New 357 Max rifle!

[Matt3357]

I just bought a 357 MAXIMUM H&R single shot rifle want to get a heavy load for it. What boolit design would you guys recommend for a hunting and target load? Gas check or plain base? Best powder?

Thanks,
Matt

[cbrick]

Matt, you should find this interesting reading . . .

The 357 Max by Glen E. Fryxell (http://www.lasc.us/Fryxell357Max.htm)

Rick

[fatelvis]

The 358627 bullet (215 grns GC) of Brinnel 15 hardness or better, over 19 grns IMR4227. Use a Rem 7 1/2 primer, and crimp in the groove that makes the round longer. The combo is more accurate than Hornadys 180 XTP (the bullet that used to hold the accuracy title), out of the two custom Max Contender barrells, that we have. Try it, you'll like it!!

[excess650]

For a "heavy bullet" I would look to the RCBS 35-200FN. These weigh close to 220gr lubed with gas check from my mould. The looong Lyman SWC GC 215gr will use up too much powder capacity to be worthwhile, IMO.

I don't shoot a 357 Max, but have several 357 Magnum rifle and carbines. All seem to LOVE the Saeco #354 which weighs about 185gr with GC and lube. My loads with H110 are above anything you will find published, but safe in the Marlin 1894C and Browning Lowall using Starline cases and F205 primers.

Obviously the RCBS 220gr won't work through the Marlin's action, so there was no point in trying it. I did try it in the Browning, but the real accuracy came in (1-1/2" at 100 yards with tang sight) when the bullet was "on the powder". I'm sure the pressure was higher than I would be comfortable with on a regular basis, and the narrow crescent buttplate made the combination uncomfortable to shoot, so I decided the Saeco 185gr was the way to go.

GO FAST powders for the 357 MAX would be AA1680 WW680 WW296 and H110. IMR 4227 and H4227 should both be pretty good as well. For maximum velocity and high pressure loads, GC bullets will be easier to deal with.

[felix]

The Saeco 354 is indeed excellent. The 180 grainer sillywet is more accurate at distance in the 35 Rem, but the boolit might be too long for the 357 Mag lever guns. ... felix

[part_timer]

358627 with 17.5gr of H110 shoots one ragged hole out of our Encore. Turns deer into sausage. Not the heaviest of loads but I figure accurate is more important than fast.

[ofreen]

I'll add my vote for the 358627. That bullet over 18 gr of 4227 and a small rifle primer works great out of my 21" Contender barrel. The barrel has the typical long TC throat, so the bullet is seated out to the bottom crimp groove.

[threett1]

Whatever projectile is used, Lil Gun powder is great in the Max.

[Matt3357]

Where are you guys getting your loading data. I know hodgdon's has a limited amount of data and I have found random data from online. Is there a good reliable source for data?

Matt

[MT Gianni]

Does anyone have any experience shooting heavy boolits , ie 352Saeco or 358009 in 38 or 357 mag cases in a handi? I wondered about heavies loaded just off the throat and case length.

[357maximum]

Where are you guys getting your loading data. I know hodgdon's has a limited amount of data and I have found random data from online. Is there a good reliable source for data?

Matt

Thompson Centers' little yellow handloader book for the contender pistols is a great place to start.


Hard to go wrong with the BRP 360-180 flatnosed ,gaschecked pistol boolit, rem 7.5 primers and a good dose of Vhit N-120, H4227, HLilGun. I run my 15 inch custom encore right on the heels of the 35 remington with Vhit N-120 and it is really accurate and it flat out kills deer dead/quick.