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Posted: 4/4/2017 5:07:29 AM EDT
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I'm doing some advanced research as we'll be reloading our first .357 magnum sometime in the future. Up until now we've only reloaded 9mm and .45 Colt so I still consider myself a reloading newbie and the reloading manuals don't have separate info for short barrels (or at least the ones we have don't). I have a couple questions.
Question #1: Both of our .357's are Ruger GP100's with 3" barrels. I've tried different factory ammo in them but didn't have a chrono at the time so I don't know what kind of velocities we were getting. I decided to go with a lighter bullet because it seemed like we didn't have the barrel length to push heavy bullets at healthy magnum levels. We bought a box of Xtreme 125 grain FP (approx 18 Brinell hardness) but haven't settled on a powder. We have Universal and Power Pistol on hand and I was hoping PP would do the job but I'm open to suggestions for something that would work better. Ideally I'm looking for a powder that will give me the maximum velocity out of our 3" barrels. What say ye? Question #2: I've read a lot of conflicting information on the best crimp to use for .357 magnum so I'm looking to clear that up. Is there a standard crimp for .357 magnum or does it depend on velocity or other factors? What is recommended in this case? |
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You don't state the intended use for the reloads (target practice, self defense, plinking,...).
Light bullets give noticeably lower recoil and are more pleasant to shoot in my 4" revolver. However, the shorter the barrel, the less likely they are to perform the way a 357 "should". I use W296 for full power loads. For these full power loads, I use only jacketed bullets in both 125 and 158 gr. I use W231 for my lighter loads (<~1000 fps). I use waxed lead bullets for these lighter loads. Picking a powder - Long barrels = slower powders: I use W296 and magnum primers are mandatory. Short barrels = faster powders: I use W231 and still use magnum primers (but you could probably use regular primers with W231) Beyond that, you have to do load development and chronograph your loads to know for sure where you are at and which offers superior velocity, superior bullet momentum and energy. |
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Everything Dryflash said!
I load for 4" GP100, sweet pistol that does best for me with full power 158gr-180gr bullets. Accurate #9 has done very well, followed closely by H110/W296. Magnum primer for both powders, heavy roll crimp only. Plated bullets are absolutely horrible at true magnum velocities, learned that the hard way. |
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Quoted:
My short barrel 357 is a SP 101 with a 2 1/2 barrel. I use the same loads I use in my 4 inch GP 100. With the lighter SP 101 the 125's are more comfortable to shoot than the 158's. Plated bullets are my last choice in 357 as I like a firm roll crimp on my 357's. http://i250.photobucket.com/albums/gg272/dryflash3/Powder%20Coat/P1011001_zpserft9jmi.jpg But I cast and powder coat my own bullets. Plated bullets should not be used in full loads due to the light crimp they need. Heavy to normal crimp will break through the plating and you will get leading. Remember this is a Technical Forum where we deal with a lot of similar but different components. By PP do you mean Power Pistol? http://i250.photobucket.com/albums/gg272/dryflash3/Ammo/P7280176.jpg Except for the wadcutter, this is what a firm roll crimp looks like. I always seat bullet and crimp in separate dies. My advice if you want full loads is to buy jacketed bullets, use H-110, magnum primer, and a firm roll crimp. Light loads like plated bullets True Blue (ball) powder. Recoil isn't an issue for us and we don't shoot these that often anyway. So a nice firm roll cramp is the answer, which is what I suspected but I wanted to be absolutely sure before loading any. Much thanks!! |
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