Reeder Custom Guns - I need to revisit the .357 Magnum...

It's a great round and I have several. I used to shoot it a lot. The last couple of decades I have focused more on larger bores and shot mostly .38's in my .357s.

I usually neglect the .357 in hunting situations these days but it is perfectly fine for our smaller Whitetails around here. I DO NOT like the idea for using it for hogs, unless special loads are devised. A 180/200 gr. using Lil'gun did the trick however.

What are you guy's favored .357 fun loads? I probably will cast some 125-158 gr. soon to get together. Using the old standby's, I even still use Unique, maybe 4227. Is there some new powder with great traits? Really clean shooting etc? I only need maybe 1200 fps or so.

My main shooting will be from a 2.5" SP101, 4" 586+, and a 8-3/8" M27.

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125 gr. Gold Dot JHP 21.5 gr. H110
24" Rossi leveraction = 2317 fps
7 1/2" Armi San Marco single action = 1612 fps

125 gr. Speer JHP 20 gr. WC820
24" Rossi leveraction - 2184 fps
1 3/4" S&W Model 340 - 1339 fps This load is the fireball below

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.357 Magnum Ruger Blackhawk 4 5/8” Barrel

130 gr. JSP 18.0 gr. WC820 Small Rifle Primer – 1404 fps
160 gr. cast RNFP 14.0 gr. 2400 = 1265 fps

I Did Not Fire These .. this is from loading manual

Lil' Gun Data
Primer - Winchester SPM

Bullet - 170 gr. Sierra JHC OALL - 1.580"

Lil Gun - 15.0 gr. = 1422
17.0 gr. = 1576

Bullet - 180 gr. Nosler Partition OALL - 1.575"

H110 - 13.0 gr. = 1352
13.5 gr. = 1396

Lil Gun - 13.0 gr. = 1279
15.0 gr. = 1422

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I shot quite a bit of Lil'gun before some reports of erosion came in. It seemed fine to me, and what I was shooting it out of I doubt I'd notice effects from erosion IF it took place.

The WC820 was some good stuff, surplus .30 Carbine powder if I read that correctly. Some lots had distinctly different burn rates but always find a use. I have some surplus 1680 but it may be too bulky. I have lots of AA#7.

There is a 147 gr. 9mm double cavity mould I have been wanting to unlimber. I bet I can get double play from it.

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with good results.

My favorite .357 load for years ..
The Keith 173 gr. SWC #358429
14.5 gr. 2400
Small Rifle Primer

It hit hard enough to deeply dent a car rim and crack it at times at 200 yards.

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I pretty much stick with these -

SAECO 158 gr. SWC
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Lynman #358665 160 gr. FP
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Lyman #358429 170 gr. Keith SWC
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I don't have the mold for this anymore and am about out of them. I don't shoot as much as I used to so I can always pick up a few when I need them.

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A big can of 148 wadcutters. I might tumble lube some if I can re-liquify the Lee Alox. Just for .357 plinkers. Wonder what would thin it out? Hot water bath?

A friend used a .38 Special wadcutter I loaded him to take a nice 8-point Whitetail at 50 steps. He used a 6” Colt Trooper MKIII that I traded him in high school. Neck shot, DRT. Recovered bullet was nicely expanded after shattering the neck bone.

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If you thin it fairly thin, it will take longer but use 2 thin coats. Gives a faint "color" .. you can barely see it on there, but is not sticky like thicker coating.

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As is, you can try to get a thinner coat but it still shoots smoky and is a bit tacky. By putting a little for a lot of bullets in a can and shaking a whole bunch, I've tried to use it, but it's really thick and gooey. I think super thin coating is just the ticket for wadcutters. When in a hurry it is really handy. I have intentions not to size these either. I've not mic'd them but out of the mould it should not be more than a thou bigger (.359-.360"). If they chamber fine after being stuck inside the case, the gun will size them.

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and that helps a lot ... but thin coat seems even better.

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to the 357 dia bullet for hunting. Of course I was around for the old 357 Max and the silhouette boys proved what could be done with the 160-180 + stuff at range. Course one of those stretched frame 357 max revolvers are a thing of the past. But fast forward to the 356GNR and we can all have one in a standard mag frame. Yea Gary !

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I think I was using the same powder charge as my old .357 Max. loads, or real close to it. 4227 and 1680 did almost as well as 296. Less blast and flash.

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I need to revisit the .357 Magnum...

.357 Chronograph Data with light bullets

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That is surprising performance in a snubby

Yes. Shot 9mm bullets from .38 Special & 357 ..

.357 Bullets

I don’t have much time right now. But I found

50/50 Mineral Spirits

I think that is about what I need, thinner coat

I've tumbled the thicker lubed ones in powdered mica

The 356 GNR is what really opening eyes

Yes! Perfectly duplicated .357 Max. in reg. frame.