357 max cast load data

[caseguy]

I cant seem to find a lot of cast load data on 357 max I have 180 gr, 190, 200 gr cast molds. What is a good hunting load.

[hc18flyer]

It's out there, takes a little searching. I like about 25.5 grains of Accurate 1680, under my 180 grain Larsen rnfp. Western Powders has some data in their manual. I have an article with multiple bullet weights, but I will have to find the link. hc18flyer
Reloading the .357 Remington Maximum by MD Smith 1/7/2021
The .357 Maximum, by Glen Fryxell LASC
Search on the CB Forum and you will find some good articles.

[NSB]

https://www.shootersreference.com/re.../357-maximum/#
Look here. I know everything, I just can’t remember it all at once!

[poppy42]

I’ll be intently following this post as I just got my 357 maximum rifle an I’m fixing to load up some 200 grn boolets for my first range trip.

[stubshaft]

I've always used 20.0 WW296 (H110) behind either a 180 or 200 grain bullet. This load has won me a number of Sillywett Championships and given a number of hogs and goats a dirt nap!

[NSB]

WW296/H110 has always been my “go-to” powder for 357mag. However, after trying dozens of different loads in my 357max rifles I’ve found that 1680 and 5744 provide better groups with 200g bullets than the 296 does. I’ve shot five shot groups sub 1moa and average five shots right around 1.25” with either powder. I’m currently shooting a custom barrel made by SKS. It’s a 16.25” 1:16 twist .980” diameter with a muzzle brake.

[Beerd]

I found that IMR4227 and Reloader 7 worked well with 180+ grain cast bullets in my two .357 Maximums.
..

[oconeedan]

I'm using 17.0gr 4227 and Lee 358-200, works well.

[lak]

24.5 of 1680 behind RCBS 200 does better than the RCBS 180 Sil in my 24" 1-14 encore barrel. 296 and 4227 didn't do as well. 1680 seems to work better in a long barrel

[P Flados]

I shot a lot of 200 gr speer bullets under Win 296 for IHMSA with a Dan Wesson revolver and loved it.

When I got turned on to Powder coat, I found that I could do full power with zero leading for the first time. Shortly after getting a 200 grn mold, I ran out of my 296 and got a jug of H110. I started running into ignition problems and gave up on the H110.

I tried H4227 and did not like it.

I then found some WC 680 (milsurp version of 1680) and have been very happy with it.

[NSB]

WW296 and H110 are the same powder. Both require a mag primer for reliable ignition.

[quilbilly]

I use my 357 max T/C carbine as a light bear rifle this time of year for close range using about 16 gr of 2400 to launch 165 gr SWC-GC. Just two weeks ago that load just put down a medium size (200#) black bear at 50 yards (DRT). Most of the rest of the year I use 7.8 gr of Unique to launch a 162 gr RN or more recently a 170 gr. SWC from a Lyman 358429 mold. Both of these boolits are plain base and leave not a hint of leading at an MV of 1360 fps. The 357 max is a very versatile caliber. I have used the Lee 200 gr at an mv of 1700 and it shot quite well but in that ultra light rifle, it was not much fun to shoot. If your quarry is primarily whitetails, that plain base 170 gr SWC with that Unique load will do the job out to 100 yards if you do your part and would be very pleasant for plinking. BTW - Welcome to our group!

[Camba]

One nice load I’ve come up with for my H&R 357 max rifle is 20.7gr of vv N120 with the Lee 357-200-RF boolit, gc.
I have not tried at 100 yds but it consistently prints around 1/2” groups at 50 yds.
Work up your load until you get the sweet spot on your rifle.
Camba


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[caseguy]

Thanks to all off to the range today. made some of your ideas and got on load data .

[caseguy]

Thank you quilbilly !! great forum..

[blackpowder man]

The Lee 200 over 22.0 grains of reloader 7 works good in my 18” SSK encore barrel. I also shoot a 250 grain cast, but need to look up the load. With Speer hot core 180s I use 296.

[gnoahhh]

I feel that 1680 is God's gift to the .357 Maximum. I use 19 grains to propel a .360" diameter 200gr. RCBS GCFN (relatively soft with 1:20 tin:lead alloy) out of my 26" barrel Martini Cadet. Excellent accuracy, no leading, and 1900fps which makes for a good woods thumper.

[Beerd]

nice Martini!
1680 will get the velocity up, but I didn't care for the resulting fireball with my 10" barrel Contender.
..

[MT Gianni]

Has anyone experimented with MP-300 powder?