357 Magnum & 357 Maximum Load Data

At Match Grade Machine we strive to build the best barrels on the market. To do so, we test our products to make sure we are providing a product that is just that. The following tests were conducted to provide our customers with load information in our 1:16" barrels, as well as stability testing with the 1:20" twist barrels.

In the 1:16" 16.25" barrels, we tested loads from subsonic .38 Special to a stout .357 Maximum and everything in between. The data shows not only the group sizes, but also the load recipes used with the velocities given. The 1:20 tests at 100, 200 and 300 yards proved that with a rifle length barrel, any commercially available bullet will stabilize in any weight.

357 Magnum and 357 Maximum Load Development Results

The barrel used in these tests was 16.25" long with the rifle setup. Twist was 1:16. All shots were at 100 yards and shot from a portable bench. No pressure signs were encountered. Testing was accomplished from 10/1/17 to 10/17/17. Shooting days were chosen for mild, windless conditions.


38 Special – Subsonic Loads

38 Special

Hornady 180 Grain XTP / H.P.
9.3 Grains H110
CCI – 500 Primer
Seated O.A.L. 1.490" No Crimp
Velocity Range: Varies by Case
– PMC 903 fps average
– S&B 888 fps average
– Winchester 915 fps average
Produced .310" 3 Shot Groups at 100 Yards with S&B Case
Shot out of our .357 Magnum Chamber

38 Special PMC 38 Special S&B 38 Special Winchester


357 Magnum Standard Load

357 Magnum

Hornady 180 Grain XTP / H.P.
13.5 Grains H110
CCI-550 Primer
Seated O.A.L 1.615" No Crimp
Velocity: 1343 Average @ 14'
Winchester Case

357 Magnum Standard Load


357 Magnum Stout Loads

140 Grain Hornady FTX

23 Grains Lil’ Gun
CCI-500 Primer
Seated O.A.L. 1.800" No Crimp
Velocity: 2128 Average @ 14'
Winchester Case

357 Magnum 140 FTX

158 Grain Hornady XTP/H.P.

23 Grains Lil’ Gun
CCI-500 Primer
Seated O.A.L. 1.680" No Crimp
Velocity: 2046 Average @ 14'
Winchester Case

357 Magnum 158

180 Grain Hornady XTP/H.P.

20 Grains Lil’ Gun
CCI-500 Primer
Seated O.A.L. 1.750" No Crimp
Velocity: 1892 Average @ 14'
Winchester Case

357 Magnum 180 357 Magnum 200


357 Maximum Stout Loads

140 Grain Hornady FTX

23 Grains Lil’ Gun
Remington 7 1/2 Primer
Seated O.A.L. 2.100" No Crimp
Velocity: 2341 Average @ 14'
Remington Case

357 Maximum 140

158 Grain Hornady XTP/H.P.

28 Grains Lil’ Gun
Remington 7 1/2 Primer
Seated O.A.L. 2.060" No Crimp
Velocity: 2167 Average @ 14'
Remington Case

357 Maximum 158

180 Grain Hornady XTP/H.P.

25 Grains Lil’ Gun
Remington 7 1/2 Primer
Seated O.A.L. 2.060" No Crimp
Velocity: 1966 Average @ 14'
Remington Case

357 Maximum 180 357 Maximum 200


357 Remington Maximum Additional Loads

Below are all of the bullet and load recipes followed by the groups shot at distance with our 21" 357 Max 1:20" Encore barrel. Every bullet tested shot very well, and we did not have any key-holing whatsoever on any of the projectiles.

150 Grain Cutting Edge

26 Grains H110
Remington 7 1/2 Primer
Remington Case
Seat O.A.L 2.320"
Velocity: 2,476 @ 14'
100 Yards: .778"
200 Yards: 2.611"
300 Yards: 3.160"

Cutting 100 Yards Cutting 200 Yards Cutting 300 Yards

160 Grain Cutting Edge

26 Grains H110
Remington 7 1/2 Primer
Remington Case
Seat O.A.L 2.320"
Velocity: 2,421 @ 14'
100 Yards: .550"
200 Yards: 2.141"
300 Yards: 2.450"

160 Cutting 100 Yards 160 Cutting 200 Yards 160 Cutting 300 Yards

180 Grain Hornady XTP / JHP

23 Grains H110
Remington 7 1/2 Primer
Remington Case
Seat O.A.L 2.060"
Velocity: 2,027 @ 14'
100 Yards: .544"
200 Yards: 2.431"
300 Yards: 3.568"

180 Hornady 100 Yards 180 Hornady 200 Yards 180 Hornady 300 Yards


3 Additional Loads Tested at 100 Yards

140 Grain Hornady FTX
26 Grains H110
Remington Case
Seat O.A.L. – 2.050"
Remington 7 1/2 Primer
Velocity: 2,428 Average @ 14'

140 Grain Remington J.H.P.
26 Grains H110
Remington Case
Seat O.A.L. – 1.935"
Remington 7 1/2 Primer
Velocity: 2,385 Average @ 14'

158 Grain Hornady XTP / FP
25 Grains H110
Remington Case
Seat O.A.L. – 2.010"
Remington 7 1/2 Primer
Velocity: 2,228 Average @ 14'

140 Hornady 100 Yards 140 Remington 100 Yards 158 Hornady 100 Yards

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