Powders for .357 Mag.?

dsv424 · November 12, 2009, 04:37 PM

I mostly use 2400 for this caliber but I want to try something different. Is there better powders for this bullet that some perfer? I usually use 158 grain FMJ or plated bullets.

Foxbat · November 12, 2009, 04:43 PM

...

FlyFish · November 12, 2009, 04:49 PM

H-110/W-296 (same powder, different names) is very popular, and what I've always used, for full magnum loads.

Sidewinder72 · November 12, 2009, 05:01 PM

Winchester 296 near max for best accuracy. work up to find the right load for your revolver. Plated bullets use 231 and load for lead bullets.

amamnn · November 12, 2009, 05:09 PM

Recently I have been very impressed with the groups I have shot using Berry's 158 gr. HP and N-340.

tomh1426 · November 12, 2009, 05:38 PM

For light loads I use Bullseye, heavy loads I use H110/W296.
Between those two powders you can do alot!

BigJimP · November 12, 2009, 06:16 PM

I like Hodgdon TiteGroup ( and I use it in 9mm, .40S&W, .45acp, .38 spl, .357 mag and .44 mag ) - accurate, clean and it meters well....

I like Montana Gold for bullets.

That'll Do · November 12, 2009, 07:26 PM

What are you doing with your loads, dsv424?

For target work, I really like Hodgdon Universal and Winchester 231.

For midrange loads, I use Unique and occasionally Power Pistol.

For hi-test loads, Winchester 296/Hodgdon H110 and Alliant 2400 are tops. Some people like to use Hodgdon Lil' Gun, but from what I hear, it is best used with heavy bullets (180gr and up).

amd6547 · November 12, 2009, 07:56 PM

I have a can of Accurate #9...any good 357mag loads for that? Not using it for anything else, at the moment.

joneb · November 12, 2009, 09:01 PM

I use AA#9 for 158-180gr jacked bullets in a Ruger Security Six 2.75" barrel with very good results. I load more than 13.6gr for 158's and 12.9gr for 180gr's using CCI 500. This powder has shone signs of over pressure with lighter loadings, more so with the 158gr's.

jsflagstad · November 12, 2009, 09:46 PM

VV N110
VV 3N37
VV N105
H110

Had good luck with all

dsv424 · November 12, 2009, 10:02 PM

I reload this round for a 16 inch Puma Lever-action. So far all I have ever done with it is plinking paper. It's a fun little gun and I just enjoy shooting it at the range, so far.

cornbush · November 12, 2009, 11:24 PM

IMR 4227

Winterhawk56 · November 12, 2009, 11:34 PM

I have had great results with AA # 9 in my SW 686, 6" barrel, SW 60 2-1/4" barrel and Colt Trooper III 4" barrel.

Crankylove · November 13, 2009, 12:48 AM

I use mostly W231, H110, and H4227.

rg1 · November 13, 2009, 01:00 AM

Favorite powder for 158 grain jacketed, specifically Hornady XTP's, is Accurate Arms #9. Data is available on their web site. Works equally well in pistol and carbine rifle .357 Magnum loading.

amd6547 · November 13, 2009, 05:21 AM

Thanks, I will give AA9 a try.

**Mike Irwin** · November 13, 2009, 09:39 AM

WW 296 is my standard go-to powder for heavy magnum loads in .357 and .41.

Another powder I use occasionally for those is AA 7.

margiesex · November 13, 2009, 10:56 AM

I've always loaded 2400 myself - pushing a 158 grn JSP now (years ago a 160 JSP) and I've always had good results and excellent accuracy - so why change?

Can't say I've ever played with anything else in the .357...

God bless.

Margiesex

And remember: Hug your God and your guns - 'cause he's coming for them both, and soon!

James R. Burke · November 13, 2009, 05:26 PM

I also like w-296.

under_dawg · November 15, 2009, 12:05 PM

If you're looking for a good plinking load / cowboy load try some trailboss and a lead 158 gr bullet.

dsv424 · November 18, 2009, 11:35 AM

Thx for all the info guys. I'm going to try AA9 it sounds like its a popular powder for this caliber. I have only used it in my G20 10mm so far and I really like the results for that gun.

November 12, 2009, 04:37 PM	#1
dsv424 Senior Member Join Date: December 4, 2008 Location: Dallas, Tx. Posts: 266	Powders for .357 Mag.? I mostly use 2400 for this caliber but I want to try something different. Is there better powders for this bullet that some perfer? I usually use 158 grain FMJ or plated bullets. Last edited by dsv424; November 12, 2009 at 04:42 PM.

November 12, 2009, 04:43 PM	#2
Foxbat Senior Member Join Date: January 13, 2008 Posts: 367	... Last edited by Foxbat; November 12, 2009 at 06:34 PM.

November 12, 2009, 05:09 PM	#5
amamnn Senior Member Join Date: May 13, 2006 Location: WA, the left armpit of the USA Posts: 1,323	Recently I have been very impressed with the groups I have shot using Berry's 158 gr. HP and N-340. __________________ "If the enemy is in range, so are you." - Infantry Journal

November 12, 2009, 09:46 PM	#11
jsflagstad Senior Member Join Date: January 29, 2005 Location: Up Nort Posts: 419	VV N110 VV 3N37 VV N105 H110 Had good luck with all __________________ JSF "Is your rifle interesting? -Larry Potterfield

November 13, 2009, 12:48 AM	#15
Crankylove Senior Member Join Date: July 8, 2008 Location: 8B ID Posts: 1,753	I use mostly W231, H110, and H4227. __________________ The answer to 1984 is 1776

November 12, 2009, 04:49 PM	#3
FlyFish Senior Member Join Date: January 20, 2009 Location: Overlooking the Baker River Valley Posts: 1,723	H-110/W-296 (same powder, different names) is very popular, and what I've always used, for full magnum loads.

