Author Topic: Another 357 Maximum Question (Read 615 times)

Gregory · « **on:** January 13, 2004, 01:13:54 PM »

My most liberal reloading manual lists 20.4 gr of 296 with a 180 gr bullet as a maximum load in a 357 Max. I'm loading 20.0 gr and getting 1525 fps out of my 10" Contender. I've seen lots of people reporting MV>1700 fps with 180 gr bullets and loading well over the book max on powder.

What is a maximum safe load for a 180 gr bullet with either H110 or 296 in your reloading manual?

BruceP · « **Reply #1 on:** January 13, 2004, 02:07:04 PM »

Speer #11 lists 22.6 gr. of W296 and 21.3 gr. of H110 for a MV of 1778 and 1769 fps out of a 14" TC. That is the manual I keep next to the computer. I will try to remember to look in some of the others when I go upstairs and get back to you. If the CRS dont kick in that is.
BruceP

Bullseye · « **Reply #2 on:** January 13, 2004, 04:53:37 PM »

I do not about the powder you are questioning, I use IMR 4227 in mine. It is interesting that the Hornady manual from a few years ago listed 22 gr. of IMR 4227 as the max load. They latest manual list 18 grs. Quite a difference!

Sixgun · « **Reply #3 on:** January 14, 2004, 03:21:16 AM »

I use 21 gr of 296 or h110 and get 1860fps from my 10 inch barrel. This is a 180gr cast bullet. It does leave some lead behind so I only shoot a few at a time and clean up good after. It is accurate and makes a really nice hunting load.

Sixgun

BruceP · « **Reply #4 on:** January 14, 2004, 03:17:40 PM »

I checked some of my other manuals and none list anything as high as what my Speer #11 did. Be careful and I hope you find a good load.
BruceP

Gregory · « **Reply #5 on:** January 14, 2004, 04:51:49 PM »

Quote from: Sixgun

I use 21 gr of 296 or h110 and get 1860fps from my 10 inch barrel. This is a 180gr cast bullet. It does leave some lead behind so I only shoot a few at a time and clean up good after. It is accurate and makes a really nice hunting load.

Sixgun

Wish we lived closer, I'd love to set our crhono's side by side and fire each load through both barrels and see why I'm only getting 1525 fps.

Sixgun · « **Reply #6 on:** January 15, 2004, 03:42:18 AM »

Gregory,

What kind of bullet are you shooting? If I use a 180gr XTP with the same charge of powder the mv from my 10" barrel is down in the 1600s. A cast bullet will generally get more mv than a jacketed bullet with the same powder charge. I am shooting 180gr Laser Cast bullets. I have discovered that if I tumble lube them with Lee Liquod Alox, in addition to the hard blue lube they already have, I can cut the leading down to almost nothing.

There also may be some difference in chronographs. I have shot mine and a buddy's side-by-side and there was some difference but very little. You may want to check yours with someone elses and see if yours is registering low. Mine and the one I tested it with are both Chroneys so they may error the same.

Gregory · « **Reply #7 on:** January 15, 2004, 12:56:43 PM »

Sixgun
I'm shooting a Hornady 180XTP and my chronograph seems to register fine with loads shot from most of my other guns.

PaulS · « **Reply #8 on:** January 15, 2004, 06:37:14 PM »

There is a reason you can load 22.5 of H110 is that the 180 grain rifle bullet is loaded to an OAL of 2.15 instead of the industry max of 1.98 inches. You can get close to the same load in the case with the Hornady 180 spire point and it has a bit better bullistic coefficient.
These loads will only work in single shot weapons and levers loaded single.

PaulS