Author Topic: .357 Maximum... (Read 836 times)

vonfatman · « **on:** February 28, 2006, 03:39:05 AM »

Saturday I picked up a .357 Maximum-10" bull barrel for my Contender. My press is ready (as soon as I adjust the dies) and I have brass and a few 180gr. JHP's on the way as well. I have a variety of powders too but will try other powders as well as bullets.

I am open to any/all load suggestions. I would like to try different load combinations. My use will be range and this fall hunting whitetail deer.

Thanks!!

Bob

skb2706 · « **Reply #1 on:** February 28, 2006, 04:06:50 AM »

If you go to the Accurate Arms website they list some very good loads for your max. Mine worked real well with AA1680 and the Hornady SSP 180gr. bullets.

vonfatman · « **Reply #2 on:** February 28, 2006, 05:11:25 AM »

skb2706,
Thanks, I'll check them out!

Bob

Catfish · « **Reply #3 on:** February 28, 2006, 01:39:28 PM »

I`ve been loading Win-296 in mine for years. Real good accuracy and very high velosities. If you have the Serria 180 gn. bullets I would recomand you get something else to hunt with. I pinned a big doe in the shoulder joint the first time I took mine out. The shot was abt 75 yrds. and the 180 Serria failled bad. The way she was standing I should have taken out her heart, but the bullet was destroyed in the shoulder joint. I got excellant accuracy with them, and if you only shoot through the ribbs the 180 Serrias will do a great job, but don`t count on penitration through hind quarters or shoulders. I`ve had real good luck with the 158 gn. Hornady XTP bullets in this round.

JLW · « **Reply #4 on:** February 28, 2006, 02:23:07 PM »

I have the 14" barrel for my contender I have two loads that are very accurate in mine. Sierra 200gr RN (rifle bullet) R#7 25grs, CCI 400 primers and Speer 180gr Flatnose or Hornady 180gr SSP Bullet, H 4227 21grs CCI 400 primers. I called RCBS and they sent the insert for the bullet seating die for me at no cost, so I could load the rifle bullet. JIM

vonfatman · « **Reply #5 on:** February 28, 2006, 03:16:22 PM »

Catfish & JLW,

Thank you both for some great load information. I'm really getting excited to try out this caliber!

I have Dillon dies at this time, I don't know if they offer/require a spacer when using rifle bullets...seems they would.

Have a great evening.

Bob

Steve P · « **Reply #6 on:** February 28, 2006, 03:50:22 PM »

I second the vote on AA1680.
3 of my 357sm like it.

Steve

Steve E · « **Reply #7 on:** March 03, 2006, 07:53:29 AM »

vonfatman

If you can get some Hodgon Lil'Gun give that a try, it seems like they invented it for the 357 Maxi. I have good results with Win 296 and IMR 4227 also.
The Lil'Gun turns in great accuracy in the 357 Maxi and it does it at less pressure than the other powders.
A good plinking load for the 158 gr bullets for me is with 19 gr. of Lil'Gun and 17 gr. with a 180 gr. bullet.
The 180 gr. Hornady XTP HP's work great in all my Maxi's
I think the 357 Maxi will shoot good with just about any combo of bullet and powder.

Steve E.............

vonfatman · « **Reply #8 on:** March 03, 2006, 09:35:05 AM »

Dear Steve(s)...
Thanks for the suggestions. I'm up to my you-know-what in reloading fun.

I just picked up my .357 Max barrel last week...then yesterday my .41 Mag and 45 Colt barrels showed up in the mail!

I think this is going to be a fun springtime full of shooting.

The Max will be my first project...I can't wait to send one down the pipe!!!

Thanks again and best wishes for a terriffic weekend.

Bob

Boxhead · « **Reply #9 on:** March 04, 2006, 05:48:53 AM »

I use 20 grs of H4227 under the 180 gr XTP in my Ruger with fine results.

vonfatman · « **Reply #10 on:** March 04, 2006, 06:48:56 AM »

Boxhead,
A Ruger heh? Well, all the folks I know that have .357 Maximum Rugers are sitting on them...not wanting to shoot them.

I'm glad to hear you shoot yours! I know about the flame cutting issue with the Rugers but also have been told it's not an on-going problem after the initial flame cutting.

Thanks for the load info!!

Bob

PaulS · « **Reply #11 on:** March 04, 2006, 05:09:22 PM »

I use the Speer 180 grain Flat nose bullet seated to an OAL of 2.145.
22.7 gr of H110 and get an honest 1800 fps from my Super 14 barrel.
That load shoots well in every barrel I have ever fired it in which includes
A custom barreled carbine of my brothers, My 10 and 14 inch Contenders and my 24 inch rifle based on an SKS that I modified to a manually operated ten shot repeater.
I know that AA1680 is supposed to give higher velocities but with accuracy that I get from it I don't have any desire to play with another powder to see if it shoots as well.

ricciardelli · « **Reply #12 on:** March 04, 2006, 05:41:02 PM »

W-296 From 16.5 grains to 23.0 grains
Remington 7-1/2 Primer

vonfatman · « **Reply #13 on:** March 08, 2006, 05:02:28 PM »

Thank you for posting your suggested loads...I sure appreciate the time you all took to help me out. I am expecting to have time to begin loading next week.

I love reloading. I really enjoy the people who reload.

Bob

Gary in NH · « **Reply #14 on:** March 10, 2006, 11:07:12 AM »

I have been reloading for the Max since 1998 for both rifle and pistol in the Encore. I have found that W-296 works best for powder, any primer listed for the cartridge has also been fine. For bullets I like the Speer 180gr and the Hornady 180gr, for lighter bullets the Sierra 110gr work great.

Gregory · « **Reply #15 on:** March 10, 2006, 11:59:58 AM »

Quote from: ricciardelli

W-296 From 16.5 grains to 23.0 grains
Remington 7-1/2 Primer

My load for my 10" Contender is 20.0 gr of 296 and the Hornady 180 XTP.
Works very well on deer.

Steve P · « **Reply #16 on:** March 10, 2006, 03:58:49 PM »

Quote from: Boxhead

I use 20 grs of H4227 under the 180 gr XTP in my Ruger with fine results.

In a Ruger 357 Max? How accurate at 100? I have both the powder and the bullets. Have not tried this combo in the max. Have always used heavier bullets.

Steve

vonfatman · « **Reply #17 on:** March 10, 2006, 04:29:21 PM »

Thanks Gents!

My reloading "goodies" are all here now. I need to set up the press and try a few loads. I have a pound of Win-296 on the shelf.

Steve E, I contacted Hodgden today and was told they agree that Lil' Gun should be great powder in the .357 Max...but was also told they would not be testing loads as this is a "dead caliber".

Rats. I appreciate the "plinking" loads you recommended.

Gregory,
I'll give that load a try...I plan to hunt deer with the gun w/open sights..so w/in 50-60 yards off an good rest.

Thanks again. Great suggestions and ideas from everyone!!!

Bob

Gregory · « **Reply #18 on:** March 11, 2006, 05:37:00 AM »

Quote from: vonfatman

Thanks Gents!

Gregory,
I'll give that load a try...I plan to hunt deer with the gun w/open sights..so w/in 50-60 yards off an good rest.

Thanks again. Great suggestions and ideas from everyone!!!

Bob

Bob,

As always, please work up to the 20 gr load to be sure it's safe in your gun.

vonfatman · « **Reply #19 on:** March 12, 2006, 01:42:30 AM »

Gregory,
Not to worry. I check every load and work up to my final REAL easy. With this caliber, I'll need to be real careful since there is not an much data in the manuals.

Bob