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View Full Version : .357 Mag 180 gr. loads - will you share?



selmerfan
07-02-2008, 12:25 AM
I'm introducing a good friend to handloading and he'll be shooting my 180 gr. GC boolits cast from a SAECO #354 mold. He'll be running them through a Ruger New Model Blackhawk. Any suggestions on loads? I'm sizing them to .358", but I might have to get a .359" sizer for this gun, I can push .358" boolits through the cylinder forcing cone with a good amount of pressure, but I don't have to tap the boolit at all. Suggestions on proper sizing are welcome also...I've slugged the forcing cones at they come out at .358".
Selmerfan

Bass Ackward
07-02-2008, 06:33 AM
I use 6.5 grains of Unique for genral purpose. 12.5 grains of 2400 for serious work.

selmerfan
07-02-2008, 09:37 AM
I don't have any 2400, but I do have AA #9 and H110. The Unique load I will employ. Why does it seem like Unique is a great powder? I'm even using it in my rifles now!
Selmerfan

Old Ironsights
07-02-2008, 11:31 AM
15+ gr Lilgun. Play with it 'till it works for you.

missionary5155
07-11-2008, 06:18 PM
I'm introducing a good friend to handloading and he'll be shooting my 180 gr. GC boolits cast from a SAECO #354 mold. He'll be running them through a Ruger New Model Blackhawk. Any suggestions on loads? I'm sizing them to .358", but I might have to get a .359" sizer for this gun, I can push .358" boolits through the cylinder forcing cone with a good amount of pressure, but I don't have to tap the boolit at all. Suggestions on proper sizing are welcome also...I've slugged the forcing cones at they come out at .358".
Selmerfan

Greetiongs... If you are using the Unique load I would use the softest lead mix that will support the presure (a 1-3 mix of wheelwieght to pure lead should be about right)... it will bump up and fill the chambers.. unless you just want a .359 sizer:-D

JMax
07-11-2008, 06:28 PM
I have used 7.4 gr of Blue Dot in 38 cases for bowling pins with great effect. I moved to 230 gr WC bullets (an H&G mold) with 7 gr of Blue dot at near 900 ft/sec out of my S&W 27s. Great pin loads.

LeadThrower
07-16-2008, 07:06 PM
I'm developing a load for a 215 grainer and have loaded up to 10 gr AA#9 using CCI magnum primers with starline brass in my GP100. I tried a wheel of non-magnum primers and was left with a lot of unburned powder. My development went on hold, so I have no real data to report on the load other than that it went bang and grouped well at 25 yds at the local indoor range.

selmerfan
07-16-2008, 09:15 PM
I have a 215 gr. mold that I use in my .357 Max Encore barrel, but I haven't tried loading any .357 mag with it. Can't leave much powder room can it?
Selmerfan

missionary5155
07-17-2008, 12:06 PM
In my 357 Dan wesson I used a 180 gcrn with up to 18 gr of ww296 for smashing rams at 200 meters. But it was stout and the longer DW cylinder permited seating the bullet out to the first grease grove. Very accurate ! I use ww296 for most FULL power mag loads in all my revolvers. Clean, meters well, and has no surprises.

rmb721
07-17-2008, 01:55 PM
I use 12 grains of IMR-4227 with a Lee C-180-RF bullet that is very similar to the Saeco #354. I use this load for cowboy silhouette in a Marlin 1894, 357 Mag. I have shot this load in handguns also.

sd5782
11-20-2008, 11:16 AM
10.6gr of AA9 with standard primers gave me 1114fps with a NEI 175swcgc, and 1126 with the RCBS 180 rngc. Both from a 5" GP100. Low extreme spread on velocities also.

centershot
11-20-2008, 12:34 PM
I've been loading cast 180's over 11.0 of 2400 for the last couple of years. This load works well in my M28 and Security-six and gives an honest 1-1/4 ' group @ 100 yds from my 1894 carbine. velocity is 1100 from the handguns, a little over 1500 from the carbine.

centershot

bobthenailer
11-20-2008, 07:12 PM
i have the same bullet i use 12.0 of 820 & mag primer , 1450 fps from a rifle and about 1150 from a revolver, very accurate

fa38
11-22-2008, 11:39 AM
I shoot the SAECO #396 180 grain with 6.7 grs. of Herco out of my 50th Anniv. Ruger Flattop. 12 rounds into about 2.5 inches at 25 yards with 8 into about 1.5 inches, The 4 slightly out flyers were probably due to my eyes. They don't see so good any more.

dbldblu
11-22-2008, 08:31 PM
8.4 BlueDot under a plain base that I got from a commercial caster is an excellent load. It is kind of touchy; a little more powder or a little less and groups go to heck.

NHlever
11-22-2008, 10:49 PM
I'm using 13.5 grains of H110 behind both the Hornady 180 XTP, and the bulk Remington 180HP bullets. I would try that behind some cast boolits that weight if I had a mold......... :-) My loads shoot well, and show no excessive pressure signs in both my Winchester 94 357mag, and my Security Six revolvers.

crabo
11-23-2008, 12:05 AM
I really like 6.5 of HS6 and 7.0 of Unique in a magnum case in my Marlin 357. The HS6 has a tiny edge on the Unique.

For hotter loads, 13.5 of 296 gives great accuracy, and 12.8 of 2400 is great also. I have not tried LilGun yet.