357 Magnum Reloading

[Ram]

I loaded 158XTP using the starting load AA9 from the powder manufacturers load data, and when I went to the range the rounds were even louder than usual and a very sharp recoil. I stopped using after six rounds to make sure a mistake was not made on the charge. The primers looked fine and after pulling a few, the powder charge was confirmed to be per the load data.

However, consulting the Hornady load manual, the starting charge from Western Powders is 0.9 grains above the maximum charge in the Hornady manual.

Which company performs more rigorous testing to determine pressures, and should the powder manufacture's data be safe for my GP100?

 

[SSL]

In my experience, Western/Accurate listed loads are less conservative than most other manuals. I don't have much experience with their pistol powders, but the rifle powder data is usually very close with the load versus velocity figures but maximum loads can be a little warm. Many times I see pressure signs before maximum is reached. Hodgdon tends to be somewhat more conservative. It is not unusual to see differences between various manuals since each uses different methods/equipment for testing their loads. If the loads are not sticking in the chamber and the primers are not flattening, they are probably safe.

 

[Rsadams]

I have seen crazy hot data off factory powder bottles... Get you data from a loading manual.... Start low and work up as usual... A few years ago I stopped a friend from using bottle data when he just started reloading , good thing I did it would have been dangerous in my opinion because alot smaller charge of the same powder was at factory speeds across my cronograph...

The new Sierra manual has dropped their data WAY down on some loads from their previous manual.... Of course we all know that the manual is only reference and you may be hotter than stated max if need be depending on were your at and your barrel etc... Some manuals are way way hotter than others , why I think you can't have to many of them for data.... I normally start in the middle but one time in one rifle the middle was factory speed , I can't imagine how fast they would be at the max charge listed...

 

[JEFFPPC]

I loaded 158XTP using the starting load AA9 from the powder manufacturers load data, and when I went to the range the rounds were even louder than usual and a very sharp recoil. I stopped using after six rounds to make sure a mistake was not made on the charge. The primers looked fine and after pulling a few, the powder charge was confirmed to be per the load data.

However, consulting the Hornady load manual, the starting charge from Western Powders is 0.9 grains above the maximum charge in the Hornady manual.

Which company performs more rigorous testing to determine pressures, and should the powder manufacture's data be safe for my GP100?

I loaded 158XTP using the starting load AA9 from the powder manufacturers load data, and when I went to the range the rounds were even louder than usual and a very sharp recoil. I stopped using after six rounds to make sure a mistake was not made on the charge. The primers looked fine and after pulling a few, the powder charge was confirmed to be per the load data.

However, consulting the Hornady load manual, the starting charge from Western Powders is 0.9 grains above the maximum charge in the Hornady manual.

Which company performs more rigorous testing to determine pressures, and should the powder manufacture's data be safe for my GP100?

I have shot thousands of.357 rounds , many of them in competition. My only requirement was accuracy. Only one answer, yes it's dirty, 2400.

 

[rwh]

+1 for 2400, although a hot load of 2400 behind a 125 gr bullet throws a lot of flame out the front. I like it much better with the 158 gr bullets

 

[biggun2869]

I always used 140 grain XTP over 15.3 grains on 2400. I first came up with this load in a 4" GP 100. It's a little on the warm side but they really shoot. I landed on the 140 grain bullet per Masaud Ayoub. Way back when, he deemed the 140's the best in that cal. That may be over book but it wasn't in the '70s-'80s

 

[stork]

tagged

 

[PopCharlie]

Ive always used w296 or 2400 for jacketed bullets in my .357. S&W 686, 6 shot, 6 inch
125 gr. XTP or 140 gr. XTP. Unique for lead semi-wadcutters. I've shot in club pin shooting competition with a 140 gr XTP load. Very effective at toppling the pins, but blew the hell out of them. The guy who brought the pins asked me not to shoot that load in competition again.

 

[K22]

Another vote for 2400 with 158 grain bullets.

 

[Longtrain]

+1 for 158 grainers with 2400; like Win 296 powder, a good crimp is also helpful. With light bullets, if you don’t hit your target, you might set them on fire with the muzzle flash. Try one at dusk....

 

[Metal God]

If there’s only one charge in the data that means that’s the max charge and you must reduce a minimum of 10% and with pistol cartridges maybe 15% . You see single charges on the powder bottles and Alliant only gives max charges on there website. I’m not sure how Accurate does it I’ve never used there powder.

 

[SPQR70AD]

I have seen crazy hot data off factory powder bottles... Get you data from a loading manual.... Start low and work up as usual... A few years ago I stopped a friend from using bottle data when he just started reloading , good thing I did it would have been dangerous in my opinion because alot smaller charge of the same powder was at factory speeds across my cronograph...

