I need some more brass for my .357 mag. I'd prefer to buy factory loads and shoot them up at a few matches and reuse the brass rather than just buying new brass and reloading it. Can anyone recommend a factory .357 mag load that wont damage targets and shoots well enough to use in matches?

Thanks.

Dustin

I used MagTech blue box. Not easy on the shoulder but it got me brass and didn't do any damage.
They were accurate enough for my shooting. Stay away from the real cheap stuff and don't use Cowboy Loads, there for short range Cowboy matches SASS type shooting.
ppkny

Dustin -
American Eagle 158gr JSP (made by Federal) are HOT out of a lever action. I let a guy shoot at my 3/8" thick pig and turkey swingers using them out of a 20" barrel and was shocked at the divot they left. An edge hit on the pig bent it a good 1/4" and center hits left a good 3/16" deep crater on the pig and 1/8" deep on the turkey. I'm not sure what speeds they ran, but 1400-1500FPS 357 JHP/JSPs and 1900fps 22Hornet SP or HPs barely leave a mark on the same targets.

ppkny -
I'm curious which Cowboy loads you're referring to. We've had folks shoot the Ultramax 125g and 158g RNFP Cowboy loads and they were "almost perfect" for the pistol cartridge matches.... Low recoil, just over 1000fps out of a rifle and dropped every target they touched 99.9% reliably (I no longer say 100% because I've seen edge hits from a 1100fps 45LC leave even a chicken target standing, LOL!).

-Tim

ppkny wrote:I used MagTech blue box. Not easy on the shoulder but it got me brass and didn't do any damage.
They were accurate enough for my shooting. Stay away from the real cheap stuff and don't use Cowboy Loads, there for short range Cowboy matches SASS type shooting.
ppkny

Thank you both for the responses. Tim, are you recommending the Ultramax Cowboy 125g and 158g's?

Dustin

Dustin -

I've never used them in my 357, so I have no idea how accurate they'd be in my gun. I only know I've seen them at a local match a few times and none of the guys using them had any complaints. I have used the Ultramax 32H&R Mag ammo and felt it was more than adequate, about the same ballistics as my 32H&R reloads that were only slightly more accurate than the Ultramax. I'd be interested in hearing ppkny's input about the Ultramax 357s before making a recommendation about them.

In my 24" 1894 in 357 cal I use either 4.5gr of 700X with a 125gr JSP/JHP or 5gr of 700X with a 158gr JSP/JHP. They run right at 1100FPS, have zero recoil, and sound almost like a squib load. A buddy of mine has shot the same loads in his 20" 1894 and it's louder, but still as effective and accurate. 5gr of W231/HP38 or 6gr of Unique will accomplish similar ballistics (I use 700X only because I have several pounds of it for loading shotgun ammo).

-Tim

dustinflint wrote:Thank you both for the responses. Tim, are you recommending the Ultramax Cowboy 125g and 158g's?

Dustin

Sorry guys that I can't be more specific but it's been a long time since I shot factory loads in my 357. The real test is at the 100 meter distance. I'l just say try a bunch and see what works for you. The MagTech's work well for me. I don't remember trying the Ultramax.
ppkny

Pete

Nice meeting you yesterday at Factoryville.

Ken, Same here, Hope to get to your range some time if I can get a bunch of guys to share the gas. Nice shooting I think you won the second match.
ppkny