357 MAXIMUM, How Heavy to Load?

[JHT]

I wonder what the optimum bullet weight would be for the 357 Maximum, that is with a respectable weight bullet?  In order not to cut the strap I think that a heavier bullet would prevent much of these problems.  Has anyone done any handloading in this area?  Regards,  JHT .

[Mikey]

JHT:  You can go all the way to 250 gns in the 35 diameter bore but I think that weight slug is too heavy for the 357 Max.  You can use 200 gn slugs, either cast or jacketed - the jacketed are for the 35 caliber rifles and may or may not expand properly on your target; the 200 gn cast shopuld not expand at all.  I would think you could successfully use any bullet weight available in 158, 168, 180 or 200 gn; couple of places sell 200 gn cast semi-wadcutters.

But I didn't understand your statement 'not to cut the strap'.  Whazzat mean???  Mikey.

[GatCat]

I'm guessing he means the flame cutting of the topstrap that was talked about so much when the revolvers were first sold, and folks loaded them with light bullets. I'd like to hear peoples real-life experiences with this this "problem" ( or if it even exists). If it does exist, I wonder if inserts like S&W installs could be used??
Mark

[JHT]

Mikey, Mark is correct I was referring to the intense heat that was causing the topstraps to be undermined in the Ruger Maximums in particular.  He also raises an interesting question of whether similar inserts to the ones engineered by S&W could be retrofitted to these guns.   Regards,  JHT

[Badnews Bob]

180s to 200 grainers work very well, I like hard cast bullets myself and don't worry about expansion, A .358 hole blown all the way thru will drop just about anything.

[jumpsteady]

Just bring these back out!!!

[Boxhead]

I use 180 gr XTP's over H4227 in my Ruger with zero problems. The flame cutting problem was driven by the 158 gr loads loaded screaming with ball powder IIRC.