Looking to develop a couple of loads at both ends of the spectrum. One for varmints and the other for medium game. What powders would you recommend for the 110 or 125 gr and what powders for the 180 grain load.

Thanks

I use WW296 for 158's and 180's.

Lil Gun seems to give the highest velocity these days for the 180s.

Hornady and Nosler both list 2400 as tops with their 180's. Why does this seem wrong to me?

There is very little PSI data available for the 357 mag. Most companies are still using the old CUP system and the CUP numbers are sometimes questionable.

WW296, H110, and Lil Gun will deliver similar velocities when loaded to the same pressure. I can't quote specific charges because it depends on the bullet, but 1800 fps with a 180 grain cast is no sweat.

Mine likes the Cast Performance 180 grain gas check bullet with 16.0 grains H110, W296, or Lil Gun which develop around 1750 fps.

The speer #9 manual list their 180 grain flat nose rifle bullet seated to cannelure
17.5 gr H110 @1718 fps
17.0gr 296 @1742 fps
12.5gr 2400 @1326 fps This bullet WILL NOT FUNCTION THRU THE ACTION SINGLE LOAD ONLY !!
ALSO-- 158 gr jacketed pistol bullet
17.5 gr H110 @1866 fps
17.3 gr 296 @1862 fps
14.7 gr 2400 @ 1736 fps.
These are the top loads I have seen in a reloading manual. The next Speer manual # 10 they turned them down a bit but they do that with every new manual that comes out-- SAAMI paranoia ??
Wasilla Rod

I load 15 gr. Lil'Gun under the 180s for about 1600 fps, 18 gr. of Lil'Gun under the 158s for 2000 fps (use with an HP for varmints and the XTP-FP for deer). The 125s don't seem to get much more velocity but they do kick less (if you can actually be disturbed by .357 Mags fired from this gun). The 125s do do a number on groundhogs.