Author Topic: newbie to 357 maximum need help. (Read 662 times)

HappyHunter · « **on:** May 09, 2005, 08:08:51 AM »

I load for 38 special and 357 mag (plus a dozen or so others) but need to get set up for the 357 maximum. It appears that my Lee dies do not work on Max brass.

Lee dies with the factory crimp die are my standard fare but I notice that they do not offer the crimp die for this round.

I load on Dillon 550 and a Rockchucker. Who can advise me of pitfalls to avoid or recommendations on dies.

These loads will be for the Contender.

thanks,

Fred

jcunclejoe · « **Reply #1 on:** May 09, 2005, 08:36:32 AM »

I cannot say this for sure because my Maximum die set is a Lyman for 38, 357 and Maximum, but you should be able to use the dies you have by backing them off. The lee sizer may not be deep enough to size the entire length of the brass but the seat and crimp dies should work by backing them off.

Actually I prefer to have a separate set for each of the 38, 357 and max so that I do not have to re-adjust the dies every time I load for one of the others. One carbide sizer should work for all three with different seat and crimp dies.

Have fun, I love my maximum.
Joe

SLAVAGE · « **Reply #2 on:** May 09, 2005, 09:30:17 AM »

um if you want look at the clasfide section i have a set of older pacifcs i used to use for my 357 max barrel they work just fine just have to lube the dies in your case a lube rcbs die would work better sence u have a progressive,

an second i have the lee carbide factory crimp die an it works with 357 max
the standered lee dies dont though,
what i used to do is use a lee 357 mag carbide die have it up heigh an resized the case with that then use the pacific dies to do the other stuff

dave

skb2706 · « **Reply #3 on:** May 09, 2005, 10:52:13 AM »

Not sure about Lee dies but I know standard 38 sp/.357 mag dies from RCBS work just fine.
If it were me I don't think I would ever load enough .357 maxs at one time to warrant setting up a progressive loader for. Particularly for a single shot gun.......
Some powders that have worked well for me AA1680, IMR 4227 an H4227.
I like CCI BR-4 primers and several different bullets.

HappyHunter · « **Reply #4 on:** May 09, 2005, 11:39:26 AM »

Well I have found that my Dillon .357/38 dies will work on 357 Max.
Also that Lee 357 mag/ 357 max dies will work (but not for38 special) and that Lee 38 special/ 357 mag dies will not work.
Lee factory crimp die will work on all (38 spec, 357 mag and 357 max).

I will likely use this on rockchucker press and am ordering Lee mag/max dies with another factory crimp die. This way I will leave the dies set in my Dillon toolheads alone.

This is going to be used for silly wet shooting from 10 inch contender, any recommendation on bullet selection? I have plenty of 158 grain 357 cowboy and SWC, both in lead. Other than that I will be ordering.

Thanks for everyones help.

Fred

SLAVAGE · « **Reply #5 on:** May 09, 2005, 02:01:03 PM »

i just started loading for the 180 xtp hornady havent picked a starting powder yet though

Badnews Bob · « **Reply #6 on:** May 09, 2005, 03:31:18 PM »

My Lee .357 dies work great for loading the MAX including the factory crimp die, but I use a seperate .38/.357 Lee die set for the .38s just so I don't have to adjust them as much.

180gr LBT style bullets work very well out of my max also.

skb2706 · « **Reply #7 on:** May 10, 2005, 03:40:48 AM »

Unless the bullets you have are gas checks and hard cast they probably couldn't be driven to speeds associated with the "max".
I like 200 gr. RN Sierras , 180 gr. SSP Hornadys and 185 gr. hard cast Beartooth bullets in my .357 Max. Pretty much anymore I use AA1680 exclusively.