357 Bullets & Powder Recommendations

[elkykid]

I shoot a 24" barrel, 357 R92.
You will find that RNFP bullets will probably be your best option. They load/chamber the best.
I mainly shoot lead bullets mostly 158g LRNFP, coated.
But I have had good results with Hornady 125g XTP bullets also.
I use W231 and Titegroup all the time. I load 357 cases with it.
I use my rifle for silhouette/target shooting out to 100 yds., so heavy loads are not my concern.
I don't shoot 38spl for two reasons though, But I have shot it just to try. 1- the accuracy is much better with 357 due to bullet not having to travel that short distance to reach the rifling. 2- The supposed dreaded crud ring when shooting 38 due to the shorter cartridge. Not going to argue whether or not it actually happens but why bother when it is just as easy to load 357 and not worry about it.
2400 is a good powder to try if you can find it. It doesn't need magnum primers and has a larger varince in loads so you can experiment more.

[Bazoo]

My buddy's R92 worked well with the RCBS 38-150-SWC from WW+Sn over a nearly full dose of W296.

[Firesubie]

I've tried hot loads with H110 and 2400 but I've settled into MP's 360-156(clone of the Lyman 358156) with 13.5 gr AA9. Or the Hornady 140 gr XTP with the same powder charge. Fairly mild load in the carbine, but snappy in the revolvers. I have some rifle-only loads that I keep labeled separately that you can find in Paco Kelly's article 357 Magnum and the Literature. I'm also working on the Lil Gun loads, but nothing to report yet.

[Czy_Horse]

The weather hasn't been the best for load development & chrono work with my new 24" Rossi R92.

Out of the 1/2 doz. bullets I've tried, my R92 has a dislike for this 158gr DRG LRNFP bullet style in either 38 or 357, plain or PC'ed. The little bit of a lip, in front of crimp grove, hangs up feeding into chamber. No big deal, I have other choices.


These are the commonly used bullet & powder combos for my Marlin 1894 357Mag/38Spl, I'll be adapting most of these for use the 24" R92.

-357 Hunting load is a 158gr Hornady #35780 FN-XTP & 16.5gr H110, runs approx 1800fps. Hornady #10 says #35780 has a suggested MV of 1150-1800fps. 'Regular' Hornady #35750 158gr XTP's have a suggested MV 700-1400fps, IMO Hornadys #35750 is a revolver bullet, to frangible at rifle velocities.


-357 Varmint load is a 125gr Winchester JHP & 21.0gr H110, runs about 2180fps.


-357 Plinking/Gong Ringing load is 158gr Campro TC FCP https://campro.ca/assets/php/fpdf/campr ... &bg=yes%3E & 16.0gr H110, runs approx 1775fps. These plated bullets cycle & shoot thru the R92 very well. Great gong ringers!

-38Spl CAS load, a 158gr DRG LRNFP & 3.5gr of TrailBoss runs about 830fps in the 18.5" Marlin. <This is the bullet style my R92 dislikes.
-38Spl CAS load, a 130gr DRG LFN & 3.5gr TrailBoss, haven't chronoed yet, est MV about 880fps. <This one the R92 likes.

38Spl DRG 158gr & 130gr

I've been experimenting with Hornadys 158gr FN-XTP #35780 & Lil'Gun. Faster but the extreme spread numbers & accuracy weren't that good. I'm thinking more crimp.

[LittleBill]

Fortunately for me my 16" trapper 92 will literally shoot any bullet, and shoot it well. Impressive little gun. Yours will be different, or it could be just like mine.
My favorites are a 358477 over PowerPistol or TrueBlue or a 165gr swcgc from Matts Bullets with LilGun.
https://www.mattsbullets.com/165-Grain- ... _p_56.html

Or

https://www.mattsbullets.com/155-Grain- ... _p_48.html

Both are excellent bullets and Matt is a master bullet caster who gives service par excellent. I buy just about everything from Matt, 38/357, 44, 45, and have yet to be unhappy. His 44 offerings are the best there are.