Reloading The .357 Magnum

Left to right:– 160 gr. SWC+GC, 160 gr. JSP, .357 with JHP, .357 with JSP. 357 Armour Piercing(no longer legal or available), 160 gr. JHP, 125 gr. JHP

(WC= WadCutter, SWC= Semi-WadCutter, HP= Hollow Point, RN= Round Nose), SP=Soft Point, (JHP= Jacketed Hollow Point and if GC indicated, means Gas Check at bottom of lead bullet)

Loads for .357 Magnum:

(Note: These are near maximum loads, you should use 10% less to start.)(2009 Note: Some of these loads are from 1996 and in the passing years the powder companies have reduced their maximum loads particularly ones that have been around a long time like Unique. The loads are not updated yearly.)

(See note on Powders below or read all about various
Powders.)

Bullets are .357″ for jacketed and .358″ for lead in diameter. Due to different barrel lengths, type of bullet, seating depth, primer type and other factors, you may not get near the FPS charted. It is just a guide and the reason you should start under these charges and work up.

(There are some loads for a 90 gr. cast, but bullet is unstable and not
recommended)

(you can try 3.3 gr. Clays OR 5.0 gr. of TrailBoss)

(Note H110 & W296 are the same as of 2008 as is HP-38 & W231)

(IMR 4227 is same as H-4227 if made in Australia)

110 grain JHP (Jacketed Hollow Point)

125 grain Lead RNFP (.358″)

125 grain JHP or JSP (Jacketed Hollow or Soft Point)

* use magnum primers (standard is OK)

135 grain LRNFP (lead)

135 grain Speer Gold Dot HP

140 grain JHP or JSP (Jacketed Hollow or Soft Point)

146-148 grain LWC (Lead Wad Cutter)

(bullets seated deeper = higher pressures) (I don’t recommend lead at over 900
FPS) (unless at least using a Gas Check) (with pure lead wadcutters, do not
use hot loads)

158 grain LSWC or LRN (Semi-Wad Cutter or Round Nose)

158-160 grain JHP or JSP (Jacketed Hollow or Soft Point)

180 grain JFP (Jacketed Flat Point)

180 grain Lead + Gas Check

187 grain Lead FN + Gas Check

200 grain LEAD (SWC or RN)

* use magnum primers

Discussion: Universal and Unique are good for lighter bullets, but if you want
a slower burning powder, I suggest H-4227, Lil’Gun, W-296,2400, HS6 or No. 7.
Several of these can also be used in rifle cartridges, so it’s good to have
for the magnum pistol loads and for rifle. I prefer the Unique or Universal as
all purpose, and I also use them for .38 special, just less of it. If you have
a lightweight .357 or older gun, you may want to start with 13% less than
amounts listed above (but not where it says “start” load), and work up to the
full loads. – – – Below, are three loaded rounds. The armor piercing round was
bought commercially (in the 70’s). It has a steel core and will pierce an
engine block.

For any loads over 900 FPS, I suggest using a jacketed bullet. Jacketed bullets create a bit more wear on the bore, but it’s better than trying to wire brush out a bunch of lead build up. At the VERY least, use a copper Gas Check lead bullet or a copper plated bullet. There is also the issue of lead vapor to breathe if on an indoor range. Full copper plated bullets are a good idea for .357 loads instead of plain lead. Just depends on what kinds of loads you plan to shoot.

* Bullseye, Unique and 2400 are products of Alliant (formerly Hercules) Powders. Clays, Universal, HP38, HS6 and H4895 are products of Hodgdon Powders. IMR TrailBoss are products of IMR (formerly DuPont) Powder Company.
No. 2, No. 5, No. 7, #2230, and #2460 are products of Accurate Arms Company WMR, 760, 748, 231, 296 and 540 are products of Winchester, Components Div.
Note: Hodgdon as of 2009 controls IMR and Winchester Powders.

References: 2009 Hodgdon Website .357 Magnum loads Accurate Arms Co. 1996
Reloading booklet – – Alliant Powder Co. Reloaders’ Guide (1995) – – Hodgdon’s
Basic Reloaders Manual (1996) – – Speer Reloading Manual, #12 – – Winchester
Reloading Components Manual, 14th edition – – Lyman Piston & Revolver
Reloading Handbook, 2nd edition. – – VihtaVuori Oy Company, reloading booklet
(1995) – – Numerous magazine articles on reloading special calibers and
personal loads where noted.