Need advice loading down .357 Mag

I have my favorite load for .357 mag, and really like it. Alliant 300MP 18.2 gr, standard primer, 158 gr XTP. I have two 357 mag rifles, and this is a great load for pigs and deer under 100 yards. Almost no noticeable kick, and it is really moving out of a rifle barrel. I figured it would be GREAT for my about to be 9 year old. He has been shooting his .22 for three years now and has been giving the squirrels hell. So, I bought him a 357 mag single shot for his birthday. His first two shots were dead on, and he quickly developed a flinch. Seems what a 44 year old father considers "no noticeable kick" to a 9 year old is "kicks like a rented mule!"
So I need to load up some "target" loads in .357. The problem is with 300MP, accuracy seems to be best at near max loads, and falls off when you drop down. I also have some blue dot, w231, and IMR4198(although I'm sure that I can't use this for 357). I know I can just load some 38 rounds with 231, but I don't want something that will hit 12 inches lower than what he will be hunting with. Here's my question...What 357 powder lends itself to being loaded down for lighter loads and still retains good accuracy?

Try titegroup in a 38 case.

There's a couple of powders you can use. The problem will be, as you reduce the load for a slower velocity, the point of impact will go lower. If you have a rear sight that can adjust for this, it should be an easy fix.

Powders, the easiest powder for a reduced load would be Trail Boss. But it depends on how much you want to reduce the load. Trail Boss would be for a lighter load. For max loads, the 300 MP is a great choice, along with H110. As you want to reduce the load, these powders are not so great. You will want to go to a max load of a faster burning powder, like HS-6, CFE Pistol, 231, or Blue Dot. Something in those burn rates. You want to have enough pressure to properly seal up the straight walled case. If you go too low on pressure, and the case does not seal up, you can get some blow back into the action, and it causes some issues. (I have this problem shooting some light 44 Special loads out of my 44 Mag lever rifle)

You can go to the Alliant and Hodgdon websites for the reload data for those powders.

http://www.alliantpowder.com/reloaders/r...amp;bulletid=38

http://www.hodgdonreloading.com/data/pistol

Thanks Cowboy and Chad.

Chad, I have an old hornady book, and they don't list any 231 loads for 357 mag. I see that the Hornady site does. That might be the ticket with components that I already have on hand. I used to use blue dot with 357, but had some serious pressure spikes with a new lot of blue dot. Even after reducing the load quite a bit below book, I still had pressure issues, so I'm not sure I want to use that one...

If you look at the Hodgdon link, they list 231 from 6.2 to max of 6.9 grains with a 158 XTP. Try those in that window, and see what your results get. I like Blue Dot a lot. If you are getting pressure with it, keep backing it down until you don't. Just don't go much below minimum charge. It would also be a good powder for your application with a slower round.

Also, recoil is based on 2 main things- bullet weight and velocity. If you decrease your bullet weight, to say a 140 grain XTP, it will drop the recoil more. And obviously, reducing the velocity.

I thought of going down to 125, but had not considered the 140 gr. I'll be headed out to get some 140 gr xtp shortly. Thanks!

I have an unopened box of 100 or the 140 XTP, if you need it. I'm in Lewisville.

Chad, I found some at Academy already just a few miles from home. With all the advice you've given over the last few years, I'd like to meet you at the range one day!

You're welcome!!! I shoot out at Jason's place in Wolfe City about once a week. Come join me sometime!!

May have to do that! I loaded up some 140 gr xtp's with blue dot at 90% of the max listed load, and it was much softer. My boy shot 10 shots and it was much, much better. Not sure what velocity is at that load, but I'm sure it will still be plenty to kill deer and pigs at 50 yards. Accuracy is not bad either. Thanks again!

I use HS6 in .357. It's not quite as fast as some of the Mag powders but is very accurate at aroud 8~10 gr. I shoot coated cast 125 &158s and they are quite accurate and not as punishing

Sounds like Chad got you squared away. Here is some more info. For full house loads I like H 110. For down loaded plinking ammo my favorite is Universal but it is a fluffy flake powder and does not meter very well. One more good option for plinking ammo is HP-38. It meters very well and I get stellar accuracy with 125's.

Good to hear!!

www.alliantpowder.com/getting_started/safety/safety_notices.aspx

excerpted:
Blue Dot® should NOT be used in the 357 Magnum load using the 125 grain projectile (Blue Dot® recipes with heavier bullet weights as specified in Alliant Powders Reloading Guide are acceptable for use).
•Blue Dot® should NOT be used in the 41 Magnum cartridge (all bullet weights).

I believe this applies to all the lighter bullets. I suspect the powder flashes over when the lighter bullet begins moving earlier and the space the powder occupies expands. Some liken it to dust explosions in the old flour mills.

That said, My favorite "light" load is a 110 grain XTP ( or Speer JHP ) with 9.0 Grains Unique. You will find this in the manuals. Also my recollection which I just checked is that the same load weights works with Win 231, 110 grain bullet, 9.0 grains 231.

Smokey,

Isn't HP-38 the same powder as Win 231?

I think that is correct. It sounds like we have found some of the same results with 357. Unique was my go to till I couldn't find any and bought a pound of Universal and stayed with it.

Agree with ya Smokey on the Universal, great powder.

HP38 and W231 are exactly the same powder.

I don't know what kind of hearing protection you had for him, but I catch myself flinching more from noise of a loud rifle or pistol than from the recoil. Just something else to consider...

He had a good pair of muffs on. The load did noticeably push him back. The new loads that I have for him using the 140 gr bullets don't push him back, and he is perfectly happy with them.

Headed out this weekend. We will both be sitting in the stand. I will have my bow, and he will have his rifle in case some pigs come in. I'm hoping for pigs.

Just loaded up some .357 mag cases with 3.3 Unique under 158 coated SWC and 3.7 Unique under 138 coated WC's. I just wanted a very powder puff target load for the new S&W 596 4"

I used sm pistol magnum primers as Hornady suggested

Those ain't just powderpuff, Buzz...they're cologne and lipstick loads too.

And bubble bath. I forgot the bubble bath.

I should have just left the powder out huh?

Shoulda lied and said Bullseye. That would bring em up to powderpuff level.