The new Sierra manual has dropped their data WAY down on some loads from their previous manual.... Of course we all know that the manual is only reference and you may be hotter than stated max if need be depending on were your at and your barrel etc... Some manuals are way way hotter than others , why I think you can't have to many of them for data.... I normally start in the middle but one time in one rifle the middle was factory speed , I can't imagine how fast they would be at the max charge listed...

when S&W wanted to develop a hotter 38 load for cops they used the beefed up 38/44 model and with 38 special cases they got 1515 fps with 158 gr bullet. knowing it would destroy 38 revolvers the added a 1/4 inch to the case. you rarely see that speed for 158 gr bullets in even stronger guns today

 

[JSH]

I loaded 158XTP using the starting load AA9 from the powder manufacturers load data, and when I went to the range the rounds were even louder than usual and a very sharp recoil. I stopped using after six rounds to make sure a mistake was not made on the charge. The primers looked fine and after pulling a few, the powder charge was confirmed to be per the load data.

You make no mention of what your load or ammo was prior to this load. I can associate noise and recoil with magnum.

However, consulting the Hornady load manual, the starting charge from Western Powders is 0.9 grains above the maximum charge in the Hornady manual.

This has been addressed time and again. You will seldom see bullet and powder manufactures with identical data. Why, because they are all using different platforms when doing there testing.
I have no idea how the “bottle data” got involved from your post

Which company performs more rigorous testing to determine pressures, and should the powder manufacture's data be safe for my GP100?

Ruger does.
If you can tear up a GP100, with in reason, let me know. I have a 6” that has been tortured with heavy loads. It is still “tight as a tick”. I and a buddy shot lots of 170 grain loads using H110/296, let me know how long it takes you to burn up an 8lb’r.

Others do as they will, I am not a fan of shooting 38Special in a 357. Yeah yeah, everyone’s uncle and grandpa did,Why?Load the 357 cases down. Look at 38+P loads then cross that to 357 data. I am sure you can come to a decision there.

 

[Lightload]

Used to load a lot of 357mags. Win 296 powder and 158 grain jacketed bullets. Magnum primers AND the load was specified! There was no minimum or max, just the specified load. Best part about it was that it gave higher velocities at lower pressures. Sorta magic like. Won a lot of pistol silhouette matches with that load.

 

[JEFFPPC]

+1 for 2400, although a hot load of 2400 behind a 115 gr bullet throws a lot of flame out the front. I like it much better with the 158 gr bullets

Yep, one shot, kill it/cook it. Multi-tasking at its finest.

 

[Kevin Taylor]

Long ago before I figured out I don’t like drunk and Stupid, I was a sheriff deputy. My duty weapon was a Python. I practiced and practiced. Loaded a 2400/125 grain bullet. Always had “corn meal” all over my arms when done shooting! But it shot great.

 

[Metal God]

Long ago before I figured out I don’t like drunk and Stupid, I was a sheriff deputy. My duty weapon was a Python. I practiced and practiced. Loaded a 2400/125 grain bullet. Always had “corn meal” all over my arms when done shooting! But it shot great.

Yeah I just worked up a load using 2400 and 125gr XTP's . I had to get almost all the way to max charges before there wasn't unburned powder being dumped on the bench along with the spent cases . I'm sure they were screaming down range but I think 2400 is to slow a powder ( to be optimal ) for the lighter 357mag bullets .

 

[Longtrain]

Used to load 2400 with Sierra 140 JHP bullets in my 357, used it for deer hunting out of a marlin 357 rifle, shot very well. But with 4” 357 pistols 2400 always had muzzle blast regardless of the bullet weight, lighter weights were worse of course. Mainly in those Unique behind a 125 grain bullet made more sense ballistically IMO.

 

[jepp2]

If there’s only one charge in the data that means that’s the max charge and you must reduce a minimum of 10% and with pistol cartridges maybe 15% .

While this may be OK for most handgun loads, it isn't suggested for all. H110 used to have a warning to not reduce the max charge more than 3%, that warning is no longer valid. However looking at current load data from Hodgdon on a 44 Rem mag with a 240 gr bullet shows the starting load at 23 gr and the max load at 24 gr.

Which company performs more rigorous testing to determine pressures, and should the powder manufacture's data be safe for my GP100?

It isn't really a matter of which company performs more rigorous testing, it is more a combination of factors as they developed the load data such as: powder lot used, test conditions, testing firearm, etc.

To be safe it is best to consult multiple load sources and decide what your starting load should be. And as you work up toward max load monitor for excess pressure.

 

[farmerjohn]

While this may be OK for most handgun loads, it isn't suggested for all. H110 used to have a warning to not reduce the max charge more than 3%, that warning is no longer valid. However looking at current load data from Hodgdon on a 44 Rem mag with a 240 gr bullet shows the starting load at 23 gr and the max load at 24 gr.


It isn't really a matter of which company performs more rigorous testing, it is more a combination of factors as they developed the load data such as: powder lot used, test conditions, testing firearm, etc.

To be safe it is best to consult multiple load sources and decide what your starting load should be. And as you work up toward max load monitor for excess pressure.

Always consult MULTIPLE load sources, after 60 plus years of experience reading different recipes in different "cook books" I have found several misprints and typos can be damn dangerous in fast burning handgun loads. Not so bad these days but the older journals were not proof read close enough, always check several different sources....
John