360 DW

[yukondog]

anybody hunt with 360 DW out of there 357 handy? If so how did it do,what bullet? I'm getting about 1.5" @ 100yrd using hornady 180 xtp/hp.

[bluebayou]

not yet.  going to try some new H110 loads with it this week (hopefully)

I mistakenly bought some 140 XTP's wanting a light load for the kid.  Am having misgivings since everyone seems to use 158 JSP or 180 SP's. 

[MSP Ret]

I was using them in my .357 Mag Handi and then had it reamed out to .357 Max, well one of my .357 Mags became a .357 Max and the other became a .35 Remington ( ). I still shoot the .360 DW's out of it and IIRC they are 180's but I forget which bullet right now. The .360 DW out of a standard .357 Mag Handi with a long throat is just about as good for deer and large varmints as a .357 Max as far as I can tell. Of course a lot depends on the load and bullet as well as the shooter. I have however always preferred half jacket flat point soft points to HP's. This goes way back to my preference on a local PD for Remington 158 Grain Half jacket SP's in my S&W Model 19 .357 Mag revolver. That decision was made after much research and actual shooting at the range, and I still like that load....<><....

[Badnews Bob]

I haven't yet but I think it would work well, I've taken several nice deer with my Ruger GP100 5" revolver using 180gr cast bullets, Seems to reason then that a rifle loaded a little stouter should work great.

[jpshaw]

I'm trying to use the 180 XTP with H110 in mine.  Loaded up some with 20.6 which I found on the internet for the revolver at 1350 fps.  Don't use it.  I fired three shots.  1st one was hard to open the action with a protruded primer, the 2nd was easier to open with the same primer problem but the 3rd actually blew the primer.  Thats when I stopped.  I will pull the bullets and find a safer load.  Maybe MSP Ret could help us both on this round.   Let me know what powder and charge you are using.  I would be happy with 1.5 at 100 yds with the XTP.

[PHATINJUN]

do a search on here also there is some info already written about the DW360 . Kurt

[cwlongshot]

I trying to use the 180 XTP with H110 in mine.  Loaded up some with 20.6 which I found on the internet for the revolver at 1350 fps.  Don't use it.  I fired three shots.  1st one was hard to open the action with a protruded primer, the 2nd was easier to open with the same primer problem but the 3rd actually blew the primer.  Thats when I stopped.  I will pull the bullets and find a safer load.  Maybe MSP Ret could help us both on this round.   Let me know what powder and charge you are using.  I would be happy with 1.5 at 100 yds with the XTP.

 WOW.. even with out your explination that load sounds WAY HOT!!! 1350 from a REVOLVER!!!!? 1100-1150fps is more like it, as you know revolvers are vented barrels, so top vel are never attained in one. With an advertised 1350 from one with really be 75-150FPS MORE in a reg barrel. Thats pushing 1500fps. There ain't a 357 mag that can come close to that number!!! I would NEVER use there data again!!! Please BE CAREFUL of where you get your loads!!!!!Something I do when getting possible erronious <sp> data, is to cross referance with a couple other sources. Heck, you could even post up here and ask. PLENTY of us have alot of experience to get more accurate info.

 My first excursion into handgun hunting came with a then new Colt Whitetailer. It was an 8" barreled 357mag. I shot a couple does with that gun and a 140 Speer HP bullt and H110 powder. I used 19 grs IIRC, that got me a bit over 1200fps. THAT was fairly hot load with flattened primers, but smooth extraction. So your 20.5gr load combinedwith an almost 30% heavier bullet... . Like I first mentioned...WOW, I'm VERY happy your still here and have use of your hands!!!

 I fooled with the  140XTP when it came out and at revolver velocities it performed well. I also really like the 158 FP XTP in the Marlin 357 Carbine. Opens up well and penetrates better than most. In the pistol its a bit too tough, save it for a case with more cap, like the Maxi.I dont like to use of 180's in the 357mag. The 170 is my max weight for it and that only in a rifle carbine. The 180 in a rifle/carbine its OK if you keep the range short, but the mag case just lacks the powder cap to carry enough powder to get the bullet moving to retain good/humaine vel/energy numbers. IMHO in a carbine/rifle your better off with that 158FP/SP HP's tend to open up too quick, unless the shot is longer but then energy is down. So a humaine kill is less probable. In a pistol that 140XTP is good medicine.
 I haven't fooled with the 360 so cannot comment on its performance, but if as others have said its right on the heels of the Maxi it too should be fine.

CW

[quickdtoo]

Oops, I forgot the topic was the 360DW!! 

Tim

[jpshaw]

The 360 DW is between the .357 mag and the .357 Maximum and should take a higher load then the .357 mag.  I was loading the 180 XTP on the first (nearest the base) crimping grove for more case volume and have the bullet closer to the rifling.  I'm still waiting for a load for the XTP and H110 and a ballpark extimate on the fps from a 22" barrel.

