Low power .357 load suggestions.

[thumbs]

I am trying to simplify reloading for my sp101. Rather than loading .38sp and .357 loads I figure I'll just load low power .357. Carry ammo I'll buy but I want to reload for practice. Can anyone suggest a load? I have looked in the Lee Modern Reloading book but was interested in what seems to shoot accurately for you guys. Also what bullets are you using? For my other loads I have been using Berry's bullets. What bullets do you guys like?

thanks

 

[StanMemTn]

Penn Bullets 158 grain TCBB (truncated cone, bevel base)
over 4.8 Hodgdon's Universal
ignited by Winchester Small Pistol (WSP) primers
in Winchester .357 magnum brass works for me (and my NM Blackhawk).

Good luck!

-Stephen

*edited to add that 4.5 grains of Universal was a good load too.

 

[Jimbo357mag]

For an economical and good shooting practice load that is pretty mild I can recommend 5.0gr of HP-38 in a 357mag case with any 158gr bullet. I use Rainier copper plated bullets. 8) 8)

...Jimbo

 

[WESHOOT2]

Penn Bullets 158 grain TCBB (truncated cone, bevel base)
over 4.8 Hodgdon's Universal
ignited by Winchester Small Pistol (WSP) primers
in Winchester .357 magnum brass works for me.....

Can also use the 158g LRN.
Can go a bit in either direction charge-wise.
Can use CCI500 or Federal 100, too, in other case brands.

Universal acts much like Unique ballistically, without its metering difficulties or filth.

 

[Rclark]

5g of Trail Boss. 125g bullet (lead or plated). Standard primers. I like the lead bullets, but I load plated bullets for my dad. Both types shoot well.

What I use :

http://www.rimrockbullets.net/catalog/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=1&products_id=5

 

[Chief 101]

5g of Trail Boss. 125g bullet (lead or plated). Standard primers. I like the lead bullets, but I load plated bullets for my dad. Both types shoot well.

What I use :

http://www.rimrockbullets.net/catalog/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=1&products_id=5

I like this bullet with 3.5 gr HP 38 or 3.5 gr W231.
Chief aka Minimum Load

 

[buck460XVR]

My go to plinkin' load in .357 is a 158gr bulk JHP over 7.5 gr of Unique sparked by a SP primer. Soft shooting and accurate in my 5'' and 5'' 686s. It's also fast enough it won't get stuck in the barrel of my 20'' carbine. Since it's at the lower edge of jacketed bullet loads, it will also work well for Berry's plated 158s.

 

[Lee Martin]

5.0 of Green Dot under a 158 cast. It's faster than Unique and will give good velocity out of a short tube. Burns clean too.