(I) Giveaway ends February 28, 2023. No purchase necessary. Giveaway prizes may have evidence of being test fired or exhibit minor handling marks. If I was going to use W231 in the .357 mag with 158gr lead bullets I'd keep the load below Speers 5.4gr max and and less than 1,000 fps with soflt swagged or cast bullets. It was not long before Winchester Model 1892s originally in .32-20 were converted to .357 Magnum. The heavy 158-180 grain bullets are the All right are Reserved Reload Ammo, Reloading The .45 ACP (Automatic Colt Pistol), 1,075 (plated, actual in 7 bbl revolver), 1,307 max (Enforcer load below is SWC + GC ), ,108 (as of 2008 HP38 & W231 are the same), 1,610 MAX a Commercial JSP load averages 1,503 fps, 1,208 Hi=1244, Lo=1179, ES=65 (good load). This powder has a low bulk density so it fills the case well to reduce free space in the same way as Trail Boss. The snubnosed .38 and .45 ACP handloads also turned in good results. I've found it to be a good all around powder for most straight wall handgun cartridges. Although The High Road has attempted to provide accurate information on the forum, The High Road assumes no responsibility for the accuracy of the information. ticket for many big game hunting applications and for defense in the That is especially true if you handload. (I) Giveaway ends September 30, 2021. 5.8 gr. I'll get there and with everyone's help here I think things will go fairly well. 28 gauge. You can. California Department of Fish & Wildlife, State Agency: Alliant Powder Smokeless Powders. The four most common for magnum .357 loads would probably be Alliant 2400, Alliant #9, Hodgdon H110, Winchester W-296. Let me be the 1st to say that you can never go wrong with Unique. 85. No purchase necessary. An area where the .357 Magnum is under appreciated is hunting. Smith & Wesson Model 586: Reviewing A .357 Revolver With Class. If that works for you, forge onward. Theres no single cartridge that can do everything, especially not with affordability in mind. of TrailBoss), (Note H110 & W296 are the same as of 2008 as is HP-38 & W231), (IMR 4227 is same as H-4227 if made in Australia), (bullets seated deeper = higher pressures) (I dont recommend lead at over 900 Safety Warning: Andy C is an experienced shooter and handloader. For hard cast work up to no more than 6.7grs max Winchesters data, . If you want to download your .357 Magnum ammo 2400 is a better choice. They list Titegroup for .357 mag with a 158 gr XTP. Best clean burning .357 mag powder | The Firearms Forum If you find your way down to Rod & Gun of New Bedford Sunday you can try some of my .38 loads. If youre looking for target loads on 38/357 than any fast burning pistol powder will work. 5.5 to 5.8 grains of Titegroup always worked well for me with pretty much any jacketed or plated 158 gr. Bullets are .357 for jacketed and .358 for lead in diameter. Arkansas Game & Fish Commission, State Agency: No. But, this isn't the best powder for 900 f/s loads. Powder choice for milder loads with 158 gr plated .357 - AR15.COM 231 is fine for a 38 load but not slow enough for a full house 357. use hot loads). Christian, Conservative American, Male, all three of which are currently under attack! Several of these can also be used in rifle cartridges, so its good to have While the revolver divisions of IPSC and IDPA are dwindling in participation numbers, theyre extremely rewarding to focus on. State Agency: It is a special powder developed for Cowboy Action Shooters using lead bullets. These days, thats saying quite a lot! This was written nearly 40 years ago and not much has changed. The "U.S. Rifle, Caliber .30, Model of 1903," better-known as the M1903 Springfield, has become one of the most popular U.S. military small arms to collect. Delaware Division of Fish & Wildlife, State Agency: . It gives the same or better velocities than Hodgdon's H110 and Wichester's Win296 (which are the same powder and either would be my second choice with Herc 2400 coming in third) at about 2/3 the pressure. Winners will be notified by certified mail on official letterhead. But you can download a .357 magnum to get a round that still has the powerful feel but is a little less harsh on the hands. So many options, so little experience! Becoming one of my favorite powders for .32 and .38 revolvers. Hornady - Critical Defense 38 Special Ammo - Most Versatile 38 Special Ammo. It looks like anything over 950 fps is pretty much topping out the range for this revolver. If your looking for cast targets loads I run clays in 38spl with some variety of wad cutter. For heavy loads, the Speer If you dont handload, fear