new to reloading 357 please help

[roc_my_tims]

Hello all,

I wanted to ask what is a typical bullet to buy for loading 357 amd s3 spl? ( i usually order from extreme but whatever is best is fine with me.

Do i order the same bullet pr 2 different o es for 357 and 38?

ALSO. does anyone have any brass they could spare i have about 30 38spl from range pick p but could use more and need 357.
I have some 9mm or 45acp to trade more 9 avalible but whatevers fair as im the one in need.

Im in so cal but depending on how far me paying for a small flat rate might be a better option.


Please let me know if anyone has anything avalible

Any other general info i should know is appreciated.

Thank guys

[Alpineshooter]

For target/range shooting I love the 148Gr wadcutter
or the 158gr Semi wadcutter

http://www.redlineballistics.com/#!ballistics/cfs9

$42 for 500

[maxx03]

Can't go wrong with 158 grain pills for both 38 and 357. Extreme bullets are GTG. You can use same bullets for both but be aware charge weights as they are different. You can also use lead or plated.

[Yreka]

I load these for punching paper 38 spc / power pistol

http://www.xtremebullets.com/38-158-RNFP-p/xc38-158rnfp-b0500.htm

I have a load for the above worked up for 357mag, but since I shoot mag less often, I spring for Hornady XTPs and H110 instead

[MrElectric03]

My favorite .357 load is Xtreme 158 gr RNFP with 12.0 gr of Blue Dot. I use the same bullets in 38 spl loads and some 125 gr Xtremes as well. Xtreme are GTG for me I use them in all of my plinking loads.

[roc_my_tims]

Thank you for the replies so far guys.

[stilly]

My favorite .357 load is Xtreme 158 gr RNFP with 12.0 gr of Blue Dot. I use the same bullets in 38 spl loads and some 125 gr Xtremes as well. Xtreme are GTG for me I use them in all of my plinking loads.

THAT is an awesome load. Blue Dot is a very good powder too.


Roc- the 158gr are excellent for .357/.38 like others have said. I am split on the SWC vs the RNFP. They both perform great.

The 148 WC are cool in that they are wadcutters and leave nicer holes.

But make sure that you do NOT load 125gr with blue dot in .357/.38 spl.- you will raise your chance to kaboom if you do. (I think it was .357, but I say leave it out of both to be safe.)

[z-bob]

I like 158 grain RNFP cast bullets for both .38 and .357.

In .38 Special, 3.5 grains of Bullseye or 4.5 grains of Unique. 231 is supposed to be a good powder too, but I haven't used it yet so I can't recommend it.

In .357 if I recall correctly (so you better look it up), 8.0 grains of Herco, or 11-11.5 grains of AA#7. 2400 is another good powder for heavy .357 loads with cast bullets but I don't remember how much (it's somewhere around 13 grains)

You do not need magnum primers with any of these powders.

[MarkG35]

I have had good luck with xtreme 158 swc and 231,Accurate #5,PB,etc. in my 686.

[Mot Mi]

I load these for punching paper 38 spc / power pistol

http://www.xtremebullets.com/38-158-RNFP-p/xc38-158rnfp-b0500.htm

I have a load for the above worked up for 357mag, but since I shoot mag less often, I spring for Hornady XTPs and H110 instead

I use the same bullets for 38 and 357. Works good enough for me.

[jes1698]

158 gr works well with Blue dot 12.0-12.2 which is pretty hot. When you can't get Blue dot... Tite Group works as good.
Note: If you are shooting a revolver most 357 mags don't recommend 125 gr though it is fine for the lighter 38 sp.

[huckberry668]

This is some of my 20 years of competitive revolver loading experience. May differ a little from most...

Use all 357Mag cases if you can. The difference is something like 1/10". You won't need to readjust dies all the time. You can load 38spl loads in 357mag cases. It won't cause fouling or chamber deposits like shooting 38spl cases in 357Mag gun.

Range brass for plinking is fine. You'll want to separate headstamp, chromed ones and trim if you want more accuracy.

I'd recommend 125gr Jacketed or cast bullets for these reasons,

1. works for both cases and load pressures.
2. easy on the powder, easy on the gun and easy on most shooters.
3. cheaper
4. easy to find good loads. If I remember correctly my Bianchi load was Zero 125JHP behind 5.1gr of w231 or HP38 in a 357Mag case. chrono'd at just over 1,000fps at 1100-ft above sea level.

swaged 148 HBWC is great if you know what you're doing. The hollow base skirt gets blown out of shape if you load it slightly hotter than you should and kills accuracy. I used Star 148HBWC in front of 2.9gr of HP38 or W231 with Fed 100. 2" grouper at 50 yards with my PPC revolvers.

158gr of anything will give you more felt recoil even with mild loads. Plated bullets are not very good for accuracy unless you load them extremely carefully. But if you must, since 38/357 rounds need crimping (roll crimp), buy the plated ones with cannelures so you don't destroy the thin plating that contacts rifling. You'll see some funny bullet holes if you crimp plated bullets with more than a sneeze.

Buy bulk to save shipping. For example, Missouri Bullet Company cast bullets are great for plinking outdoors. Only $31/500 from Powder Valley Inc. Their Bullseye#1 200gr SWC .45 cal bullets shoot 4" groups at 50 yards out of my Colt Gold Cup without load development.

[roc_my_tims]

Wow great info coming into this post. Thanks again. I think im going to have to start with the plated xtreme bulets for price and fact there plated and im at indoor ranges most.

[roc_my_tims]

Anyone know who sells 125gr non hollow point plated bullets as xtreme does not.

[rm1911]

This is some of my 20 years of competitive revolver loading experience. May differ a little from most...

Use all 357Mag cases if you can. The difference is something like 1/10". You won't need to readjust dies all the time. You can load 38spl loads in 357mag cases. It won't cause fouling or chamber deposits like shooting 38spl cases in 357Mag gun.

110% awesome advice. that lead ring inside the cylinder really sucks. I mean really sucks!!!

My pet loads are a 158 LSWC over 5.5 gr bullseye or 5.6 gr power pistol. xtreme bullets are great, I love them, and the plating makes for way less gunk.

the beauty of 357 is that all the light 38 target loads work perfectly. you really can't underload for it. sure, you technically can, but 2-3 gr of bullseye if such a mild soft shooting round. the only issue is double charging. most pistol powders will work very well in 357 target loads. unique, power pistol, #5, bullseye, red dot, etc., etc. just make sure you don't double charge. and then of course you can bump it up with blue dot, #7, etc., and get some thumping rounds. really get the juices flowing.

the most popular bullet has always been a 158, for whatever reasons. right now the only issue is finding pistol powder