I am working up some loads for my 640 .357.
I realize that powders such as 110 and 2400 will give highest velocities. However, in my J Frame I do not want that much recoil.

I have some Power Pistol, and am looking at some loads with 125 JHP and 158 gr Hornady HP. I thought I might get about 1250 with the 125 gr.

Anyone tried PP with these combinations?

Thanks,
Jerry

I tried Powder Pistol and decided that the following two loads were much better in 2" and 2-1/4" barrels:

Bullet:Sierra 158 Grain Jacketed Hollow Cavity
Powder:14.5 grains of 2400
Primer:CCI-550
Case:Remington
Velocity:1147 FPS @ 15' from muzzle

Bullet:Nosler 125 Grain Jacketed Hollow Point
Powder:20.0 grains of H-110
Primer:CCI-550
Case:Remington
Velocity:1484 FPs @ 15' from muzzle

Here is what the 158 grain loads do:

6 shots at 75 yards

And this is the 125 grain loads:

5 shots at 25 feet

Steve,
Thanks for the help. I appreciate your site, and have gotten some good info there.

At the present I am not wanting hot loads for the .357. I want to duplicate the 125 Speer GD, which chrono at 1187 in my 640. That isn't hard to do. Using AA2 and 7.1 gr behind a 125 gr Rem SJHP with FED primers and cases, I get 1147.
I like the faster powders in the short barrel.

With the 158 gr Horn XTP 10.5 gr of AA 7 gives 1050.

I have some Power Pistol and thought I might get about 1100 or so with the 158 gr with it. I don't use much PP and thought I would use it up.

These velocities are about the max I want in my 640. It has to do with recoil and my tolerance levels. The 125 gr Speer GD is about max for me to enjoy shooting the 640 and not develop a flinch.

Jerry

Jerry,

I share your opinion of fun recoil levels in this size revolver. I feel the same way about my M13 and SpeedSix. All the 125 gr. bullets I've used work well at these velocity levels. The powder choice is up to you, of course, as whatever gives that velocity will give similar terminal performance.

I notice that all loads with power pistol are for jacketed bullets. Is there a reason that no cast loads are listed.

John,
I had not noticed that as I don't load many cast bullets.

I have no idea why, but I would not hesitate to use it with a reduction of the charge.

Jerry

ABOUT ALL THE BULLETS FOR .357 MAG I LOAD ARE HARD CAST OR CAST OUT OF RANGE LEAD AND I USE THE SAME RECIPES AS JACKETED SLUGS. NO PROBLEMS JUST MORE BARREL CLEANING.

I use 2400 @ 18.0 w/125 Gold Dots w/Small Mag Pistol Primers, in my Colt Python 2.5" 357 Mag. I get the velocity I need in the short barrel.

Alaska Bush Man,

Do you have chronograph data regarding your velocities?

Thanks,
Jerry