notthe .357 is one of the easiest rounds to learn on. Of course, you can now get .357 Magnum power in the same package, but the recoil and muzzle blast are intimidating enough that many who own the mini magnums stoke the chambers with +P .38 loads. Paul, I just looked at the online loading center for Hodgdon. (Photo: Andy C). New Jersey Division of Fish & Wildlife, State Agency: IPSCs revolver division rules basically demand a .45 ACP moonclip gun, but in IDPA the speedloader-fed .357 magnums are alive and well. I'd like to shoot a few hundred rounds before I do that. Some loads use bullets of .358 for jacketed and .359 for lead. We don't want you to blow yourself or your guns up either. They are all determined experimentally. New Hampshire Fish & Game Department, State Agency: No purchase necessary. 07-24-2009, 06:32 PM #12. claybird. All entries must be received by giveaway end date. With regards, 357Mag The Hornady 140 grain FTX bullet is different from other 357 jacketed bullets a couple of important points need to be made right off: Cases will need to be trimmed to 1.240" instead of the usual 1.290". They list 4 gn of Unique will give 900 FPS with a 140gn bullet. In the .357 for heavy loads I have come to love Hodgdon's Lil'Gun w/magnum primers. field (against large predators). I have also used Unique with success on lighter loads, Bullseye, Red Dot and American Select didn't impress me for 357 but I didn't try too hard either. Powders.). Terms and Conditions and Privacy Policy. particularly good practice ammunition and with 125 grain bullets shoot Ive sold plenty of others, because they dont see as much use. Any brand-Small Pistol (Magnum) Details. Contest open to U.S. residents only. "I'm not often right but I've never been wrong. My favorite powder for .357 Mag with 158 gr. All entries must be received by giveaway end date. I also wanted a better finish than the plain stained buttstock and forearm so I had Milt put a real finish on the wood. Unless one goes into abnormally dangerous areas or situations, many people, like me, are willing to sacrifice some power for day-to-day comfort. 1.590 in. As most revolver cartridges fade further into obscurity every year, the .357 continues to have new life breathed into it by ammunition companies and gun manufacturers who recognize the demand for this venerable cartridge. Need Help?service@guns.comCall (866)582-4867, PO Box 1131 13800 Nicollet Blvd Burnsville, MN 55337 2023Guns.com. For me, I use 231 for light plinkers in .357 mag with 125 grain cast bullets. Every cowboy needs a revolver. That's with magnum primers. MV is 1360 fps and the ME is 575 ft. lbs. be driven to a MV of 1005 fps by 8.8 grains of HS6 powder, or 1142 fps Ammo, Inc. Signature .38 Special - 125 Grain TMJ (Total Metal Jacket) Brass Cased Centerfire Pistol Ammunition - Best Stopping Power .38 Special Ammo. Your mileage may vary. The Hornady 158 XTP-JHP over 15.5 grains of H110 is just under 1,600 fps in the Marlin and Rossi .357 leverguns. The 1:20 tests at 100, 200 and 300 yards proved that with a rifle length barrel, any commercially available bullet will . This same load is awesome in Marlin lever guns, but you might have to modify your bullet a bit depending on what you shoot; Ive seen some Ubertis that didnt care for the rounded flatpoint bullet profile. .357 hunting loads can be tweaked to take deer sized game and smaller. Copyright 2004, 2016 by Chuck Hawks. There is also the issue of lead vapor to breathe if on an indoor range. upper mid, etc. Lets just say midway tween low and high , In my opinion the K frames just aren't stout enuf for a steady diet of high pressure stuff. Like they say, this is close enough for government work. I'll admit they're a little stout, but still fun to shoot. For a better experience, please enable JavaScript in your browser before proceeding. 357 caliber. The .38 Spl. Posts: 3,825. 5 Most Popular Pistol Reloading Powders (Plus my favorite!) - Backfire I tried 2205 in a 9 3/4" Ruger Super Red Hawk and there was lots of unburnt powder, it . The .357 Mag is one of the most flexible handgun rounds. Box 488, Escondido, CA 92033. One powder for 38 and 357mag. I can't claim to have developed these - just use them as my go to loads. I prefer the Unique or Universal as You can get some rounds with wallop from a manufacturerbut itll cost you. Pennsylvania Game Commission, State Agency: Some recommend 2400 powder. I'll load a few trips to the range worth and see how it goes. It has been my favorite .357Mag load for 40+yr. Sure. It's a very fast powder so there's not alot of room between starting and max