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Author Topic: loading for the 357 max  (Read 1039 times)

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Offline Slowhanddd

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loading for the 357 max
« on: January 28, 2011, 06:24:38 AM »
I posted this in the reloading and haven't got a hit yet.So I'm trying here.I just reamed my 357 to a maxi.I have it shooting just a touch over a inch at 50yds using 180 Remy JHP with 21 gr.of H110.Now I'm trying to come up with a decent shooting load using 180gr.LFN boolits.I've tried 19,19.5 and 20 gr of H110,but the thing patterns instead of groups.Should I go higher or lower on powder.Is there a better powder for the lead?I have on hand AA1680,H110 and some 4198.Any ideas?It shoots 158 gr lead really well over a load of 20 gr.H110.Thanks Slow
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Offline quickdtoo

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Re: loading for the 357 max
« Reply #1 on: January 28, 2011, 06:30:18 AM »
How's the fit of one the cast bullets in a fired case? It should just barely fit, it it's loose, your bullets are sized too small.  ;)

Tim
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Offline Slowhanddd

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Re: loading for the 357 max
« Reply #2 on: January 28, 2011, 09:48:56 AM »
Actually Tim They wont fit in.That's what has me puzzled.Didn't try any lead through it before I reamed it out,so I have nothing to compare it too.The 158 lead,a buddy loaded,don't know the charge yet.They shoot about 1 1/2"at fifty.Maybe a little bigger.The 180 lead all all over more like a buck shot pattern.
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Offline petemi

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Re: loading for the 357 max
« Reply #3 on: January 28, 2011, 10:08:28 AM »
I had a bunch of 158 gr. SJHPs that I loaded over 24.0 gr. H110 and they shoot fine.  I have quite a bit of 180 gr. factory ammo for it, so I haven't played around with the 180s yet.  The weather has just been too rotten to get out and shoot.

Pete
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Offline quickdtoo

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Re: loading for the 357 max
« Reply #4 on: January 28, 2011, 11:10:27 AM »
Quote from: Slowhanddd on January 28, 2011, 09:48:56 AM
Actually Tim They wont fit in.That's what has me puzzled.Didn't try any lead through it before I reamed it out,so I have nothing to compare it too.The 158 lead,a buddy loaded,don't know the charge yet.They shoot about 1 1/2"at fifty.Maybe a little bigger.The 180 lead all all over more like a buck shot pattern.

Loaded close or even touching the lands, they should shoot better than that, how's the seating depth?

Scroll down to the Contender carbine article at the link below, maybe there's something there that will help.

Tim

http://shootingwithhobie.blogspot.com/2006_02_01_archive.html

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Offline Lon371

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Re: loading for the 357 max
« Reply #5 on: January 28, 2011, 11:36:08 AM »
 I use the 180 Hornady's with a max load of AA1680. It shoots great in my TC Contender and H&R that I reamed. I believe a lot folks here are shooting the same. But you need to start lower than max and work up to it  ;)

 Like Tim said check on the TC forum, several guys up there shooting the Maxi.  Also check on 357maximum.com Steve(site owner) is really helpful as well. He is also a member here.

Lonny
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Offline Slowhanddd

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Re: loading for the 357 max
« Reply #6 on: January 28, 2011, 12:02:15 PM »
Yep my 180 JHP's are shooting great.I've got some more loaded up,but I'm down with the gout.Don't feel like hobbling out there to shoot.Great day today too.Mid 70's.Last part of January in Kansas it's hard not to go out.Right foot feels like it's on fire.Don't know what set it off this time.Even been taking my pills.I'll check out that link in the T/C forum.Thanks guys.We'll get it figured out.
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Offline bikerbeans

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Re: loading for the 357 max
« Reply #7 on: January 28, 2011, 12:19:33 PM »
SH,

Are your 180 grain LFNs gas checked?  My Maxi 357 sprays all PB and BB cast lead boolits like buckshot but is about 1.5" @ 100 yards with 180 HP/XTPs.  My gun shoots the 158 grn HP/XTPs equally well.  As with your gun, my cast bullets are not undersized.  I just received a package of 200 grain LRNGCs from Western Bullets and will be using H110 (only powder I have used with the MAXI) to work up a load.  I will post what happens.

BB
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Offline Slowhanddd

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Re: loading for the 357 max
« Reply #8 on: January 28, 2011, 02:40:41 PM »
Nope not gas checked.That may be a problem I've never had with lead bullets.I've loaded lead before and never had gas checked ones.I've loaded 357,44mag,45colt and 45/70.Never encountered this problem.The 158 gr.LSWC that my buddy loaded aren't checked either and they shoot well.Winter project time.LOL.Snows headed back here the first of the week.In the 70's today and the high on monday is in the teens.
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Offline cwlongshot

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Re: loading for the 357 max
« Reply #9 on: January 28, 2011, 02:49:48 PM »
IMHO you hit the nail on the head. Powders like the H110/296 twins (and any med fast ball powder like them) are not a good choice for lead based bullets. the base of the bullet is a very important part for accuracy, the ball powders are very hot and melt the base more so than a powder like Unique which is a very lead bullet friendly powder. Al tho not the best for hi velocities.

