Author Topic: 357 max (Read 730 times)

Bim · « **on:** May 09, 2004, 05:56:31 AM »

I pondering on getting a 10" .357 max. Can anyone give me some info on it. Can you reload it with reg. .357 dies? Range for deer sized targets? Loads?
Thanks

drichi · « **Reply #1 on:** May 09, 2004, 07:13:49 AM »

Yes you can load it with 357 mag dies. The only problem that I ran into was with seating hornady 180 grain ssp bullets. Some seater plugs do not fit them well. I had rcbs make a seater plug to fit them properly. I think it was $12.00 or $15.00, worked very well. You just have to send them 3 bullets and a money order. I did have very good luck with lil gun powder and the 180 grain hornady xtp bullet also. I think that a firm crimp with a lee factory crimp die helps on good powder burn also. The same crimp die works for 357 mag as well as the max. I do really love this in a 10" barrel. dave :grin:

Dtrux · « **Reply #2 on:** May 09, 2004, 07:39:46 AM »

Dave,
What kind of load did you use with the Lil Gun? Do you crimp at the top cannelure or the bottom?

It's hard to find info on Lil Gun for this caliber. I shoot it in a revolver and I use 18.5gr with a Rem 180gr bullet...its not a max load (at least no pressure signs), but I get 1500+ out of an 8" barrel....

Thanks
Al

skb2706 · « **Reply #3 on:** May 09, 2004, 07:47:32 AM »

With my RCBS 357 mag dies I can load 357 maxs and like was said the seater punch commonly doesnot fit pointed bullets well. But with RCBS being into the customer service.....as usual I called they sent me a whole bag full of different ones for 35 caliber. ....at the usual "no charge"....I ened up with one that fit 180 SSP bullets quite well.

drichi · « **Reply #4 on:** May 10, 2004, 08:34:27 AM »

I have been using 21.6 of lil gun with 180 hornady. been using cci400 primer and crimp in lower groove. this load has shown excellent accuracy with the hornady 180 ssp bullet also. dave

Lone Star · « **Reply #5 on:** May 10, 2004, 03:30:05 PM »

Hornady SSP bullets only have one cannelure. Their manual lists 21.6 grains of Lil'Gun as a max load with 180 grain bullets.

Bim · « **Reply #6 on:** May 11, 2004, 12:42:12 AM »

Dave do you use this barrel for hunting?

drichi · « **Reply #7 on:** May 11, 2004, 05:16:24 AM »

I think that this is a 100 yard deer cartridge. don"t think I would streach the range to much beyond that. dave

Dragon31 · « **Reply #8 on:** May 11, 2004, 02:03:58 PM »

I shoot the Max a lot and have killed a number of deer with it from 10 yards to a little over 175 yards (most were 50 yards more or less). My barrel is 14 inchs and I use a 180 gr SSP from Hornady pushed by surplus WC 680, ignited by a small rifle primer. I have not cronographed it but it should be around 1800 ft per second. My experience is that the cartridge's range exceeds my ability to shoot. If I could shoot better I would say it's an easy deer killer to 150 yards. My ballistics program list 172 yards Max Point Blank range for this bullet, load and kill zone.

Lawful Larry · « **Reply #9 on:** May 21, 2004, 04:09:44 AM »

Has anyone worked up any ballistics data on the various barrel lengths? Or is there any data in print anywhere?

I am considering getting the .357 Max and would like to know this info if available.

Thanx,
LL

skb2706 · « **Reply #10 on:** May 21, 2004, 06:58:24 AM »

as soon as I can get mine out and the wind isn't blowin so hard I can give you some comparison data based on my carbine length 22" barrel. I am using the same 180 SSP but between new cases that are splitting (Remington conceded they were not anealled properly and made arrangments to replace them)and windy days on the prairie I haven't been able to work with it much.

Gregory · « **Reply #11 on:** May 21, 2004, 07:29:40 AM »

Quote from: Lawful Larry

Has anyone worked up any ballistics data on the various barrel lengths? Or is there any data in print anywhere?

I am considering getting the .357 Max and would like to know this info if available.

Thanx,
LL

My Lyman reloading manual lists MV for loads in both 10" and 14" barrels.
I can get 1600 fps with the 180 Horn XTP out of my ten inch barrel.