loads. Mike. Contest void where prohibited by law. If you had 2400 or similar powder you would be set up perfect for magnum lead loads. Whenever You Try To Make Something IDIOT PROOFThey Will Just Make Better IDIOTS! Recipe for 230 grain round nose powder coated .45ACP, Need couple pieces of 38 SC or 38 TJ brass. Nor with small hard bullets are you going to be leading free. Which powder for .357 Magnum? | Ruger Forum Prizes will not be awarded if illegal in jurisdiction of winners. I was surprised by how dirty and smokey my rounds were. Nevada Department of Wildlife, State Agency: New. Theres a huge combination of powders, bullets, primers and guns. 6 shots and point the muzzle upwards before each shot across a chronograph and 6 shots with the muzzle pointed down over the same chronograph. The same thing happened 20 years later with the new .44 Magnum and the Winchester Model 1892, which had originally been chambered in .44-40. Big enough that components can be easily handled, small enough not to need special gear, and common enough to be inexpensive. This site uses cookies to help personalise content, tailor your experience and to keep you logged in if you register. Here's what it's like to shoot this classic scattergun. For hotter .357 Magnum loads, any of the Hornady 158-grain jacketed bullets (hollow points, flat points, and full metal jacket flat points) work superbly well with 15.7 . The aforementioned 180 grain lead bullet will give you a definite advantage, especially in bowling pin shooting, while keeping the costs controllable. Basic Reloaders Manual (1996) Speer Reloading Manual, #12 Winchester Factory warranties may apply in some cases. (IV) Winners must undergo a background check (if required) and comply with all other federal, state and local laws. No substitutions or transfers to third parties allowed. Hornady XTP HP's is Accurate Arms #9 powder. Dillon Precision 14400 38 Spl 357 Mag Pistol 3 Three Die Set Carbide Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources, State Agency: I just checked my powders, and I have way too much Bullseye, and only a fair amount of 2400. HS-6 In The Subsonic 357 Magnum - The Reloaders Network I think I'll start with Unique. Maine Department of Inland Fisheries & Wildlife, State Agency: According to Quickload .357 data using a .357, 158, Sierra JSP FN 8340. (II) Limit one (1) entry per household; multiple entries will disqualify entrants. Bullets are .357 for jacketed and .358 for lead in diameter. Nebraska Game & Parks Commission, State Agency: Unique is a great choice. $36.52. Free shipping for many products! Much cheaper to load your own. for quite some time. HP-38. It is suitable only for full power magnum handgun loads and .30 Carbine loads. Feb 15, 2017. Jacketed bullets create a bit more wear on the bore, but its better than trying to wire brush out a bunch of lead build up. grain JHP with 583 ft. lbs. Giveaway prizes may have evidence of being test fired or exhibit minor handling marks. BIANCHI Speed Strips - Pair. It is just my opinion based on my experience and knowledge. Bullseye, 100% burnt at 2.56 inches of barrel length. I have used Red Dot, Promo, W-231, HP-38, Titegroup, & Unique. In the .357 for heavy loads I have come to love Hodgdon's Lil'Gun w/magnum primers. Bestseller No. Making .357 Magnum Ammo: A Powerful and Versatile Caliber with bullets weighing from 125-158 grains. FPS) (unless at least using a Gas Check) (with pure lead wadcutters, do not 2400, CFE Pistol, BE-86, Power Pistol, Sport Pistol. (Cowboy Action) 44 Russian (Cowboy Action) 44 S&W Special (Cowboy Action) 44-40 Win . I've tried Unique and Bullseye, and I've found the Red Dot burns cleaner . I use 3.5 gr of Red Dot, and a 105 gr Lee SWC in .38 special cases for my Cowboy Action/Snub Nose Training/Plinking/New Shooter load. There certainly is no argument when using a .357 Magnum levergun. They show 2400 as the best powder to use for reloading the .357 Magnum cartridge. . Washington Department of Fish & Wildlife, State Agency: Where can we push the limit of a compact but powerful cartridge for competitions sake? Its one of the few handgun loads short of a 44 magnum that may deter a bear; it will do more than that to wolves, hogs or large cats. (IV) Winners must undergo a background check (if required) and comply with all other federal, state and local laws. Like mentioned, use a magnum primer with magnum powders and do not reduce H1110/Win 296 below recommended start loads. Buffalo Bore offers a hard-hitting, high-velocity 180-grain JHP loading well-suited to taking deer-sized game at 50 yards or so. Id like to make the case that everyone who loves shooting should have a place in their safe and on their shelves for a .357 Magnum firearm and ammunition. Winners must respond within 30 days of receiving notification or an alternate winner will be selected. 