Light .357 loads for a woman

JTReloader,

Maybe the perfect reload does exist, but it is a matter of opinion still.

About a year and a half ago Doc Holliday was having a similiar question. Although it does not show up in his opening post. Here is the thread reference.

http://thefiringline.com/forums/showthread.php?t=564597&highlight=125+grain+penn+lswc+bullets

On page two of the reference I answered rather lengthy but the real answer was the last paragraph of that post.

To save you bouncing around, here is a quote of that paragraph.

"All that aside, for Doc Holliday, My wife has the same problem. I solved it with 125 grain Penn LSWC bullets over 5.0 grains of Trail Boss in 357 Mag cases and the 357 LCR. I have taken this up safely to 5.3 grains and these approach 38 special + p velocities however the case starts getting filled to the base of the Penn's past that charge weight and do NOT compress this powder. Even when the powder just begins to touch the base of the bullets, very slight compression, I see case splits from the base of the bullet area going up to the top. She loves them and will shoot all I bring, which is a problem cause I like them too."

We had a message conversation about it, sorta referring to it as the perfect reload for the ladies in 357 magnum. After having the chance to try them out, here was his statement, to which I totally agree.

"My friend made the perfect reload for my wife's LCR 357. Even a child could handle these loads now and they will stop what they have to." - Doc Holliday 1950

edit to add: CCI 550 primers
also CCI 500 will work ok but I always use CCI 550 in the Magnum cases.
 
Last edited:
First- barrel length has nothing to do with inherent accuracy. One of the most accurate guns I have fired was a model 60 S&W.

.357 loads out of a 2" barrel will be only slightly more powerful than .38 special loads, but will have tremendous muzzle blast and recoil.

Buy (or load the equivalent of) factory 148 grain full wadcutter loads. While a "weak w/c isn't much against bear" neither is a 2" .357.
The wadcutter is also a very good defensive load for the 2" gun.

You might look at getting different grips for the gun, also.
 
Back
Top