WHAT IS THE REASON THAT RIFLE POWDERS ARE NOT USED OR LISTED IN THE 357 MAGNUM RIFLE ??? I DIDN'T SEE ANY RECIPES LISTED IN THE SIERRA BOOK, SO I NATURALLY ASSUME IT'S PROBABLY A SAFETY ISSUE. I WAS JUST CURIOUS ABOUT THIS AS THE 45-70 IS A STAIGHT WALLED CASE AND IT TAKES RIFLE POWDER ,... SO WHY NOT THE .357 ? THANKYOU ! CKM
Posts: 20 | Location: FLINT HILLS OF KANSAS | Registered: 10 October 2003
Right! The .357 case just doesn't hold enough powder for one to get any kind of performance out of any rifle powder slower than 2400 or ones of similar burning rate. 2400 is, or was, a "rifle powder", originally intended for such rifles as the .22 Hornet, etc. It was only later that it was applied to such things as the .44 Special (by Keith), and to 410 shotgun loads.
I JUST WANT TO PLINK WITH IT, SO I WON'T NEED TO BE LOADING FOR GRIZZLY BEAR. I HAVE SOME POWDERS LIKE IMR 3031, IMR 4895, AND IMR 4064 THAT DIDN'T WORK WELL WITH MY OTHER RIFLES ,.....I WOULD LIKE TO TO USE THESE UP. SO COULD ANY OF THESE WORK ??..
Posts: 20 | Location: FLINT HILLS OF KANSAS | Registered: 10 October 2003
Quote: I JUST WANT TO PLINK WITH IT, SO I WON'T NEED TO BE LOADING FOR GRIZZLY BEAR. I HAVE SOME POWDERS LIKE IMR 3031, IMR 4895, AND IMR 4064 THAT DIDN'T WORK WELL WITH MY OTHER RIFLES ,.....I WOULD LIKE TO TO USE THESE UP. SO COULD ANY OF THESE WORK ??..
In a word, NO! They are too slow burning for that cartridge. For plinking loads, you can use powders like Unique, W-231, AA-5 or others of similar burning rate. You can duplicate factory loads with powders like Alliant #2400, W-296 or H-110. For plinking loads, cast bullets are a lot cheaper to work with.Some of the powders recommended in the #48 Lyman manual are: AA#5, AA#7, Unique, #2400, H-110 IMR-4227 and Blue Dot. I'm particulaly fond of Alliant #2400 in my .357 mag. loads for my handguns. I only have one rifle in .357 and it likes 14.0 gr. of #2400 with a 158 gr. gas check cast bullet for about 1700 FPS. (Max load, start lower.) Flat does a number on jack rabbits and coyotes. Paul B.
Posts: 2814 | Location: Tucson AZ USA | Registered: 11 May 2001
You should be able to use a case full of the listed powders and not run into any kind of pressure problems. The velocity will be low, but shouldn't be dangerous in any way. I'll check them in quickload when I get home and post 100% load density numbers.
As always, your responsible for your loads.
I shot Surplus IMR 5010 in my 45-70 BFR. It did go bang, but all the powder didn't burn. I tried a couple across the chrony and the unburnt powder granules put holes in the display cover.
I'd say try it and just make sure that the bore is clear after fireing. shouldn't be a problem. You may get some unburnt powder in the action while ejecting, so look for that and see if it is a problem.
Posts: 2924 | Location: Arkansas | Registered: 23 December 2002
As indicated, you might use the powders you listed, BUT, you will probably stick a bullet in your barrel and then the fun begins trying to beat the stuck bullet out. Ain't worth the danger or the effort to get the bullet out...BCB
Posts: 212 | Location: WESTERN PENNSYLVANIA | Registered: 11 March 2001
Some numbers from quickload. 357 mag 20" bbl 158 LSWC 1.59" col IMR 3031 17gns 1153fps 11.8ksi 104% IMR 4895 17gns 1143fps 12.4ksi 100% IMR 4064 17gns 1128fps 11.5ksi 101%
I would try a cast lead bullet. It shouldn't give you any problems with the bullet sticking in the barrel. It looks like the pressures will be way low, so the powder may not burn clean. It looks like all the loads will be sub sonic so they may make a pleasant plinking load.
You'll have to try it and let us know how it went.
Posts: 2924 | Location: Arkansas | Registered: 23 December 2002
I was at the range yesterday testing 38 special cowboy loads. I loaded a couple of 158 gn lead bullets with 17gns of IMR 4064 in a 38 special case. Out of my Rossi M92 with 20" bbl I got 1046fps out of a 4 5/8" blackhawk I got 729fps. There was some unburnt powder granules but not too much.
Posts: 2924 | Location: Arkansas | Registered: 23 December 2002
I'm surprised no one has come up with the obvious answer to our friend's question: If you have excess rifle powder lying around, buy a rifle and load for it. I'd recommend a 308, 30-06 or 35 Whelen. Hope this helps, Okie John.
Have you ever seen a gun blow up I have and its not a pretty site. If it is not listed in any of the reloading manuals it is a good sign that it is not intended to be used. Sure you may get by with it for a while but I value my eyes more than experimenting with powder that I have lying around. It just isn�t worth it.
I just don't see how you could get enough of the rifle powders listed into a 357 case to get anywhere near high pressure. The only problem I can see is that it might not burn clean and you'll have to clean the barrel more often.
Posts: 2924 | Location: Arkansas | Registered: 23 December 2002