10 gauge. Firearms dont get much more iconic than John Moses Brownings legendary Auto-5 semi-auto shotgun, affectionately called the Humpback for its distinctive drop at the rear of the receiver. (II) Limit one (1) entry per household; multiple entries will disqualify entrants. 32 H&R Magnum. Everything DocZeus says.For your K frame , I wouldn't push it to max. I have found Winchester W231 It has great guns in current production, with various styles (you can even get a .357 magnum 1911!) Prizes will not be awarded if illegal in jurisdiction of winners. .357 Magnum - CHUCKHAWKS.COM With Sierras 158 JSP, 15.5 grains of H4227 is right at 1,380 fps and groups three shots well under 1 at 45 yards. Vihtavuori provides load data for .38 Special, .357 Magnum, .44 Special, .44 Magnum and .45 Colt. grain bullets are the top choices for personal defense against "bad Read More Handloading Articles John Wootters questions as to whether or not the .357 Magnum was a rifle cartridge is pretty much the same conclusion I came to many years ago. .357 Magnum - Published Manufacturer Loading Data. Raw power? To protect the privacy and security of winners, names will not be made public. As others have said, Power Pistol. Note: Hodgdon as of 2009 controls IMR and Winchester Powders. Employees and agents of Publishers Development Corp. are not eligible. Although a lot of factory ammo for the .357 is loaded light in deference to all those 80 year old guns out there, a full power .357 S&W Mag with those light 125 grain bullets (remember, the cartridge was made for 158 grain bullets at a published velocity of 1500 f.p.s. I go through a lot of Blue Dot on 357 mag and you can use it with 38 Spl as well. Box 488, Escondido, CA 92033. I purchased my first when they first came out and our family has added three more since then. Factory warranties may apply in some cases. loads today have a limit of 17,000 p.s.i., whereas the .357 Magnum's is 35,000. Reloading booklet Alliant Powder Co. Reloaders Guide (1995) Hodgdons Also, started with SP Magnum primers and had about 10 % misfires and unburned powder in lighter loads. .357 Magnum factory No you will not. amounts listed above (but not where it says start load), and work up to the Employees and agents of Publishers Development Corp. are not eligible. A stiff .357 load is plenty of punch for a relatively delicate animal like a whitetail. You need a faster powder for the .38 and you do for the .357. A shooter using the .357 must limit himself to broad-side shots on deer. I have probably tried a little of every thing and I seem like Titegroup a little better than any other pistol powder that I have used. Theres not a whole lot under the size of a deer that cant be taken using some .357 Magnum load. I have the Lyman reloading manual. The next powder is meant for magnum cartridges using heavy bullets. 2) Am I likely to shoot it more often than my .357s? When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission, which supports our community. W296 is slow burning and needs a case full to ensure complete ignition. (II) Limit one (1) entry per household; multiple entries will disqualify entrants. 5, No. To protect the privacy and security of winners, names will not be made public. If you hunt in predominantly tight spaces with shorter sight lines, a .357 lever rifle is a wonderful gun to carry all day. The One-cartridge Hobby: .357 Magnum :: Guns.com New York Department of Environmental Conservation, State Agency: I'm just looking to load plinking rounds. JSP, .357 with JHP, .357 with JSP. This high energy powder provides economy in loading. for the magnum pistol loads and for rifle. I'm a little OCD when it comes to reloading and just have to try everything so I can see what the differences are. Louisiana Department of Wildlife & Fisheries, State Agency: I used 13 gr of Alliant's 2400 under a 125 gr. At the VERY least, use a copper Gas Check lead bullet or a copper plated bullet. HP-38 for .357 mag | 1911Forum Hornady jacketed over 5gr. These are typically sports dominated by the 45 ACP and 44 Magnum. Associated taxes and fees are the responsibility of winners. So, youll need a .357 magnum firearm and a reloading press to really enjoy the cartridge. I've got a closet with at least 10 different powders. Copyright 2023 National Rifle Association, Women On Target Instructional Shooting Clinics, Volunteer