I've only just started loading .357 magnum, after loading my first rounds ever in 38 special. I just purchased an 1873 model lever action Uberti, 20" barrel. I only have small pistol primers (Federal #100). Now I use two manuals, the Hornady Handbook 10th edition, and Lee Precision Reloading manual 2nd edition. For the bullets I have to use (140 FTX, 158 XTP, and 180 XTP) the Hornady manual's loads are based on using small pistol magnum primers according to the first page of 357 data. Lee's loading data is of course nearly identical, but only indicates "small pistol primers" on the main page. Both load data for each book is for rifle loads. My first concern of course, is safety. For powder, I have Hodgdon Titegroup and Winchester 296 to choose from. The Lee manual has load data for both Titegroup and 296 for 357 pistol, but only Titegroup data in the 357 rifle section. The Hornady manual only has data using 296 for those bullets, the only data it has using Titegroup is for lead bullets.
Does this mean that only loads using 296 need small pistol magnum primers, and any loads using Titegroup are fine with the regular small pistol primers?
Does this mean that only loads using 296 need small pistol magnum primers, and any loads using Titegroup are fine with the regular small pistol primers?
