Author Topic: Heavy Lead Bullets in the .357max (Read 852 times)

mag41vance · « **on:** April 28, 2005, 03:08:53 PM »

My NEF rechambered .357 Max definitely prefers heavy bullets and also WC 680 powder.

I tested two loads today The one pictured is: 223gr SWCGC over 20.3 gr of wc680 with WSR primers.

The other load tested was 165gr SWCGC over 20.3 gr wc680 with WSR primer.

I've tested the 20.3 gr charge of wc680 in several loads and it seems to be a magic dose as it has never tested poorly. That 20.3gr load is a 1.3cc Lee dipper.
I wouldn't bother trying to duplicate this load as all of this information is just a bunch of huie, and my way of sidetracking the postal match shooters into wasting time and not being a factor in the postal match. :wink:

HE HE HE

Badnews Bob · « **Reply #1 on:** April 28, 2005, 03:24:49 PM »

I was gonna post a picture of my last max group but..... that single .358dia hole was kinda boring :roll:

Deadeye47 · « **Reply #2 on:** April 28, 2005, 03:35:50 PM »

Quote from: Badnews Bob

I was gonna post a picture of my last max group but..... that single .358dia hole was kinda boring :roll:

:shock: :shock: spoken like a true professional bullsh... ahhhhchoooo...scuse me... :roll: :roll: Nice shootin there mag41vance!! :wink:

Badnews Bob · « **Reply #3 on:** April 28, 2005, 03:43:57 PM »

Didn't spend most of my life in the Navy to learn nothing ya know :-D :-D :-D

quickdtoo · « **Reply #4 on:** April 28, 2005, 03:47:59 PM »

Those infamous one hole groups, eh?

:-D :-D :-D We had a fella in our muzzleloader club that would put a good shot on paper then shoot the rest off the paper.....and claim a one hole group!!!! One do a double ball load and then shoot the rest off the paper....

Badnews Bob · « **Reply #5 on:** April 28, 2005, 03:54:35 PM »

Its not the story its how well its told

JPH45 · « **Reply #6 on:** April 28, 2005, 05:45:18 PM »

Double post, Ooops

JPH45 · « **Reply #7 on:** April 28, 2005, 05:51:34 PM »

What bullet is that Vance? Sounds a lot like a Lyman bullet of 215 grains (advertised weight) they offered when the Max was a factory offering from Ruger. Is that the one? You buying it or casting it? I've really wanted to try it out, has a nice long bearing surface, one of hose "this bullet looks like it ought to shoot" bullets.

mag41vance · « **Reply #8 on:** April 29, 2005, 12:30:56 AM »

Quote from: JPH45

What bullet is that Vance? Sounds a lot like a Lyman bullet of 215 grains (advertised weight) they offered when the Max was a factory offering from Ruger. Is that the one? You buying it or casting it? I've really wanted to try it out, has a nice long bearing surface, one of hose "this bullet looks like it ought to shoot" bullets.

I believe it is the 215 lyman. I got the bullets from a "6point sika" over on Marlinowners about 6 months ago.He lives in my area.
Very long bullet for sure. They weighed between 221-224 roughly. They are straight ww. I sorted them by weight before shooting. He gave me another bunch that cast out to 165gr. He wanted me to give them a try, and yesterday was my first attempt with them.

I shot a larger 5 shot group with the 165's but four were in a sub caliber cluster, again with that 20.3 gr dose of wc680.

JPH45 · « **Reply #9 on:** April 29, 2005, 11:08:38 AM »

165 Grains?

Sounds like those are zinc or the scale is off. I'd like to find a copy of that mould, Lyman has data for it in their 47th Edition, but has dropped the Max altogether from their 48th Edition. I figure it has something to do with it not being a factory load, or evenworse something to do with the top strap cutting of the Ruger and Dan Wesson revolvers. funney thing is, I believe it possible to still get a 357 Max revoler from Dan Wesson, unless it has been replaced by the 360 DW. It was proven that yes, the top strap did vut, but the erosion stopped after a few thousands, and left the revolvers perfectly safe for use. John Linebaugh uses the frames to build his heavies like the 475 and 500 on. Go figure. Thanks for the info.

mag41vance · « **Reply #10 on:** April 29, 2005, 11:32:34 AM »

The scales are fine I check them before each use for accuracy.

Here is a couple of groups with DJ's 180LBT style. They cast out to 183 gr.

I may have done better if I had cleaned the barrel before shooting as DJ's home-brew lube is different than the hard blue colored stuff on the previous bullets.

Paul5388 · « **Reply #11 on:** April 29, 2005, 04:38:16 PM »

Vance,

I thought I was going to see some heavy boolits here!

I shoot 250 gr Beartooth LFNGC out of my .357 Mag. They just loaf along at 1200 fps using 7.5 gr 800X, but will shoot close to 1" at 100 yards. :lol:

mag41vance · « **Reply #12 on:** April 30, 2005, 06:28:08 AM »

Quote from: Paul5388

Vance,

I thought I was going to see some heavy boolits here!

I shoot 250 gr Beartooth LFNGC out of my .357 Mag. They just loaf along at 1200 fps using 7.5 gr 800X, but will shoot close to 1" at 100 yards. :lol:

Now Paul, you know you Texan's have a skewed view of size.

Paul5388 · « **Reply #13 on:** April 30, 2005, 03:31:47 PM »

Vance,

You know I was just messing with you, but I did shoot this 5 shot group with .30-30 cast 175 gr boolits today.

I need to run these through the chrony to see if I'm doing better than your Max!

quickdtoo · « **Reply #14 on:** April 30, 2005, 04:04:21 PM »

Paul, pretty dang good for sore hands!!! Maybe sore hands makes ya concentrate more!!! Good shootin!!! :wink:

Tim

Paul5388 · « **Reply #15 on:** April 30, 2005, 06:34:18 PM »

Tim,

Went to the VA Thursday and the only thing accomplished was a few X-rays of my hand. Maybe I asked them too many questions they didn't have any answers for and it confused them so that nothing got done?

Anyway, I came home and stopped taking one pill known for contributing to gout and altered my diet. Now it should be just a matter of time for a little relief from the symptoms and maybe lose a few pounds in the process.

quickdtoo · « **Reply #16 on:** April 30, 2005, 06:50:56 PM »

Hope so!