Hi guys,

I'm reloading .357 magnum cases, and was wondering if anyone has come close to getting the feel of a  .357 magnum factory round?

Here's what I'm working with.  Hodgdon Titegroup powder, 158 grain round nose flat point jacketed bullet heads from Xtreme Bullets, and Federal magnum small pistol primers. 

I've loaded 4.5 grains of powder and those test fired successfully, but doesn't have the feel of a .357 magnum.  I've looked on the Hodgdon site for load data, looked through some threads on 2a, and even some forums.  If anyone has any load data that they are willing to share, it would be much appreciated.

Classic 357 mag ammo is a 158 gr. Jhp loaded with a slow burning powder like hogdon h110 or win 296.
Charge weight would be approx. 16.5 gr.
You can download a free PDF file from hogdon with lots of info like this.

+1 on using a slower burning powder.

I use Win 296, but I load it much lighter (17.5gr) than their (Winchester's) starting load data of 21.0gr which flattened the primer.

Hi guys,

I'm reloading .357 magnum cases, and was wondering if anyone has come close to getting the feel of a  .357 magnum factory round?

Here's what I'm working with.  Hodgdon Titegroup powder, 158 grain round nose flat point jacketed bullet heads from Xtreme Bullets, and Federal magnum small pistol primers. 
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I've loaded 4.5 grains of powder and those test fired successfully, but doesn't have the feel of a .357 magnum.  I've looked on the Hodgdon site for load data, looked through some threads on 2a, and even some forums.  If anyone has any load data that they are willing to share, it would be much appreciated.

...:-)
Hogdon lists 6.1 titegroup. But that is still way less than factory loads. Titegroup was made for light to medium loads. If you crave fire and thunder you gotta go with slow burning powder, tight crimps, Magnum primers, and a good quality bullet.

Thanks for the info.  I saw the max powder load being 6.1 grains on the Hodgdon site, but that data was for a HDY XTP bullet head, and tested in a 10" barrel. 

Should I switch over to hard cast lead bullet heads?

By the way, the bullets are being shot from a S&W 686 revolver with 6" barrel

Thanks for the info.  I saw the max powder load being 6.1 grains on the Hodgdon site, but that data was for a HDY XTP bullet head, and tested in a 10" barrel. 

Should I switch over to hard cast lead bullet heads?

By the way, the bullets are being shot from a S&W 686 revolver with 6" barrel

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You can use the data for the XTP bullet with your Xtreme plated bullet of the same weight safely.
But I do not know for sure if you will get good accuracy though. The speed might be too much for the plating.
You might also get copper bits spitting out from the cylinder-barrel gap.
If you want guaranteed good MAGNUM results, you need to find a real jacketed bullet and H110 or Win 296.

As for cast lead bullets, those are usually for light target loads.
HOWEVER a good cast lead bullet can be loaded with H110 or WW296 to moderate magnum levels.
I achieved some pleasing results by doing that. I can give you data if you desire.

Primers and crimping:
You need magnum primers for H110 or WW296 period.
Crimping must be heavy INTO the cannelure groove.
Failure to do so may cause the bullet to "jump" out under recoil and jam your cylinder.

Powder:
There are a few other slow burning powders that could be used, but I can only vouch for
H110 and 296. Maybe Blue Dot too.

I did some test fires with the reloads that I made.  I made some with 5.5 grains, and 6.0 grains if Titegroup powder ( the only powder that I currently had).   Both reloads test fired well.  6.0 grains of powder in the .357, naturally had a little more pop.  I was using 158 grain jacketed bullet heads.

I recently obtained winchester 296 powder.  What is a recommended bullet head that I should use to achieve the power and feel of a .357 magnum?  I am using Federal No.200 small magnum pistol primers.

Is 16.7 grains of Win296 the correct amount for .357 magnum?

I recently obtained winchester 296 powder.  What is a recommended bullet head that I should use to achieve the power and feel of a .357 magnum?  I am using Federal No.200 small magnum pistol primers.

Is 16.7 grains of Win296 the correct amount for .357 magnum?

What oldfart said.

Classic 357 mag ammo is a 158 gr. Jhp loaded with a slow burning powder like hogdon h110 or win 296.
Charge weight would be approx. 16.5 gr.
You can download a free PDF file from hogdon with lots of info like this.

Win296 FTW.  158 grn fmj round nose with heavy crimp 16.5 grn slow burning 296.  Talk about kick and a 6 inch flame out the barrel.

Win296 FTW.  158 grn fmj round nose with heavy crimp 16.5 grn slow burning 296.  Talk about kick and a 6 inch flame out the barrel.

Thanks!  That's what I'm looking for.  The flash out of the barrel, and a nice kick.