which powder 38,357,360, 357 Max

[bluebayou]

As I am trying to quesstimate loads for the 360 DW to decide whether to ream to 357 Max, I am seeing:

All Hodgdon
38 Special
Titegroup

38 Special +P
Titegroup
H4227

357 Mag
H4227
H110

357 Max
H4227
H110

Another source shows 2400 powder good for

38 Spec at 9.4gr to 11.0 gr
357 Mag at 10.1 to 17.4
357 Max at 16.9 to 20.0

So would you start say in the middle of the 357 loads and work up looking for pressure signs?  The easiest solution is to ream it to Max.  Every dime counts right now and if I can load 360 DW at 100-200 fps slower than 357 Max then.......I just don't see the benefit. 

What makes me undecided is that some 180 grain loads show at 1900 fps in 357 Max with Accurate 1680.  That is a whole different class of cartridge.

[db22]

I have a box of test loads waiting for a good day at the range: 14.5 grains of Lil Gun under the Hornady 180 grain XTP in Winchester .357 Magnum cases. I seated the bullet in the rear cannelure with a good crimp. The book shows 15 grains as the maximum. I tried one set of ten with Winchester Small Pistol Magnum primers, and another ten with CCI Small Rifle Standard. Lil Gun is shown as the optimum powder for the .357 Magnum with 180 grain jacketed bullets in Hodgdon's data. I guess I should have dropped the charge a full ten percent to start, but this is handgun data, and the Handi is stronger than a revolver. I'll stop if I see any signs of excess pressure.

I'll post a range report as soon as I can get out to try this load. I have been shooting the Hornady 125 grain XTP with 7.5 grains of Universal, with no adverse signs. Accuracy is okay. I just mounted a scope on the .357 barrel to get a better handle on handload performance.

[bluebayou]

Man, I would definately be interested in what you find out with the LilGun.  I remember that some others got good performance. 

I think that I will be getting some 360 DW brass instead of the reaming to Max (right now).  Unless someone can convince me otherwise, I think that the 180 gr XTP with H110 should get me 1300fps.

[safetysheriff]

is there any substantive difference between the .360DW and a .357 Max' or a .357 SuperMag?   

ss'   

[hellacatcher]

26gr of AA1680 under a 180gr rem JHP a lite crimp this is a deer killer and groups very well.

[hellacatcher]

That is for 357Max.

[bluebayou]

SS,
That is my question at this point.  I don't see any real world difference between 360 DW and the 357 Max.  Sure the Max is a little faster, but I would think that the deer or the popcan will be just as dead.  I don't want to buy 2-3 powders to play with.  I am leaning toward just getting 2400 or H110 to go with my H4227 and loading 38's for the kid up to 360 DW for me. 

[Datil]

 blubayou, The bad thing about the 360, is Starline is the only 360 brass maker,
 Paul had problems with it splitting on 2 or3 loadings. Rem is the only Maxie maker.
 I have not any trouble with it. that is my main reason going wiyh yhe Maxie.
 Take Care Marv/

[bluebayou]

I saw that thread about the Starline splitting. 
MMM, there just doesn't seem to be any perfect choices this week.

[safetysheriff]

bb'

i think Datil gave you a good answer.     i don't remember the Starline brass splitting 'episode'.   but i do believe that paying less for .357 Max' brass from Remington, and then trimming it to .360 DW length may be a reasonable option, particularly since it picks up some velocity over the .357 Mag' but does not make the bullet jump the same distance as the Maxie' does before engaging the rifling.   that may help Some with accuracy, but how much i can't say.    every rifle is an individual unto itself.

one more thing, however, if i may.    considering that you can readilly buy Maxie' brass right now, why not pick up a bunch of it, chamber the rifle for the Maxie' and use your .360 DW brass (if you should already have some) with some real slow powder for  "the kid" you mentioned in your one post.   if you use something like Win 748 or IMR 4320 (which meters very well from a measure) in the .360 brass it will develop less velocity and pressure while giving you great loading density with good, consistent ignition i'd expect.   with Win' 748 you'd need a strong primer to get that ball powder ignited well, particularly in a straight-walled cartridge.   and your crimp needs to be pretty firm as well.   

take care,

ss' 

[bluebayou]

Good advice.

It isn't like the brass is going to go bad sitting on my shelf.  I would rather buy unneeded brass than unneeded powder.  I have 3 cans of powder that I don't use right now. 

Part of what makes reloading interesting is finding the right bullet, the right powder, the right measurements.  BUT, I don't want to waste money either. 

Thanks all

[Badnews Bob]

IMR 4227 and AA 1680 both work very well in the max plus you can buy the 1680 cheap from surplus sales, I use the 4227 in my loads and its clocking over 2000fps with a 180 grain hard cast slug  works great on white tails. I have two .357 handies ones a max I've used 360DWs in the mag and they work great don't have any speed data thou, I use alot of titegroup and lil gun for lighter loads.