure, but, the longer barrel will make more velocity with the same load used in a pistol.

Be careful to check the information on the published data. For example, the Hodgdon .357mag data used to be for a 10" barrel. Vel info not much useful for a 4" revolver, but, pressure data will be close enough.

 

[243winxb]

Can anyone think of a reason that it would be a bad idea to use pistol data for rifle use in this case?

No, the same pressure limits is set for the cartridge.
Shooting 38 special in a 357 rifle, starting loads may leave a 180 gr bullet in the barrel.
Very slow powder, like H110 Or H4227, when fired in a revolver will blow unburn powder out the muzzle. A longer rifle barrel will make use of the powder better.

Fast burn rate powders will be consumed in a rifle sooner, with a quicker rise in pressure. Resulting in lower velocity.

The 357 mag cartridge works under the same pressure limits. Pistol or rifle, does not matter. Data is interchangable. Velicity will be higher with some powders, in rifles. But not all powders.

 

[NZ_Fclass]

I had a Rossi single shot in 357, for a while. I used 38 sp cases - as 357 cases were more expensive - and I had lots and used a load - I think around 12.5g - of W296. with 125g bullets This was used for spotlighting possums - yeah, yeah a 22 would be fine too - but less fun. Also for feral goats on farmland. Often lost the brass , but obviously, no worries.

 

[Emmett Dibble]

I shoot/have shot a ton of 357 rifle (lever action silhouette). Slower magnum pistol powders work best for accuracy, Especially over a 50-100 shot string. 357 in a rifle tends to carbon up quickly in the first 1/4 of the barrel. HS6, H110/296, 2400 tend to work the best with accuracy in 20-24” barrels, have never really had much luck with accuracy out of 4227. Brass will grow from the base so make sure and use your brass in lots, when you start seeing a problem throw the lot away. 158/180gr flat nose bullets tend to give better accuracy then hollow point of the same weight. I think it has something to do with the center of gravity but have noticed it over several rifles with several brands of bullets.

 

[JEFFPPC]

Do t

Do you think if loads are under the max data in the manual for pistol loads, they would be significantly hotter in a rifle? I’m planning on staying with published loads, just in a rifle rather than out of a handgun. Definitely staying with published data otherwise.

No putting a given load in a rifle does not make it hotter but there might be a temptation to load hotter just because it's in a rifle. This was my point. While on the subject I had a call from my brother in law in Michigan. He has always been a little skeptical about the 357 for deer although he has had good success with his 44. The Mich bucks on average a little bigger in the body then ours. I have been telling him how the 357 has been fine for me. This morning he shot a 5 point at 80 yards with his Ruger 357 topped with a red dot. 158 gr American Eagle soft point. At the shot it mule kicked and fell dead at 20 yds. No need to hot rod. Have fun.

 

[dellet]

Hello,

I’ve noticed that there is a lot less load data in 357 magnum for rifles compared to pistol data in the online Hodgdon manual. I definitely get that there might be more risk of sticking a bullet in the barrel with light loads, but this seems to be the case for heavier loads too.

For example, there are some pretty spicy loads using Lil’ Gun for pistol, but nothing for rifle. I know that is a controversial powder, but I have a bunch of it that I’d like to use up faster than I can go through it in my 22 hornet. It’s the same story for accurate #5 and many other ‘conventional’ powders.

Can anyone think of a reason that it would be a bad idea to use pistol data for rifle use in this case? The loads I’m interested in will definitely be stout enough to not worry about sticking a bullet…and I’m using jacketed bullets that shouldn’t have problems from additional velocity in a longer barrel. From the spot checks I’ve looked at where there is rifle and pistol loads with the same powder / bullets, it doesn’t appear that the pressure is significantly different. I’m kind of assuming it might just be that they haven’t tested as many loads in rifles.

Try a different manual.
Sierra would be a good start. Their rifle data more or less mirrors their pistol data and you can see the velocity difference between a 6” and 18” barrel. If you plug those velocities into a ballistic calculator what you find is that an 18” rifle will have the muzzle velocity of a 6” pistol at about 75 yards. Example a 158 grain is 1500 fps at the muzzle of a pistol vs 70 yards from a rifle. This why consulting multiple sources is a must.

https://sierrabullets.com/content/load-data/handgun/357/357-remington-magnum.pdf

https://sierrabullets.com/content/load-data/rifle/357-358/357-magnum-(rifle).pdf

 

[K22]

My reason and attraction for purchasing a Marlin 357 Magnum rifle back in the day was to replicate the 44-40 concept in the old West of having one cartridge that would work in both a rifle and revolver. This just appealed to me.

With that said, I found the best combo for both firearms was bullet weights between 140 and 158 with 2400 powder.

There are some precautions, however. Use only flat nose bullet in the tubular magazine of the rifle. If you are using jacketed bullets, do not use low velocity / power loads since the jacket could shred in the longer barrel of the rifle.

PS: One the biggest regrets, of many, I have is trading away that rifle.

 

[DGP4]

There is no reason to worry about firing .357/38 SPL pistol loads in a rifle. I have shot many thousands through my lever guns including 24" barrels. I have never had a squib, even with mild .38 SPL loads. I would avoid the lightest loads used for Bullseye competition with wadcutters, but other than that, you are good to go!

 

[JEFFPPC]

Second on 2400 powder.