New Dan 715

[brutus51]

Treated myself to a new Dan Wesson .357 as a retirement birthday present to me.
Back in the day, before I got the big bore bug, I would load a Speer .146gr. half jacketed semi wad cutter on top of 13.5gr, of 2400 with a magnum primer. This was the most accurate load I ever developed for my .357 Colt. Don?t think you can get those bullets anymore and I shot those twenty some years ago.
My primary interest for this gun will be target shooting, big bores still rule for other endeavors , so I m wondering what others may be using in a magnum class hand load what with the new bullets and powders currently available.

[SI VIS PACEM PARRABELLUM]

The 140 gr class bullets are still very accurate. I've used Hornady XTP 140's and still using 2400 @ 14.0 gr. Works great in my 4 inch and longer S&W's.

[Son of the Gael]

I really liked those bullets too, but they have been gone a long time. 

Sierras are usually  a good choice for punching paper, but you never know til you try.  Many powders for  full blown magnums, Alliant 300-MP is a new one that is good, but once again you never know.  Dirty old 2400 is still around. 

Gratz one the DW, I'm feeling the need for a new .357 myself.

[handig00]

I congratulations on your new present !
With 158 jacketed, I had great success with Blue Dot , 296 , Unique, #9  and #7.
With 10.5gr of #7 and a 158gr jhp I've gotten 3" groups @100, out of a scoped Redhawk.
 I used it for silhouette shooting (without scope)
I would use mainly  Sierra 170gr fmj and Hornady 180gr in matches though, and they shot quite well as well using 296 and #9

Enjoy your new retirement toy

Mike

[IDescribe]

I believe the 148gr WCHB is pretty common among bullseye shooters.  You can get swaged WCHB from Zero Bullets.

[Wobbly]

Congratulations on retirement and the new wheel gun.

I also own several 357's, but end up shooting mostly 148gr 38 Spcls. Can't seem to get enough 148gr Hi-Tek coated DEWC from Missouri Bullet Co.

[jameslovesjammie]

I also own several 357's, but end up shooting mostly 148gr 38 Spcls. Can't seem to get enough 148gr Hi-Tek coated DEWC from Missouri Bullet Co.

Same here.  I bet it's been over 10 years since I've shot a .357 load, but shoot over 1,000 rounds of .38 wadcutters each winter.

Back when I did shoot alot of .357, I used Sierra 158 JSP and JHC's (shot about 6 Montana whitetail does with these bullets, saw zero performance differences between them), Hornady 180 XTP's, and a boatload of cast bullets ranging from 125 to 205 grains. 

Any of the powders you used 20 years ago will still be good performers.  Stay in the burn rate of 2400, H110/296, Enforcer, etc.  The new 300-MP that Son of the Gael mentioned is supposed to be a good one.  I bought a pound of it but haven't tried it yet.  Another that can turn in some top velocities is LilGun, but be advised it burns hot.