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Is there anything these dies can't do???
I've posted previously on using your dies to "bump-up" 9MM JHP and powdercoated rounds for cheap plinking. It has been very successful in both handguns and rifles.
However, now I'm getting ready for fall hunting season using a .357 Maximum carbine. It takes the performance of these dies to a higher level for sure.
191grain lead soft points for general plinking using S6 Ogive and HP Point form. .310dia - 170gr cast core and RCE .40 cal jackets drawn down to .355 for swaging into .358. This is a plinking load since I dont think the soft jacket will hold together on impact.
182gr fully jacketed for hunting using S6 Ogive and HP Point Form. .310dia - 120gr cast core and annealed 9mm cases drawn down for swaging. These should hold together well at 2200 FPS out of the carbine. I followed "uncledino's" thread on his 357 maximum swaging journey and I am looking forward to testing this setup out. I can go a bit heavier to 200 gr with a bit of lead exposed, but I dont think I'll have a problem getting it to expand at these velocities. I have noticed that the weight of 9mm brass is all over the board. Sorting by headstamp definately helps.
I'm really impressed with the .357 Maximum. Using your dies, I can swage from a screaming-fast 125gr to an ultra-quiet suppressed 300gr powdercoted "mortar-round" and shoot them all through a soft recoiling, lightweight TC Encore "woods-gun." I just received my .358 SOCOM AR-15 Upper (essentially a necked-down .458 SOCOM) so I will be swaging up even more of these beauties for semi-auto fun!
I have a number of your swaging dies in several calibers. But I'm pretty sure the .358 dies are the most versitile of them all.
...work keeps getting in the way of all this fun...
Attachment 201212
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BT's .358 dies for the 357 Maximum
Brian's 358 dies produce a great projectile for the .357 Maximum! Using an annealed 9mm case drawn down to .355 and common bullet molds for cast lead cores, they shoot better than I can!
His HP point forming die creates a great substitute for the discontinued .357 180gr XTP and the S6 Ogive die is perfect for the 357 Maximum in a single shot carbine. No case trimming is needed and common bullet molds make the cores. It could not be easier.
I am using a TC Encore with an MGM 16" 1-in-14 twist barrel both supersonic and suppressed. I'm working up loads for this fall's hunting season. I've only tried 50 yards since the weather stinks, but I should be able to get chrono data and 100 yard testing next week. Quickload estimates 2050fps (ish) for the 182gr supersonic and 1075fps for the 230gr suppressed rounds.
Brian's dies and the 357 Maximum is an awesome piece of kit!!!
Bullet: 357 Max - 182gr JHP
Brass: Starline
Powder: VV N110 - 22gr
Primer: CCI SRP
OAL: 2.25
Chrono: 1964 FPS / 1559 FPE
ES: 52 / SD: 19
Attachment 202661
Attachment 202662
Bullet: 357 MAX - 182gr S6 Ogive
Brass: Starline
Powder: VV N110 - 22gr
Primer: CCI SRP
OAL: 2.27
Chrono: 1959 FPS / 1551 FPE
ES: 92 / SD: 24
Attachment 202663
Attachment 202664
Bullet: 357 Max - 230gr S6 Ogive Soft Lead Tip
Brass: Starline
Powder: VV TinStar (N32C) 9.0gr
Primer: CCI SRP
OAL: 2.25
Chrono: 935 FPS / 447 FPE
ES: 26 / SD: 9
Attachment 202665
Attachment 202666
Edited to add Load/Chrono info