.357 mag Handi load development.... an odd combo needed 180 at 1050

[Deavis]

Greetings:

Well my new Handi shoots so hopefully the load I come up with will too.

I want to push .357 180 XTPs out of .357 cases in a .357 handi cut down to 16.1" from its original 22". Gun is 1:15.5" twist I think.

I want to load them long for accuracy, hence using the .357 cases.

The rub is I want reliable accuracy at 1050 fps. (big bullet / medium twist / slow velocity - will it work?)

I am thinking AA#7, fast enough to burn up all the powder in the barrel and not outside in a 16" tube right?

Thoughts?

Anybody got a recipe or advice for this outcome?
 

[dpe.ahoy]

It should, how far ya gonna shoot?  Haven't used any A #7 and tend to run my 357's at full loads with LilGun powder.  Best way is to try and see, ya might want to post this on the Reloading section here on GBO.  DP

[briannmilewis]

Lee's Modern Reloading Second Edition shows a 357 Mag starting load: 11.7gr of ACC XMP5744 with a 180gr Barnes X Bullet at 1052 fps at the muzzle. But like they said, 357 Mag, L'il Gun and heavy bullets for caliber were made for each other.

[Dand]

Last week I loaded some 180gr Rem bullets in 357 cases. I used Alliant  2400 - don't recall the amount right now. I tried a real low load and some more .5 gr higher. Shot a 3 of the light loads out of my 2.25" SP101 and they were very mild - but I didn't take the chrono that day. I'll try more in my 4 inch security 6 but I suspect I want to put in more powder.  Don't know if this helps your situation. I wasn't looking for a max load but an upper medium load with that bullet. Looking at manuals with 180 gr bullets, loads were all over the map so I decided to start low and work up carefully.

[Catfish]

Should work. Sierra shows their 180 gr. bullet at 1,350 through an 18 1/2 in. barrel with AA # 7.

[Sixgun]

I have found AA5744 to give excellant accuracy with most cast bullets in a 357 rifle.  If I was trying to get the results you are looking for, I would go with AA5744 first. 

Another good one is Unique.  It is always consistant.

Sixgun

[singleVI]

Short story, I'm having a 357 mag barrel put on my handi rifle too. Cutting it to 16 1/4 and crowning it myself with a Brownells kit. I want to shoot 180gr XTPs at high velocities, accurately. What powder would be best for this? Thanks

[Steve P]

Unique and AA#9 would be my choices.  Possibly AA1680.  I would look for accuracy before velocity.

Steve

[Badnews Bob]

Short story, I'm having a 357 mag barrel put on my handi rifle too. Cutting it to 16 1/4 and crowning it myself with a Brownells kit. I want to shoot 180gr XTPs at high velocities, accurately. What powder would be best for this? Thanks

H 110 or win 296 prolly.

[Dand]

I think the new Feb Mar Handloader had some mild loads for the 357 180  in Brian Pearce's colum. Can't find the issue right now.

Oops found the issue but don't see the data I thought was there. Mr. Vandenburg has some 357 loads with the new Alliant Power Pro 300-MP but they look full power.  And there is an extensive update on the 38 special. Sorry.

[manatee1947]

I have a Lee 357 mold that throws 185 gr roundnose cast from wheelweights. I looke at my old Lyman book (circa 1967) for heavy bullet loads. They had one with a 195 gr that replaced the old 200gr factory round. I am using 38 special cases, I seat the bullet way out there, to a 1.590 oal, the same as a 357. I used 3.7 gr of unique, or 5.5 gr of Blue Dot. Both shot 5 under an inch @ 50 yds. I intend to have a friend chronograph them when the weather is better. I dont know about accuracy, but 8-9 gr of 2400 will give you that 1100 fps +- speed range you are looking for.That is in 357 brass, not the 38's.