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View Full Version : Big boolits in 357 mag: how big? loads?



brewer12345
01-01-2019, 07:37 PM
I have been mostly loading boolits up to 165 grains for 357 in revolver and rifle thus far and by and large they do what I want them to do (chiefly punch paper). However, since I already cast solids for my 35 Rem and (if the run is ever actually done) will be casting hollow points for the same rifle with the Mihec group buy, it occurs to me to wonder if these big slugs could safely be loaded in 357 mag. The solids come out at 212 grains with the check. Looks like the hollow points are supposed to cast at 190 grains plus a few. Is it foolhardy to even consider loading these in a 357 mag case? I have to think that a 195 grain hollow point in the rifle would be good pig medicine if the velocities can get high enough with the boolit seated deep enough to feed.

MT Gianni
01-01-2019, 08:00 PM
Which rifle? What you can chamber in a single shot depends on the throat. IME it's tough to fit anything bigger than a 180 in a lever.

brewer12345
01-01-2019, 08:26 PM
Which rifle? What you can chamber in a single shot depends on the throat. IME it's tough to fit anything bigger than a 180 in a lever.

The rifle is a Rossi. The revolver is a security six.

GhostHawk
01-01-2019, 10:38 PM
200 gr gas checked in my H&R single shot .357mag in .360DW cases were my most accurate. 3 in one hole at 50 yards.

158 gr plain base round noses were a close second.

Go as big as you can stabilize, if you see keyholing or shotgun patterns drop a notch.

beagle
01-01-2019, 10:42 PM
I've used the Lyman 35875 (207 grains) and the Lyman 358430 (around 200 grains) in a .357 Blackhawk as well as a Marlin M1894.

You have to be careful with seating depth versus pressure in the Marlin because of feeding so I gave that up. They do all right in the Blackhawk but you can get only so much velocity out of that weight bullet successfully. They were accurate and hit the berm with a wallop but I finally gave up on them due to the drastically different trajectories involved. Maybe for a special purpose load but not for everyday use./beagle

megasupermagnum
01-01-2019, 10:48 PM
The 190 grain SSK worked fine in a 357 mag blackhawk. I loaded to a little less than 180 grain load data max, and never saw a pressure sign. I got 1225 fps safely with Lil' Gun, I think it was a 4 5/8" barrel.

725
01-01-2019, 11:23 PM
I've shot the 360-627 in mags, .38's, & maximums. Adjust the load and it will fly. For a very good article about same, go to the LASC site and dig through for articles by Glen Fryxel. He did a nice review of the 360-627 (215 grains with my alloy) and has load data for every thing from a .38 Spec to .35 Rem ?/? .358 Win?...………… Covers the .357Mag, .357Max., etc. Good hunter, too. Taken big pigs with it. Plan on deer, too, at some point. Oh. -- The title of the correct article is "A Bullet For All Seasons". Scroll down this page to see the tag "Cast bullets notes", for the LASC.

crankycalico
01-01-2019, 11:44 PM
200 grain is the classic for big bullets in a 38 or 357 handgun. But most reloading data doesn't go past 180 grains.

mattw
01-01-2019, 11:59 PM
I regularly shoot a 200 grain WFN LBT in both S&W revolvers with ball crane locks and a Marlin 1894C. I had some SWC someone gave me that were around 215 grains and shot them in the Marlin, they were hell on 100 and 200 yard steel plates. I have never seen the bullet design again, would buy the mould if I could. It even had 2 crimp grooves.

Bzcraig
01-02-2019, 12:55 AM
Ive loaded the Lee 200gr using 2400 (don't have the load close by) for my Rossi lever. Haven't yet tried it in my GP100 yet.

RU shooter
01-02-2019, 08:31 AM
I shoot a good many of the ranch dog 190 gr in my 686 loaded out to max cylinder length in 38 spl brass . I only load to medium power levels

lightman
01-02-2019, 08:43 AM
I don't have a 357 rifle but I shoot mostly the RCBS 150 SWC or the H&G 170 SWC in my pistols. They both shoot very well but the design probably won't feed well in a lever action. A few Friends shoot a semi-flat point in the 180-190 grain weight range in their rifles. We often cast together and I've seen their bullets. It makes a nice looking loaded round.

Ateam
01-02-2019, 09:24 AM
I have been working on the lee 200 GC version in 38sp cases in my 4'' sp101. Crimped in the groove, they are a perfect fit for the 357 cylinder. They should function fine in a lever too. Early indications are that I will likely give it up for reasons beagle outlined above. A warning on the lee 200; I feel the looob grooves are too shallow by half, the only reason it survives a trip down the ole sewer pipe is the GC, I wish they were deeper.

robg
01-02-2019, 04:27 PM
Rcbs sil 180grgc boolit drops mine at 190 gr .use in my win 94 ,11.5 2400 = 1250 fps great accuracy but you may need to seat deeper than the crimp grove in marlins etc .

Black Jaque Janaviac
01-02-2019, 05:22 PM
I've loaded Lyman's 195 grain RN and it works excellent in my Blackhawk revolver, but it is pitiful in my Rossi M92s. I think the rifles have a slow twist - something like 1:24" so 158 grain and lighter seem to work best.

