Anybody load 357Maxium for Ruger Blackhawk

[jays375]

Recently purchased a Ruger Blackhawk 7 1/2" barrel chambered in 357 Maxium.Haven't did anything with it and was looking for a good load for it.I know you have to use the heavier bullets or you will do damage to the gun.I know I will be shooting 38s and 357 Magnums through it also.Got a good deal on it NIB but I am no collector so it will be used.

[Lon371]

 You may try posting your question down on the Handloader forum. Several folks in there load the .357 max 
http://www.gboreloaded.com/forums/index.php/board,46.0.html

Lonny

[10gaugeMS^_^]

Midwayusa has one load from grizzly ammunition in that caliber

[Merle]

Recently purchased a Ruger Blackhawk 7 1/2" barrel chambered in 357 Maxium.Haven't did anything with it and was looking for a good load for it.I know you have to use the heavier bullets or you will do damage to the gun.I know I will be shooting 38s and 357 Magnums through it also.Got a good deal on it NIB but I am no collector so it will be used.

You are correct about the heavy bullets. Lighter bullets caused flame cutting of the top strap, but it was self-limiting and usually stopped after a certain depth. IIRC, some guns had an eyebrow" cut that eliminated the problem.

I had my best success with Sierra 180 gr and IMR 4227 powder. I had the most problems with cast bullets - I never could get consistent velocities out of them. I believed the problem was insufficent bullet pull for complete combustion, so I went back to jacketed.

    

[jays375]

Now I was told on another forum that if IMR 4227 was made in Austraila it is actually H4227.Which I never tried H4227 in anything yet but 445SM.I use IMR4227 in my 44 mag and have had good results.

[Merle]

Now I was told on another forum that if IMR 4227 was made in Austraila it is actually H4227.Which I never tried H4227 in anything yet but 445SM.I use IMR4227 in my 44 mag and have had good results.

In this case "H" stands for Hodgon. They have a number of powders with a designation similar to IMR powders. They are very similar to, but not always exactly interchangeable with, their IMR counterparts.
IIRC, they were made in Europe in the past, but who knows about today?

    

[ole 5 hole group]

I don’t shoot 38’s or 357’s in mine – just load down if you want lite recoil/muzzle jump.  180 to 200 grain bullets work extremely well in the 357 Maximum.  If you like jacketed bullets the 180 grain XTP behind 20 grains of IMR4227 is a good load but it is considered MAX.  The book calls for starting at 18.0 grains with 20 max.  I get tighter groups with 20 grains. 

If you haven’t already done so, check your throats on that revolver and see if they are all consistent, as some run from 0.355 to 0.358 in the same revolver. 

[jcn59]

7.5" Ruger Max. 100 yards (measured) over bags, iron sights. ~~~ Yes, I know many of you can do better off hand over your shoulder with a mirror, but the reason I took this pic was it is near a miracle that I could actually shoot this well with irons.  The gun is very accurate.

[ole 5 hole group]

You’re probably pushing a little over 1,600fps with that load and using open sights at 100 yards rested – that’s a fair group.
 
If you have any N110 – try 16.5 grains with the 180 grain and see how that works for ya.

[Catfish]

If it`s NIB I would not shoot it. The reason Ruger quit makeing it was because top straps were being cut by the blast between the cylinder and the barrel. If your not a collector sell it to one and use the money to buy another gun.

[ole 5 hole group]

If it`s NIB I would not shoot it. The reason Ruger quit makeing it was because top straps were being cut by the blast between the cylinder and the barrel. If your not a collector sell it to one and use the money to buy another gun.

The flame cutting wasn't all that bad and it occurred with light bullets in front of ball powders.  Stay with 158 grain and heavier bullets and I doubt you'll see any cutting.  Some of my "heavy" revolvers have some cutting on the top strap but its minor and of no concern.  My latest Maxi has only had 180 grainers down the pipe and there is no flame cutting mark.  If he would want to sell it - there are plenty of people looking for the Maxi, both as a build revolver and just to own one for its great versatility in the field.  I would be interested in another one, as there aren't that many stretch frames around for a decent price. 

[jays375]

I bought this gun because of the caliber.Already knew the history behind the problems with them and light bullets.Plus I couldn't pass it up for the price at a gun show believe it or not.Think when I first saw it the price was $750.Figured before I left would ask what it could be bought for.Must have been my lucky day because when I asked the dealer how much he said give me $600.Couldn't reach for my wallet fast enough.That was with tax and fees plus a box of ammo.He said he had a very good weekend and carried it around long enough.He and his wife were very nice people and we chatted for some time.My local shop owner was mad because he was there a half hour after me and didn't get it.I basically buy guns for the calibers not collectablitly.

[ole 5 hole group]

Good for you Jays375 - that maximum is one great caliber and Remington cases are currently available commerically in quantity.

Just check your revolver's cylinder throats with pin gauges and if you have a cylinder with inconsistent throats and you experience a flyer or two just ream them to a uniform diameter.  Either 0.3570, 0.3575 or 0.3580 will do just fine.  If you can't do it yourself, a good gunsmith should be able to.  I use Jim Stroh of Alpha Precision but there are dozens of other great smiths who can get the job done.

Happy New Year

[spinafish]

a great price..a local gun shop had one that was used, but not abused..he sold it on-line for a $1000.

[S.B.]

Can't imagine what the muzzle report out of one of these things is like, the standard .357 magnums(without hearing protection) is enough to keep me out of conversations for several hours.
Steve