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I'm anxiously awaiting the arrival of the used .357 Magnum 10 inch barrel that I just bought. I have been loading for this cartridge in revolvers for almost 15 years. One thing that I've learned is that there doesn't seem to be any optimal load that works best in all guns. I'm looking for load data for mild, plinking type loads as well as hotter rounds. These are for targets only. I prefer cast for my milder loads and jacketed ammo for the higher performance rounds; nothing over 158 grains. I like the 125 grain jacketed bullets as they yield less recoil and have higher ballistic coefficients. I have Winchester 231 on hand already for milder rounds but want to figure out what to buy for stronger ammo. I've used Blue Dot with great results, but I understand that H110 and 2400 have a significant following. I'd like to know what others have found to provide the most accurate performance with the .357 Magnum in a Contender. Thanks in advance.
 
Posts: 135 | Location: Dayton, OH | Registered: 11 July 2002Reply With Quote
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For the real movers in the .357 Mag case I've moved to Lil'Gun. Hogdon maxs at 15 gr. for the 180 gr. bullets and 18 gr. for the 158s. Some go higher, you know the drill. Your gun, your reloading practices, etc. but I'm not responsible for what you do. H110/W296 works well for the rompers as well. For mild 158 gr. "plinkers" I use 6 gr. of Unique in the Mag case or 5 gr. in the Special case. I also have a load using a 205 gr. cast and 2.5 gr. of Unique in the Special case. Not particularly noteworthy from a pistol but accurate and quiet from my 21" MAX barrel.

FWIW, I don't find the Contender to be all that different from the revolvers. If you already have good loads try them out.
 
Posts: 2324 | Location: Staunton, VA | Registered: 05 September 2002Reply With Quote
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Ferdinand,

I am one of those guys that have used H110 for decades in this round and like it.



I load the Winchester 125 JHP over 21.6 grains of H110 lit up by a CCI 550. This is a MAX LOAD and should be worked up to cautiously in your firearm. < !--color-->



I do not have a 10 T/C barrel but this leaves my 8" Python at 1600 FPS and my 20" 92 lever action at 2196. I have loaded many thousands of this load through the years.



For my midrange load I use 150 grain hard cast loaded over 5.5 grains of Unique lit up by a CCI 500. This yields roughly 1000 fps from the 8" Python. I have not yet converted over to 231 for the 357 magnum though I have for my 45 ACP. About 5.3 grains of 231 should yield similar velocity.
 
Posts: 35 | Location: Fort Lauderdale, Florida | Registered: 01 March 2003Reply With Quote
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One of mine is one of Skeeters loads usually put up in a 38 special case it consists of a winchester primer 13 grains of 2400 under a 173 keith bullet. My particular keith bullet has a gascheck on it and the load shoots really well. If you put it up in 357 mag cases you can go up to 15 grains of 2400. As always start 10% lower in your guns and NEVER sgoot the above loads in a 38 special caliber gun even if it does fit. Personally I use the above loads in my model 28 and my Herters Single Six, also both of my Rugers the custom Blackhawk and the Vaquero both in 357 as well. And or course my 357 max barrel in my contender. In the Contender I use Max cases with the 15 grain load of 2400. The load shoots well in every 357 caliber gun I own. Someday I hope to own a 8 3/8 model 27 if I can ever talk my buddy out of it.
Jim L
 
Posts: 37 | Registered: 23 January 2004Reply With Quote
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