Cast in 357 max

[tommyn]

I have a 16.5 inch rechambered bullberry 357 mag barrel to 357 max by OTT that is awesome with jacketed bullets. I have several hundred 180 hard cast store bought bullets and would like to shoot in this Contender barrel. I would like a moderate load for fun. I have no idea what powder to start with. I'm using 19 gr of IMR in my Ruger 357 max with the same bullet and getting good results. I'm looking for accuracy at 50 yds and mild load. Looking for help. Thanks.

[cbrick]

Here's an article by Glen Fryxell on cast in the Max. It has some load data.

http://www.lasc.us/Fryxell357Max.htm

Hope this helps.

Rick

[fourarmed]

I just tested some loads in Mrs. Fourarmed's Ruger Maximum this weekend, and found the silhouette load we'll be using - at least for chickens and pigs. It is 18.5/4759/358429. The bullet is seated deep and the case crimped over the front driving band. Bullets are water dropped and sized .358. Shooting over bags at 70 yards, the first group (5 shots) out of a clean barrel went 4", the second 2.5", and the third just under 3". These are the best groups I have shot at this distance with open iron sights under these conditions. All that remains is to see if the accuracy will hold up at 150 and 200 m.

[KYODE]

tommy....ya might try some alliant 2400. i picked 12.0gr of 2400 with a 180gr penn hardcast as my fun plinkin load in my 14" max barrel. it shot fair to midlin, but i havn't done more with it since because of time restrictions.

[fourarmed]

Yesterday was the silhouette match. I have never seen a revolver load shoot so well at 100 and so poorly at 200. I spotted while Mrs. Fourarmed shot a 28x40 and hit only one ram. I could watch the boolits go over the turkey berm and take a dive or veer radically or sail high. It was very strange. I shot 5 at the rams in practice on Saturday. I got 3 hits, one went 3 feet high and the fifth went 6 feet low. I am inclined to think that the three hits are evidence for divine intervention.

[cbrick]

fourarmed, ya might want to try a different bullet also. I haven't tested the Max but in my 357 Mag FA the SAECO 180 gr GCTC #399 will stack five shots one on top of the other on the 100 meter pig. On the 150 meter turkey groups are right about 4 feet, never bothered shooting a ram with it. Damn shame too, that SAECO 4 cavity sure drops great bullets.

The RCBS 180 gr silhouette bullet with exactly the same H-110 load is a sterling performer at 50-100-150-200 meters.

The difference here is the SAECO is a two diameter bullet, the front driving band is .005" smaller than the bullet diameter. Proves in my mind anyways the value of the bullet fitting the throats. SAECO #399 would probably work great in a rifle or single shot but it is not a revolver bullet.

I also had a good deal of variation in group size by varying the BHN of the bullet and nothing else. The load I use in my FA likes the RCBS 180 @ 17-18 BHN. Softer and groups open up, harder and groups open up and so does E.S. and S.D. plus I lose velocity.

Anyways, just a thought that a different bullet might make it better, worse or not change anything.

Rick

[felix]

SAECO 180 gr GCTC #399 is a great 35 remmie boolit and is my favorite for accuracy. I shoot the cowboy version as well, and the cowboy provides a little more splash on those floating beer cans. Not as paper accurate, but for offhand shooting there is zero difference between them at 80 or so yards. Shooting WW plus very minor tin, water dropped, at 2400 or so (max load). Say, no harder than BHN 18. ... felix

[fourarmed]

One of the guys gave me 50 of a 204gr. GCRN that looks like 358315. It is 'way too long to load in max cases, but in mag cases should be just right. If anybody has a pet load for this combination with H-110, I'd love to hear about it. JSH has also promised me some of the 180 RCBS silhouette boolits to try. One of those ought to make a ram load. I'm convinced the Ruger will do the job given a good load. It really surprised me, considering how much trouble I've had getting my .45 LC Blackhawk to shoot.