Author Topic: .360 DW in .357 Mag??? (Read 485 times)

Bug · « **on:** May 21, 2004, 02:15:37 AM »

Some have said that their .357Mag chambers are long enough to use .360DW brass. Before I order some new brass, I have a few questions.
1.Does doing this offer any increased load capacity? It seems that OAL is the limiting factor. I fail to see that longer brass would have any effect, in this respect. I already load my .357Mag long enough so cast bullets are slightly engraved. They are also loaded a bit on the warm side.
2.Does .360 brass seem to be any stronger than Mag brass? I don't see this as a real issue, because I'm not having any problems with Mag brass.
3.Do you use .360 data? If so, where can I find/review loading data on the .360?
lastly,
4.Has this given any measureable increase in accuracy or velocity?, with a variety of bullets?
I'm not really trying to MAXumize a Mag, but if there is really a benefit/gain here, it might be worth the price of a couple hundred new .360 brass, to try it.
Thanks, guys, for your input & willingness to share experiences.....Bug.

Deaf Smith · « **Reply #1 on:** May 21, 2004, 11:42:59 AM »

Is it possible to shoot 360DW in a 357 maximun chamber? Is there any advantage at all to the practice? Just wondering
Jim L

Bug · « **Reply #2 on:** May 21, 2004, 02:03:46 PM »

It'll work just fine. Much the same relationship as the mag is to the max, or the spl. is to the mag, just a bit less of a difference. I can't see any advantage to it at all(increased bullet jump, reduced pressure/velocity, and all that,) unless you happen to have some .360 ammo that you need to shoot...............Bug.

Dragon31 · « **Reply #3 on:** May 22, 2004, 01:49:03 PM »

I've been playing with the 360 DW brass in two 10 inch, .357 mag contender barrels (blue and stainless). The brass fits easily into the chambers. Speers #11 reloading manual list special .357 mags loads for contenders. It lists 16.1 grains of H110 pushing a 180 grain bullet at 1528 ft per second. In .357 mag brass I could not reach that velocity. Using 360 DW brass I can increase the powder to exceed 1600 ft per second without difficulty and then some. I can't see a real difference in accuracy in 360 brass since I had a .357 mag load that shot exceeding well. I bought 100 pieces of brass from Midway, I'm my fourth reloading and have not experienced any problems so far. I've used two different bullets Hornady SSP's and bulk Remington JHP's, both 180 grain. I've tried Lil Gun, H110, WC 820 and WC 680. Can't tell much difference in H110 and WC 820. Lil Gun and WC 680 left unburned powder in the barrel. I use Winchester small rifle primers and have increased the crimp to deal with this problem in my latest reloading. At this time I think the 360 can be said to be a step up from the mag in a 10 inch barrel and for hunting purposes is worth the small cost of the brass, since you can still shoot .38's and .357 mags in the same barrel. For loading go to your search engine and type in 360 Dan Wesson Deer. This should get you started.

Bug · « **Reply #4 on:** May 23, 2004, 02:21:21 AM »

Dragon,
Thank you so much for your reply. That is just the type of experience and information I was looking for. The only thing you didn't addres was length. Were your rounds loaded to the same OAL in both cases, or did you increase length with the DW brass?
After I posted, it ocurred to me that I already know where to start with the DW brass... Why, I'd just start right where I am now, with the .357 brass! Duh!

Anyways, thanks, and let me know about the length issue, OK?........Bug.

Dragon31 · « **Reply #5 on:** May 24, 2004, 01:49:07 PM »

Bug:

I believe the length of the 360 DW Brass is 1.41 (from my memory , I'll check to be sure), .357 Mag brass is 1.290 so if you crimp in the same place on the same bullet (assuming that each bullet maintains close specifications) then the over all length of the 360 DW is going to be .12 inches longer than a .357 mag with the same bullet. I'll do some reloading and measuring after while and let you know.