At The Great American Outdoor Show, Marion P. Hammer Women Of Distinction Award, Women's Wildlife Management / Conservation Scholarship, National Youth Shooting Sports Cooperative Program, The Mismatched Model 27: A Curious Revolver, The Colt Mk III Lawman: A Forgotten Revolver, Retro Review: Smith & Wesson LadySmith Revolvers. Jul 22, 2015. Today, you can take your pick of outstanding hollowpoint or expanding-point bullets. This load in a 5-1/2 Ruger New Model Flat-Top clocks out at 1,333 fps. Jul 7, 2011. No substitutions or transfers to third parties allowed. If it's a hunting load or full power defense load your after, a slower powder designed for magnums will give you more versatility. South Carolina Department of Natural Resources, State Agency: Employees and agents of Publishers Development Corp. are not eligible. small game loads. Reloading the .357 Magnum Levergun - GUNS Magazine I would exclude H110 altogether. I use a good bit of Titegroup in .380, 9mm, .40 and .45ACP. All rights reserved. Personally, it would never go into a semi auto that had a partially supported chamber, never. For a better experience, please enable JavaScript in your browser before proceeding. The data shows not only the group sizes, but also the load recipes used with the velocities given. Clays OR 5.0 gr. Result of not working out is a kaboom and potential injury. Actually, that propellant is "too fast" but a-ok for reduced power paper punching ammunition with good accuracy. (III) Giveaway winner(s) chosen by random drawing. I've considered H110, but didn't know if it would be a good "all around" powder. Get Guns.com offers and news!! Come join the discussion about performance, gunsmithing, troubleshooting, reviews, accessories, classifieds, and more! Back. This includes the majority of mainstream handgun rounds including the 9mm, 38 Special, 40 S&W, and 45 ACP. Disclaimer: The above is not holy writ. Thanks for all the input guys. A Magnum primer will help get a complete burn with HP38/W231. Just remember, in .357 Magnum, some powders can be too fast. Contest open to U.S. residents only. For the 140 grain JHP the The bullet gets a clean kill without fragmenting. Below, are three loaded rounds. Discussion: Universal and Unique are good for lighter bullets, but if you want Muzzle velocity from a 4-5/8 Ruger Old Model Flat-Top are 1,050 fps and 1,150 feet per second respectively. This year, H&R announced an expansion of its AR-15 lineup, bringing additional "retro" models to the market, including a 9 mm Luger-chambered Colt SMG clone, an M16A2-styled rifle and the carbine-size 723. Winners will be notified by certified mail on official letterhead. When you want to go up to heavier loads in the mag cases try IMR4227 or 2400. (IV) Winners must undergo a background check (when required) and comply with all other federal, state and local laws. I want something that best suits a newbie to reloading. Unique is a good powder to start with. When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission, which supports our community. Imostly stay with gas check bullets in all .357 Magnum loads simply because they seem to shoot a lot more accurately. I have used 2400 for 357 but like it better for 44 Mag. JHP makes an excellent short barrel load. Loading the .38 Spl. & .357 Mag. - An Official Journal Of The NRA 2205 isn't the best choice in handgun length barrels, where it shines is rifle length barrels.I use 2205 in 44 mag hunting load and 22 hornet, Ap70n in 32, 38, 9mm, 357 and 44 mag target loads. If you have 3) Would it be more efficient to just buy components for my .357 handloading? Hand loading self-defense ammo isnt recommended so well table that, but you can load up practice rounds that can approximate your chosen self-defense loads. The Fora platform includes forum software by XenForo. I have been reloading the .357 Magnum since the middle 1960's. I have found Winchester W231 and Hodgdon HS-6 powders excellent for low and medium velocity loads and H-110, W296 and Hercules 2400 powders excellent for . For any loads over 900 FPS, I suggest using a jacketed bullet. CCI Primers - Per 1000. John said in 1983, All in all, I wound up this research project considerably more impressed with the .357 Magnum as a rifle cartridge than I expected to be when I started out the little pistol round can deliver the goods in a rifle and more importantly, provide an awful lot of shooting fun per penny in the process. Ive never seen a 90-grain load in a store. Problem is I am using 125 gn flat nose Berry's (plated) bullets. Securely hold 6 rounds of revolver ammunition and conveniently load