I was disappointed that the big boolit wasn't good for both pistol and rifle, but I do like the big feller for anti-bear medicine in my revolver.

gwpercle
01-03-2019, 02:37 PM
I tried some 250 grain JSP in a 357 Ruger Blackhawk..... Too heavy , couldn't get enough velocity . Gave up on that experiment .
I think Elmer Keith had it right with his 170 grain boolit...that's a good compromise between weight and velocity .

Gary

Tim357
01-03-2019, 05:50 PM
I tried some 250 grain JSP in a 357 Ruger Blackhawk..... Too heavy , couldn't get enough velocity . Gave up on that experiment .
I think Elmer Keith had it right with his 170 grain boolit...that's a good compromise between weight and velocity .

Gary

Well stated. The 357 was developed around 158 gr projectiles. Thats why it does so many tasks well. Not enough powder capacity to be launching the really heavy projectiles at a useable velocity.

jmort
01-03-2019, 06:23 PM
Up to 200 grains
It works real good

Hamish
01-03-2019, 06:32 PM
I shoot a 235gr flat nose at 1450fps over 2400. Is that "useable velocity"?

:-P

zymguy
01-03-2019, 06:41 PM
I shoot a 235gr flat nose at 1450fps over 2400. Is that "useable velocity"?

:-P

please, tell us more.

megasupermagnum
01-03-2019, 06:58 PM
250 grains is pushing it, but 215 grains at 1000-1200 fps is awesome. I hate screamers, give me a big slow bullet any day.

jmort
01-03-2019, 06:58 PM
I shoot a 235gr flat nose at 1450fps over 2400. Is that "useable velocity"?

:-P

1,100 ft lbs

That is smoking aka usable velocity

atr
01-03-2019, 07:03 PM
I use a 200 gr gas check in both my .357 revolvers S&W and Herters...using 2400....you have to search around for load data and be careful of seating depth


GO TO HANDLOADS.COM......
I HAVE TRIED THEIR LOADS USING 2400 AND UNIQUE AND HAD NO PROBLEMS

ATR

Tim357
01-03-2019, 07:57 PM
I shoot a 235gr flat nose at 1450fps over 2400. Is that "useable velocity"?

:-P
Using what platform to launch? Pretty sure not a handgun, but I've been wrong before. Any idea of pressures?

gpidaho
01-03-2019, 08:28 PM
Well, most of us know that the 357 Handi rifles have a ridiculously long throat but it does allow me to load the Saeco #352 in a 357 magnum case. This mould drops a bullet with my alloy at 240gr. + and I use it as a subsonic. Kind of a 35 caliber Blackout. Pretty good thump for a subsonic. Gp

megasupermagnum
01-03-2019, 08:29 PM
Using what platform to launch? Pretty sure not a handgun, but I've been wrong before. Any idea of pressures?

Looking at ballistics by the inch, I'm thinking 1450 from a rifle. That looks to put it in the 1000-1100 fps for your more typical handguns, which is still very useable. Whatever that means.

Hogdaddy
01-03-2019, 08:37 PM
Was the 200 gr called " The Soup Can " ??
H/D

Hamish
01-05-2019, 11:52 PM
That particular load is 14gr 2400 with a 360-235gc out of a ten inch Contender. I pushed it over 1600fps before I saw pressure signs, backed down to 1450 where it was most accurate and comfortable. When I first wanted to try it I had to scour up old data from bowling pin revolver shooters trying to close the gap on .45acp knock down factor and then work up.

Beerd
01-07-2019, 06:39 PM
I shoot a 235gr flat nose at 1450fps over 2400. Is that "useable velocity"?

:-P


1,100 ft lbs

That is smoking aka usable velocity

I'd be happy with that in a 44 magnum, don't think it would work too well in my S&W 66.
..

Boolseye
01-07-2019, 10:19 PM
I'd be happy with that in a 44 magnum, don't think it would work too well in my S&W 66.
Yeah, I think that might loosen it up pretty fast. Not to mention damage your hand with each shot 8-)

army_doc
02-03-2019, 03:16 AM
I load 190 Gr SWC in both my Rossi 92 and S&W 686 and have had great success with them. Out of both firearms they are incredibly accurate

robg
02-03-2019, 02:07 PM
14gr of 2400 is over max for that weight of boolit.

megasupermagnum
02-04-2019, 01:13 AM
14 grains of H110 is compressed with a 190 grain bullet, and I started to noticed primers flattening. 14 grains of 2400 and a 235 grain bullet is insane.

Beerd
02-04-2019, 07:29 PM
Hamish,
can you post a pic of that particular loaded round?
my guess is that the bullets are barely seated in the case.
..

crowbeaner
02-04-2019, 09:11 PM
I'm about to try the Lee 200 grainer in my Security Six. Right now I load the Lyman square groove 358429 over 13.5 of 2400 in 357 brass and 11.0 in 38 brass. Either load is 1 hole at 15 yards.

r6487
02-05-2019, 09:25 PM
penn bullets 230gr 357 double wad cutter with 5.1 grains Unique in handi rifle with 9mm suppressor makes good 357 thumper, but an Ideal 358318 245 gr is about to get tested. check out old posts by member harympope about using cast 358 rifle boolits in 357 cases for subsonic shooting.