Has anyone tried this? I ask because my Hornady guide does not list any data for 148gr. semi-wadcutter in .357 mag. The Lyman guide shows data for the .38 using Red Dot and 231 but not for the .357 using these powders.

I mention these powders because I have a little of each I'd like to use up. I'm not talking small loads in these .357 cases, rather starting in the middle of the data for .38 and working up just a bit.

I'm not into shooting hot loads with cast bullets, just ringing steel plates. I always follow reloading guides so I've never tried this before. Any opinions on trying this would be welcomed.

Speer lists 3.4 to 3.8 grains of 231 or 3.0 to 3.4 grains of Red Dot. These are for their hollow based wad cutter and run between 812 and 750 fps and are "loaded so as not to damage the bullet bases".

Other powders listed are AA#2 2.6 (690) to 3.6 (822), HP-38 3.5 (758) to 3.9( 280), 700X 2.9(745) to 3.2 (815), bullseye 3.0 (733) to 3.3 (806).

For most cast lead bullets 1000 fps is the top end. Harder bullets can be driven faster though. Speer lists the 158 grain LRN from 1034 to 839 FPS in .357 Mag.

Thanks for the data. I'll try it out.

Hodgdons web site has data for the 357 with 148gr lhbwc and Win, IMR and Hodgdon powders.
http://data.hodgdon.com/cartridge_load.asp

I've just used 38 Special load data in 357 cases in mine...there are certain powders that they say don't reduce any.. like 231 Win...

for my hand gun use, I normally use Unique and Blue Dot..which are pretty unfinicky powders..

I have used what my brother in law calls "hot.38-mild magnum" loads in my .357 for years with perfect satisfaction. .357 brass. Lee dippers work just fine, here.

Any .38 special or +P .38 load will do, just dump it into the magnum case, which will probably result in ~standard .38 Spl. pressures and velocity for the +P, and milder results for the standard loads, given the larger case capacity of the 357. Take care with loads that are listed as "do not reduce"... or... take the beginning 357 Maggie load from a reliable manual, compare it with the .38 +P one, and choose something halfway between. It will work perfectly, and won't scare the horses or cause old ladies to faint.

Handloader magazine had an article regarding 38-44 revolver loads, which a HOT .38, the direct ancestor of the 357 Magnum, and any of those loads, which are exceedingly warm for a .38, will transfer just fine to the 357 case, and not need magnum primers.

My favorite loads have been: IPSC; 5.5 gr Unique under an RCBS 150gr. Cast SWC, or Rcbs 162 GC bullet (now 158gr,), or any other cast 158 gr. SWC., 860 chronoed fps., 4" barrel. Fun to shoot. Didn't make major, but if you shoot well enough, it doesn't matter.

Nowadays, I use 5.9 or 6.3 gr. Unique under the same bullets, and 125 gr. plated HPs, as well as 125 and 135 gr. JHP.

11.5 gr. 2400 also works a treat, and I am experimenting with Skeeter Skelton's old "medium load" of 13.5 gr 2400/158gr. cast SWC.

I do have some Hodgdon Universal that one day, I will get around to using, but from preliminary results, 5-5.5 gr. is a good load.

These aren't barn burners, but pleasant to shoot, very adequate for any reasonable need.

Good luck with your search. It shouldn't be a long one.

Thanks for your input. Appreciated.