FIL used to chrony loads in that velocity out of a 6" Dan Wesson, with 158's... I usually load 180's or 190's in that same gun, & have gotten close to 1600 out of the 6" with the 180's... so you may get there with an 8" ???
... I've not loaded 357 Max with either brand of powder you listed... in fact, been a couple years since I've loaded the Max now, so I'm not positive of the best powder... best guess right now, maybe 296, H-110, 4227 or 2400 ???
a quick internet search turned up 2 loads with 2 different VV powders in the mid 1600's for velocity ( didn't list barrel length )