two rounds at a time. 12 gauge. Bullseye is also good in .38 Special. Discussion in 'Handloading and Reloading' started by Throwingdown, May 26, 2009. The .44 Magnum loads were also a bit modest and could have been pushed harder. A comprehensive used reloading setup often comes well below the price of a new gun, and if you have one, it can make your existing Magnums so diverse in function its like owning multiple guns. I have gotten the best results/grouping with all three using 18 grains of 300MP with Hornady 158 grain XTP's. Flexibility of the .357 Mag. That's not what you asked at all. I have the .357 Magnum since the middle 1960's. Mail-in entries accepted; send postcards (no envelopes) to: GUNS Magazine, GOM March 2022, P.O. The benefits of this are twofold. Recipe. ballistics tables call for a muzzle velocity of 1450 fps for the 125 Sounds like things are going real good with the reloading, Chance. Find a book that lists loads for the bullet you will use. No substitutions or transfers to third parties allowed. can also shoot all .38 Special ammunition. However, it gains right at 400 fps from the 18-1/2 Marlin 1894 and puts three shots in 3/4 at 45 yards. Gregory, just to give you an idea about Unique, I have loaded 357 mag with a 158 jacketed round to 7.5 grains using Winchester primers. The reason I moved to Alliant Power Pro 300MP was I was impressed with what I read about it and have found it to be very clean burning, relatively low muzzle flash, accurate and can get a 150 to 250 more fps while still keeping well within the SAAMI 35,000 psi limit. I'm looking for the best powder to load .357. Fast Pistol Powder: Accurate #2 (My Favorite) Accurate #2 is an interesting powder in that it is one of the rare "low density" spherical powders. length article about the .357 Magnum can be found on the Handgun Neither The High Road nor any of its directors, members, managers, employees, agents, vendors, or suppliers will be liable for any direct, indirect, general, bodily injury, compensatory, special, punitive, consequential, or incidental damages including, without limitation, lost profits or revenues, costs of replacement goods, loss or damage to data arising out of the use or inability to use this forum or any services associated with this forum, or damages from the use of or reliance on the information present on this forum, even if you have been advised of the possibility of such damages. (Photo: Andy C). In addition, WW 296 would have . Hodgdon Smokeless Powder. Associated taxes and fees are the responsibility of winners. 357Mag loads with Berry's 158gr RNFP/H110 | Glock Talk (Photo: Andy C). 2021. When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission, which supports our community. All Rights Reserved, it doesnt show its potential unless you start handloading it. I get similar results with the same bullet and 4 to 4.5 grains of W231. Location: Colorado, USA. You are using an out of date browser. Loading Berry's Plated Handgun Bullets - Shooting Times If part of your plinking enjoyment is testing new handloads for flat shooting and serious speed, the .357 is a cartridge chemists dream. The 18 Best Reloading - Powders & Primers reviews in 2023 16 gauge. All my .38/.357 guns love this load (S&W 642/Ruger Blackhawks/Ruger GP100/Marlin 1894 Cowboy). Originally Posted by Hick. Powder recommendation 38 Special/357 Magnum - Northeastshooters.com Forums The 140 grain bullet can IMR TrailBoss are products of IMR (formerly DuPont) Powder Company. Reloading bench, featuring the very reloadable .357. My most-used load these days in a .357 Magnum sixgun is the Lyman #358156GC bullet over 14.0 grains of #2400. The same cartridge and rifle can be used for predator control if you occasionally find the need to deal with marauding coyotes and like to keep a gun by the back door. All of these bullets (below) can be used successfully in the .357 Magnum rifle Florida Fish & Wildlife Conservation Commission, State Agency: The armor piercing round was recommended), (you can try 3.3 gr. Employees and agents of Publishers Development Corp. are not eligible. But for all that inherent diversity, Ive found theres a single cartridge that lets me cover most bases while keeping expense down and enjoyment up. For lead bullets, Unique is great. This is super-low recoiling, and in a relatively heavy gun like a S&W 686, you may find shorter split times than the autoloader shooters. revolver barrel. I use it in .38 Special, .357 Mag, 45 ACP and even light loads in .41 Mag. However, it gains right at 400 fps from the 18-1/2 Marlin 1894 and puts three shots in 3/4 at 45 yards.