357 max load help

[handi243]

Got my parts in to load the 357 max using 180 gr xtp what loads are you guys using?

[cwlongshot]

I have had the best results with 1680 powder.

 Personally I hunt with mine so I use bullets constructed correctly for humane performance on deer.

 I like the 180 HP remington, 158 FP and 180 HP XTP bullets as well as the 180 FP and 170 Gold Dot from Speer. I tried the 180 SSP Hornady for a while and even shot a couple deer with it. But found it would come appart on bones and not give me complete penetration. So I stopped using it.

Of all those bullets the the 180 FP and 170 GD are my favorites.

Good luck,
 CW

[bluebayou]

Do you think that the 140 XTP is too light?  I wanted a single bullet to use for 38, 357, 357 Max that would be lower recoil. 

[cwlongshot]

To light for what?

To just shoot?
          Heck no, I have even tried the LWT 90gr 9mm slugs just to see what kind of velocity I could get out of it. But that's just for paper or small varmints.

 If you asking if the 140 is too light for deer. IMHO, loaded to its full potential YES its much too light. 2500 + FPS is attainable from a rifle barrel. Remember this bullet is designed to perform between about 1000 - 1600fps. Your average 357mag from a pistol will be lucky to get it moving 1300fps. From the handi maxi, you will likely get explosive expansion and very shallow penetration. Loaded down to 357 mag pistol velocities, it would work nicely!

Its THE bullet I use to use in my 8" Colt 357 for deer!!

 If you must stay lighter, go with Hornady 158 FP for the maxi and the HP version for the mag. You can likely load them exactly the same.

CW

[bluebayou]

Man, I'm sorry.....yeah, for whitetail.  I have loaded some for the 360 DW at a guesstimate of 1900 to 2100 fps and some 357 Mag at around 1600 to 1800. 

I was thinking of the SSP, but am leery of it.  I ws going to try the DW loads for accuracy now and get a reamer later in October.

[quickdtoo]

Here's a performance report on the 180gr SSP.

Tim

http://www.gboreloaded.com/forums/index.php/topic,81345.msg504887.html#msg504887

[cwlongshot]

If you can get the SSP to shoot well at under 2000, I say GO FOR IT!!!  I couldn't in my gun. It shot GREAT at 2200. But it was a bit fragile. I got about 1" accuracy at 100 with that combo. Accuracy was NOT A PROBLEM!

I shot four or five deer with it and only one had thru and thru penetration and the one that did only had a piece of jacket exit. All shots where base of the neck at inside 100 yards, most under 60. ALL deer dropped in there tracks. None overly large, say under 150lbs.

 The couple I have shot with the 180 FP and 170 GD thru and thru penetration with nickle to quarter sized exits. Again thru major bones of the neck and shoulder. Only a couple harvested so its not set in stone but I like what I see so far.

CW

[safetysheriff]

try :    http://data.hodgdon.com/cartridge_load.asp   to pick up some ideas for .357 max' loads.   look for the .357 Remington Maximum on that site under pistol loads for cartridges.    they don't put the 'max' under the rifle section like they do the 'magnum' in .357.   

at times you have to click on the little "get data"  icon.   they offer loads using w-296 ;  h-110 ;  and  H-4227.     

the loads will naturally have a greater velocity out of a rifle.

good luck,

ss'   

[handi243]

Shot the max today got 3/4 inch at 50 yards after about 7 shots. started with 19.0 gr of 296 loaded the 180 xtp in the last grove. Moved up by 1/2 gr at a time. The 3/4 group was with 20 gr. Loaded up some with 20.5 tonight i'll try them next week. No signs of pressure problems so far.

[handi243]

Shot the max again i think i found my load 20gr. of 296 under a 180 xtp in the last groove with small rifle primers. Shot under an 1/2 inch at 50yrds. Don't have a Chrono so can't tell you the vel.