November 12, 2009, 05:01 PM	#4
Sidewinder72 Senior Member Join Date: November 25, 2008 Location: Kansas Posts: 130	Winchester 296 near max for best accuracy. work up to find the right load for your revolver. Plated bullets use 231 and load for lead bullets.

November 12, 2009, 05:38 PM	#6
tomh1426 Senior Member Join Date: September 17, 2005 Location: Youngtown Arizona Posts: 1,135	For light loads I use Bullseye, heavy loads I use H110/W296. Between those two powders you can do alot!

November 12, 2009, 06:16 PM	#7
BigJimP Senior Member Join Date: February 23, 2005 Posts: 13,195	I like Hodgdon TiteGroup ( and I use it in 9mm, .40S&W, .45acp, .38 spl, .357 mag and .44 mag ) - accurate, clean and it meters well.... I like Montana Gold for bullets.

November 12, 2009, 07:26 PM	#8
That'll Do Senior Member Join Date: October 25, 2008 Location: Pittsburgh, PA Posts: 546	What are you doing with your loads, dsv424? For target work, I really like Hodgdon Universal and Winchester 231. For midrange loads, I use Unique and occasionally Power Pistol. For hi-test loads, Winchester 296/Hodgdon H110 and Alliant 2400 are tops. Some people like to use Hodgdon Lil' Gun, but from what I hear, it is best used with heavy bullets (180gr and up).

November 12, 2009, 07:56 PM	#9
amd6547 Senior Member Join Date: May 27, 2006 Posts: 2,313	I have a can of Accurate #9...any good 357mag loads for that? Not using it for anything else, at the moment. __________________ The past is gone...the future may never happen. Be Here Now.

November 12, 2009, 09:01 PM	#10
joneb Senior Member Join Date: December 10, 2005 Location: Central , OR Posts: 1,888	I use AA#9 for 158-180gr jacked bullets in a Ruger Security Six 2.75" barrel with very good results. I load more than 13.6gr for 158's and 12.9gr for 180gr's using CCI 500. This powder has shone signs of over pressure with lighter loadings, more so with the 158gr's.

November 12, 2009, 10:02 PM	#12
dsv424 Senior Member Join Date: December 4, 2008 Location: Dallas, Tx. Posts: 266	I reload this round for a 16 inch Puma Lever-action. So far all I have ever done with it is plinking paper. It's a fun little gun and I just enjoy shooting it at the range, so far.

November 12, 2009, 11:24 PM	#13
cornbush Senior Member Join Date: September 29, 2008 Location: The retarded place below Idaho Posts: 1,408	IMR 4227

November 12, 2009, 11:34 PM	#14
Winterhawk56 Senior Member Join Date: March 9, 2008 Location: Southern California Posts: 228	I have had great results with AA # 9 in my SW 686, 6" barrel, SW 60 2-1/4" barrel and Colt Trooper III 4" barrel.

November 13, 2009, 01:00 AM	#16
rg1 Senior Member Join Date: November 6, 2001 Posts: 1,125	Favorite powder for 158 grain jacketed, specifically Hornady XTP's, is Accurate Arms #9. Data is available on their web site. Works equally well in pistol and carbine rifle .357 Magnum loading.

November 13, 2009, 05:21 AM	#17
amd6547 Senior Member Join Date: May 27, 2006 Posts: 2,313	Thanks, I will give AA9 a try. __________________ The past is gone...the future may never happen. Be Here Now.

November 13, 2009, 09:39 AM	#18
Mike Irwin Staff Join Date: April 13, 2000 Location: Northern Virginia Posts: 41,390	WW 296 is my standard go-to powder for heavy magnum loads in .357 and .41. Another powder I use occasionally for those is AA 7. __________________ "The gift which I am sending you is called a dog, and is in fact the most precious and valuable possession of mankind" -Theodorus Gaza Baby Jesus cries when the fat redneck doesn't have military-grade firepower.

November 13, 2009, 10:56 AM	#19
margiesex Senior Member Join Date: June 5, 2009 Location: Levittown, PA Posts: 210	Why change? I've always loaded 2400 myself - pushing a 158 grn JSP now (years ago a 160 JSP) and I've always had good results and excellent accuracy - so why change? Can't say I've ever played with anything else in the .357... God bless. Margiesex And remember: Hug your God and your guns - 'cause he's coming for them both, and soon!

November 13, 2009, 05:26 PM	#20
James R. Burke Senior Member Join Date: January 3, 2009 Location: U.P. of Mich/Quinnesec Posts: 1,897	I also like w-296.

November 15, 2009, 12:05 PM	#21
under_dawg Senior Member Join Date: November 15, 2007 Location: Cayce, SC Posts: 222	If you're looking for a good plinking load / cowboy load try some trailboss and a lead 158 gr bullet.

November 18, 2009, 11:35 AM	#22
dsv424 Senior Member Join Date: December 4, 2008 Location: Dallas, Tx. Posts: 266	Thx for all the info guys. I'm going to try AA9 it sounds like its a popular powder for this caliber. I have only used it in my G20 10mm so far and I really like the results for that gun.