357 mag 200 gr

[BrutalAB]

Been a lurker here for a long time. Decided it was time to add back to the community, and what better way than to show off my favorite boolit design. The 200 grain rnfp by rcbs. If it makes any difference I cast with the lee copy because it was my second mold and I was still very new to the hobby, didn't know any better and whatnot. My Henry big boy loves this boolit. Will group them in 1.25 inches at 125 ish yards for 5 shots.
Just got done loading up some casted out of stick on wheel weights in prep for this season.
I have tested these in milk jugs for penetration and expansion results were impressive. Got caught in the 7th gallon jug and nearly doubled in diameter.
Boolit weighs 209 grains after coating and weighed 208.8 after being shot.

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[shoot-n-lead]

That is interesting.

Seems to be impressive penetration from near pure lead.

[farmerjim]

Did you load it in 38 brass? I could not get the lee 358-200-RF to chamber if loaded into 357 brass. It works fine in 38 sp brass and is too long to chamber in my 38's. The RCBS version may seat deeper so that it will chamber.
The Lee is listed as a 35 rem boolit, not .357 mag.

[OS OK]

Welcome abord here Brut...but...we need the rest of the story too...if you know these details, post them also. Others will have more to work with when contemplating either a new profile or a new mix or powder or Pb. By the way, you don't have to excuse yourself for using the Lee mold, there is nothing wrong there.

So, if you know...what FPS, what powder and load did you use?

[BrutalAB]

Did you load it in 38 brass? I could not get the lee 358-200-RF to chamber if loaded into 357 brass. It works fine in 38 sp brass and is too long to chamber in my 38's. The RCBS version may seat deeper so that it will chamber.
The Lee is listed as a 35 rem boolit, not .357 mag.

It is indeed in 357 mag brass I seat them to 1.640 oal, crimp them on the nose rather than cannelure. Chronograph has them going 1250 fps 4 feet from muzzel. 9.3 grains of no.9 started out with lee liquid alox but switched to powder coat a while back and no looking back. Equal accuracy out of both lubes methods just no mess with pc. I can't chamber these in my revolver as loaded due to pal, nose pokes out of cylinder.

[quilbilly]

Welcome to the group. I load that boolit into 357 max brass and at an mv of 1650 fps, it has amazing penetration at 40 yards into soaked compressed phone books.

[pworley1]

Welcome! Very nicely done post.

[jmort]

Great thread/OP. Impressive.

[BrutalAB]

Might be worth noting that chronograph and accuracy was from a harder alloy usually 25 to 50 % clip ons. Which is my normal choice for plinking since it is much easier to cast with.
I hope to accuracy test the pure lead this weekend, but working 60 hours a week doesn't leave much time.
And the comment about the lee is because I have since used noe, Lyman and rcbs molds and experienced how much nicer they are to cast with. Due mainly to the spurs plate coming loose on the lee constantly.

[runfiverun]

easy enough to fix with a drill and a tap and an allen head type screw.

[Gohon]

I've got the Lee 358-200-FP mold and have been experimenting with it for a couple weeks now. Last session was using 357 magnum brass, seated at 1.60. Loads were WW296 at 13.0, 13.2, 13.4, and 13.6 grains. Speeds were 1462, 1503, 1527, and 1543 FPS respectfully from the Marlin 1894C. Groups at 50 yards were 0.63, 1.41, 1.27, and 1.28 inch again respectfully. Bullets were powder coated and though seated deep with the crimp out on the nose, they showed no signs of over pressure. I think the groups would have been much better with a better shooter than I or at leas a better rest than I was using. Next tests will be with 2400 powder to see how the performs. Might also use H110 and I know everyone says H110 and WW296 are the same, but they sure shoot different in my guns with the same loads.

[BrutalAB]

Ive tried a couple of loads with h110 and wasnt too happy with the accuracy. However, I have since realized that my scope was likely loose during some of my test around that time frame. I think it's worth revisiting since you have decent results from it. I'm liking that extra velocity.