[quickdtoo]

Handloads.com has a good list of loads to work on.

Tim

http://www.handloads.org/loaddata/default.asp?Caliber=360%20Dan%20Wesson&Weight=All&type=Handgun&Order=Powder&Source=

[quickdtoo]

I found the data you used JP, what primers did you use? Primers could make a difference.  You could load them longer to reduce the pressure some, there's no need to seat to the crimp groove since they don't need to be crimped. But the best thing to do is reduce the load and work up. As CW pointed out, revolvers will produce less pressure due to the cylinder to barrel jump, that doesn't happen in a rifle barrel.

Tim

http://www.lasc.us/RangingShotDanWesson360Revolver.htm

[yukondog]

jp I'm using H-110 17.7gr. OAL of 1.715" rem 7.5 primer 1840 fps. start low and work up.

[jpshaw]

jp I'm using H-110 17.7gr. OAL of 1.715" rem 7.5 primer 1840 fps. start low and work up.

I think I will work up to this load.  1840 would be fine with me if its accurate out of my Handi.  I'm dumping the 20.6 loads.  I made of about 20.  Actually it was quite accurate also but too hot.

[cwlongshot]

I have to disagree with Tim on the crimping.
 When using a powder like the ballistic twins, (H110/W296) crimping makes for a MUCH more consistent load. These powders can be hard to ignite and the little extra bit of bullet retention, a good crimp affords, goes along way to reliable and consistent ignition. We all know consistency is key to many things including accurate shooting.

I do agree seating the bullet out longer will lower pressures. BUT remember, your in the unknown waters, pressures, like flood waters rise fast. Please be careful!!

CW

[MSP Ret]

jpshaw, I am off to work now but I will try to dig up my .360 DW load info and get back to you. I have moved everything down to my newly constructed gun locker in the cellar and will have to find it....<><....

added info: Off the top of my head, and IIRC, my .360 loads may have used W296 powder...something I had on hand and I could find load info for...

[jpshaw]

I found the data you used JP, what primers did you use? Primers could make a difference.

The primers are CCI  450 small rifle magnum.  I'm actually loading about as far out as I can get.  Not to worry those 20.6 rounds are going to be pulled.  I'm working on another starting in the low 17s with H110 that I got from yucondog.  I was in a hurry to have a load and started too hot.  Been loading for 35 years and have never done that before.  cwlongshot - I always crimp heavier loads for consistant ignition.

[quickdtoo]

I believe crimping helps in consistency too, but I use the Lee Factory crimp die to achieve it which doesn't need a crimp groove, it'll crimp on the shank of the bullet too and when dealing with long throats it's real handi!! 

Tim

[cwlongshot]

I believe crimping helps in consistency too, but I use the Lee Factory crimp die to achieve it which doesn't need a crimp groove, it'll crimp on the shank of the bullet too and when dealing with long throats it's real handi!! 

Tim

 As you know Tim, I'm no fan of LEE or the "Factory Crimp" thingy ma bob. Its voodoo reloading to me.
 
 If I'm gonna crimp its gonna be in a canalure, if one is not available, either I don't load it or I turn a canalure into the bullet. IE the red tipped, 250gr muzzle loader bullets we so much adore.  Not having a canalure where I need it is SUCH and infrequent occurrence its hardly worth mentioning.

CW

[quickdtoo]

You'd be in the minority there CW, the Lee FCD is overwhelmingly one of their most popular offerings, along with their case trimmers.

Tim

[jpshaw]

I also use the Lee "Factory crimp".  In the XTP I'm actually crimping in the grove but I don't always use the grove.

[cwlongshot]

You'd be in the minority there CW, the Lee FCD is overwhelmingly one of their most popular offerings, along with their case trimmers.

Tim

 I'll stay here on the other side of the fence.  

 As I have said before, the stuff works for the SHORT TERM. Little or infrequient use its just fine. For the beginner it a fairly complete and inexpensive way to the wonderful hobby of reloading. But load alot and often, and your be paying AGAIN for real equiptment, soon enough. Time and again this has proven out. Time will prove it again. I'll not be alone for very long.  

Somethings you just cannot avoid. One is, you always seem to get what you pay for.

CW

[quickdtoo]

Don't make this another Lee bashing thread, there are plenty of those in the Handloading forum! 

Tim

[cwlongshot]

Nope, not at all.
 Thought I was clear:

^{As I have said before, the stuff works for the SHORT TERM. Little or infrequent use its just fine. For the beginner it a fairly complete and inexpensive way to the wonderful hobby of reloading.}

Remember, I have sold this stuff FOR YEARS AND YEARS. I'm not drawing conclusions on one persons opinion here.

CW