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Author Topic: powder for 357max  (Read 1259 times)

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Offline original

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powder for 357max
« on: November 05, 2010, 08:58:12 AM »
i though i would post this here being it is probably more specific to the handi than general reloading.   i got the brass in the mail and the hornady 180grain xtp's.  i was not sure if everyone loading for the max was using 38cal bullets or ones for the 35 so i just got the .357 ones.   i also saw that most people like the aa1680 powder.   no one near me has any and both places said they cant even get it.    is there another powder that people are having good luck with for the 180grain?   i did see a post somewhere before that mentioned lil gun??  the bottle for that said shotgun powder?? is the 1680 also a shotgun powder?   thanks again
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Offline bikerbeans

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Re: powder for 357max
« Reply #1 on: November 05, 2010, 09:26:22 AM »
Original,

I have been loading 158 & 180 grain HP/XTPs over H110 for my 357 Max.  In my gun the 180s have better accuracy.  I used the load data from Hodgdon's website for the 357 Max, which is pistol data.  The most accurate load in my gun turned out to be at the minimum powder charge.  Hodgdon also lists loads for the 357 max with IMR4227.

From the folks that have posted it seems the AA1680 is the powder of choice for the 357 Max.  I have seen loads using lil' gun but I don't remember what the source is.  

The Lyman and Hornady reload manuals both have 357 Max data.

Good Luck,

BB
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Offline original

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Re: powder for 357max
« Reply #2 on: November 05, 2010, 09:37:38 AM »
thanks for the info.  powder choices are pretty limited around here.   i will have to take a look at some of the books, right now i only have the lee manual.  i was just checking to see what luck others have had with a different powder.   i am still not sure if people are using the bullets for a 357(38cal  .357 pistol) or a 35cal rifle(.358?) in the 180 grain?   thanks again. 
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Offline Airsporter

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Re: powder for 357max
« Reply #3 on: November 05, 2010, 11:07:50 AM »
Quote from: original on November 05, 2010, 08:58:12 AM
 no one near me has any and both places said they cant even get it.

Where do you live that you can't get AA1680?
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Offline steve@357maximum.com

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Re: powder for 357max
« Reply #4 on: November 05, 2010, 11:40:11 AM »
Original,
Some of us use .357 dia. and some .358.  The XTP was designed with the pistol shooter in mind hence the .357 diameter.  Bullets like the Hornady SSPB were thinking more of the .35 Remington in T/C Contenders so they are .358.  You can safely use either diameter in your .357 Max.  I prefer the .358" Hornady 180 gr SSPB and the .358 Horndady 200 gr .358 FTX.  As far as powders, Hodgdon H110, Win 296, Hodgdon Lil Gun, Hodgdon and IMR 4227, and Viht N-120 are all in the range that would work for the .357 Maximum.  Having said that, I am biased toward Accurate 1680 and I think it would be worth your effort to find some and try it.
Hodgdon Lil Gun was being marketed toward the .410 shotgun.  H110 is another excellent .410 shotgun powder.  I have not heard much of 1680 being used in the .410, possibly because it's a bit slower burning than Lil Gun and H110.  FYI, H110 and W296 are the same powder, different labels.
Good Shooting,
Steve
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Offline yukondog

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Re: powder for 357max
« Reply #5 on: November 05, 2010, 11:45:30 AM »
I'v had good luck with W-296 and H-110 so far they are the only 2 powders I'v used.In mine I shoot the 180 xtp and speer 180 PSP .358" bullets. Good luck and let us know how it does.
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Offline original

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Re: powder for 357max
« Reply #6 on: November 05, 2010, 12:03:38 PM »
thanks for all the info.   i will have to see which of those powders i can find in the area then find load data for the max for that powder .   i live in philadelphia pa so it is not really all that many shops carrying reloading stuff unless i want to drive 2 hours away.   
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Offline cwlongshot

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Re: powder for 357max
« Reply #7 on: November 05, 2010, 12:51:05 PM »
Quote from: original on November 05, 2010, 12:03:38 PM
 I live in Philadelphia PA. so it is not really all that many shops carrying reloading stuff unless i want to drive 2 hours away.  

