Low Recoil 357mag loads

[Simon_S]

I use 3gr tightgroup and 180gr tc in my Rugger 77/357 works nice groups are not bad

[Richard52]

.357 brass is slightly thicker/stiffer, so it may not maintain a consistent crimp for as long as .38 brass. For target loads, .38 cases are more than adequate (and a lot cheaper), so I'd suggest using them unless your lever-action cycles more reliably with the longer case. Popular wisdom is not to put very light loads in .357 cases because of the larger case volume (risk of detonation?), but I've never heard of any specific issue in this respect.

I use 2.5gns BA10 behind a 158 T/C hardcast bullet in my .357 Taurus using a .38 case. 2.7gns of CSB5 also works well, and CSB5 is easier to source than BA10 these days.

[mag44uk]

Realistically there is no difference between 38 and 357 cases apart from one is slightly longer.
If you used a 38 special load in a 357 case the only difference will be about 25fps depending on barrel length and coa length.
I am using 3,8gns of BA10 in 357 brass with homecast 135gn rnfp. Most pleasant and decent accuracy to 50yds.
I used to use Vectan AS which was cheap as chips until it dried up. Moved over to Maxam CSB5 and using up BA10 left over from pistol days.
TBH any fast burning powder shotgun/pistol powder around 3.5gns will work for a target load in a 357 case.
I have used just about most of these types of powder over the past 40 years.

[svincett]

3.1 titegroup with 158 grains gm rnfp 357 bullet heads from Kranks with a very light crimp

[thisisdonald]

Popular wisdom is not to put very light loads in .357 cases because of the larger case volume (risk of detonation?), but I've never heard of any specific issue in this respect.

This is why powders like N32C , Unique and Red Dot are popular amongst gallery rifle shooters. They have a larger volume per grain than other pistol/shotgun powders. I find that they meter really accurately as well. I throw my powder in an old Redding thrower with a competition dial on it and its superbly accurate with Red Dot.

[Black Beard]

The Vhit manual has N320 at 3.9-4.6 gr in 38 SP and 6.4-6.9 in 357 mag behind a 145 gr bullet. Lyman has 2.9 to 3.5 gr in 38 SP behind a 148 gr bullet.