Personally I think its fool hardy to push lead slugs to jacketed bullet velocities and terribly inaccurate unless they are gas checked.

Again, IMHO lead bullets are for lower velocities, unless cast super hard and/or cast fairly hard and gas checked. I have cast pure Linotype slugs and fired them in my long colts to quite high velocities with good accuracy and awesome penetration.

Try a different lead friendly powder, and accept the fact that only 75% of the jacketed velocity will be attained form your lead slugs and you will be quite content with the results. Keep the H110 for your jacketed loads.

CW
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Offline mechanic

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Re: loading for the 357 max
« Reply #10 on: January 28, 2011, 03:16:28 PM »
I've had good success with H110 and 180gr. XTP's.  Less than an inch @ 100.  I've also had reasonable success with 168gr. LFN with gas checks.  I'm only pushing them to 357 mag. velocities.  With them I get about 2" groups.  Believe it or not, my most accurate load is a 38spc. with a wadcutter over Bullseye.  At 50 yd.s it will almost leave a ragged hole.  I don't try them any further, as velocity won't allow it.

It's a fun caliber, play around and have fun with it, but for a serious hunting load, I'll be shooting jacketed..

Ben
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Offline cwlongshot

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Re: loading for the 357 max
« Reply #11 on: January 28, 2011, 03:37:10 PM »
Quote from: mechanic on January 28, 2011, 03:16:28 PM
I've had good success with H110 and 180gr. XTP's.  Less than an inch @ 100.  I've also had reasonable success with 168gr. LFN with gas checks.  I'm only pushing them to 357 mag. velocities.  With them I get about 2" groups.  Believe it or not, my most accurate load is a 38spc. with a wad cutter over Bullseye.  At 50 yd.s it will almost leave a ragged hole.  I don't try them any further, as velocity won't allow it.

It's a fun caliber, play around and have fun with it, but for a serious hunting load, I'll be shooting jacketed..

Ben

Just a quick note about HBWC bullets... PLEASE be careful loading them to higher velocities. The HB can and will tear off and could become lodged in your barrel. The nex bullet will be "startling" to say the least. Many people will not fire them from rifle barrels for similar reasons. In short, DO NOT HOT ROD THIS BULLET!!!!

CW
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Offline mechanic

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Re: loading for the 357 max
« Reply #12 on: January 28, 2011, 04:03:12 PM »
Quote from: cwlongshot on January 28, 2011, 03:37:10 PM
Quote from: mechanic on January 28, 2011, 03:16:28 PM
I've had good success with H110 and 180gr. XTP's.  Less than an inch @ 100.  I've also had reasonable success with 168gr. LFN with gas checks.  I'm only pushing them to 357 mag. velocities.  With them I get about 2" groups.  Believe it or not, my most accurate load is a 38spc. with a wad cutter over Bullseye.  At 50 yd.s it will almost leave a ragged hole.  I don't try them any further, as velocity won't allow it.

It's a fun caliber, play around and have fun with it, but for a serious hunting load, I'll be shooting jacketed..

Ben

Just a quick note about HBWC bullets... PLEASE be careful loading them to higher velocities. The HB can and will tear off and could become lodged in your barrel. The nex bullet will be "startling" to say the least. Many people will not fire them from rifle barrels for similar reasons. In short, DO NOT HOT ROD THIS BULLET!!!!

CW

You are correct CW.  I should have specified.  I'm loading gas checked WC's., I've had too much leading with the hollow base, even in a revolver.....

Ben
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Offline Slowhanddd

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Re: loading for the 357 max
« Reply #13 on: January 28, 2011, 04:47:10 PM »
Thanks guys.I'll continue with my JHP's and be happy.It's a fun gun to shoot.Just wanted to try some lead and see what would happen.Didn't think about the gas checks as I have never had problems with ou them before.Slow
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Offline yukondog

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Re: loading for the 357 max
« Reply #14 on: January 28, 2011, 06:23:45 PM »
Jacketed shoot great out of mine [speer 180 FP] but the only lead I'v shot is 200 gr hard cast gas checked and they dont do so well, will try cw's idea with unique and slow them down a bit.
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Offline cwlongshot

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Re: loading for the 357 max
« Reply #15 on: January 29, 2011, 01:36:27 AM »
Quote from: yukondog on January 28, 2011, 06:23:45 PM
Jacketed shoot great out of mine [speer 180 FP] but the only lead I've shot is 200 gr hard cast gas checked and they don't do so well, will try cw's idea with unique and slow them down a bit.

Morning,
 While I am sure Unique will work, it was more of a universally accepted good lead bullet powder then an actual suggestion. There are a number of powders of near identical burn rates that are better suited to lead slugs than the hot, magnum pistol powders.

I have liked PB, SR 4756, 4227, Unique, HS6, Blue dot is getting slower, but could also be OK and SR7625. NOT necessarily in the Maxi, but in 357, 41, 44 and 45 colt lead loads. As a rule I don't fire many lead loads from my maxis.

CW
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