 ;D PSSSST.... Its worth the drive!!   ::) ::) ;)

CW
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Offline Big Blue

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Re: powder for 357max
« Reply #8 on: November 05, 2010, 02:12:27 PM »
Quote from: original on November 05, 2010, 12:03:38 PM
i live in philadelphia pa so it is not really all that many shops carrying reloading stuff unless i want to drive 2 hours away.   

The Valley Forge gun show usually has powder for sale. I think TNT Reloading from Stockerton(near Easton) sets up there.
Don
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Offline Dinny

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Re: powder for 357max
« Reply #9 on: November 05, 2010, 05:05:06 PM »
Cabelas will ship the powder to your door with a $20 hazmat fee. I placed an order that was over $100 and used my $20 off coupon to pay for the hazmat fee. It was well worth it. ;)

Thanks, Dinny
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Offline mike@nds

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Re: powder for 357max
« Reply #10 on: November 06, 2010, 04:12:03 AM »
I use 18 grains of H110 with the 180gr. XTP.

It's very accurate, 1.5" @ 100 with my NDS-38 peep sight.
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Offline jbmabrey3

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Re: powder for 357max
« Reply #11 on: November 08, 2010, 11:54:51 PM »
I use VV n120-hard to get-it sells out pretty fast-you can order from importer- http://www.vihtavuori-lapua.com/shipping.php

Natchez and Midway list it as discontinued but they refer to the 2lb bottle.
Very popular with some savage ml shooters-myself included.
reloading data can be gotten here- http://www.vihtavuori-lapua.com/pdfs/Handgun-Reloading-Data-2006.pdf

here is good website for more info-- http://357maximum.com/

Here is a gun shop about 30 min. from Philly-- http://www.millersgunshop.com/
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Offline cwlongshot

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Re: powder for 357max
« Reply #12 on: November 09, 2010, 01:38:39 AM »
1680 has proven to be a good one for long barrel maxis. But it's certainly not the only powder that will perform. As I Saigon PMs RL7 is a good one. It's pretty bulky and you can't get enough in the case for top vel numbers but it does well compressed. The 4227 brothers are another good choice. Persoanlly I haven't gotten top accuracy from typical magnum hand gun powders like the twins 296/H110 and #9. Lil gun was a bit better but none compared to aa1680 in my contender or handi.
BUT as I have said many times every barrel is it's own likes and dislikes. We can make suggestions. But Your gonna need to do the work to see what yours likes.

Have fun, CW
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Offline Airsporter

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Re: powder for 357max
« Reply #13 on: November 09, 2010, 10:39:39 AM »
Here's a few more AA1680 sources:

Wideners is currently out of 1# but has has 8# (under $15/#):  http://www.wideners.com/itemview.cfm?dir=278|283|307

Graf & Sons:  http://www.grafs.com/retail/catalog/product/productId/198

Midway:  http://www.midwayusa.com/viewProduct/?productNumber=711889

Natchez:  http://www.natchezss.com/product.cfm?contentID=productDetail&brand=AA&prodID=AA16801&prodTitle=Accurate Powder 1680 1 lb

You have to pay shipping + a $20 hazmat fee, so load up on primers too when you order.  IIRC, you can go up to 50# for a single fee.
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Offline rangerwillie

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Re: powder for 357max
« Reply #14 on: November 09, 2010, 01:47:30 PM »
http://www.reloadammo.com/reload.htm

try this site, some good load info.   dan
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Offline canon6

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Re: powder for 357max
« Reply #15 on: November 09, 2010, 01:55:02 PM »
All of my heavy loads, for both the 357 and the 357 Max have been with 183  gr WFNGC and LilGun.In my  rifles Rossi '92's and Handi's it seems to work the best.   Doug
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Offline nova71

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Re: powder for 357max
« Reply #16 on: November 10, 2010, 06:24:35 AM »
what about a light load ? I want to load some 125gr for varmints but the site Dan listed says use nothing lighter than 158gr and my manual doesn't list a load for AA1680 in the light load bullets. has anyone tried AA1680 with light bullets?.......... Larry
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Offline Smokin Joe

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Re: powder for 357max
« Reply #17 on: November 10, 2010, 06:41:21 AM »
Try Reloader 7
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Offline dpe.ahoy

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Re: powder for 357max
« Reply #18 on: November 10, 2010, 05:50:53 PM »
You will have better luck with a faster powder using the 125's.  Accurate 9, H-110/W 296 should work better with that weight bullet.  DP
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