Hornady 180g SSP bullet in .357Max...

[badge176]

I have a box of these on the way and would like hints as to what has worked well for others with this combo. I'll be pushing it out of a .357 Mag NEF HandiRifle reamed to .357 Max (throated chamber not 'forcing cone' SAMI style). Intended recipient(s) will be MN White Tail Deer.

[Skipper]

Badge, check over at GBO in the NEF section. There's a bunch of guys who have converted to the Max:

http://www.go2gbo.com/forums/index.php

[uscra112]

Lil-Gun has done very well for me with 180 grainers. Start at 18 grains. Do not seat the bullet any deeper than you have to. I know a lot of guys are pushing H110 for that bullet, but Lil-Gun is a tad slower and has given me higher velocity. RL-7 is a bit too slow - you'll have to get to a compressed load before you get enough in the case. AA5744 ought to work, but I'd be inclined to try 1680 first. In fact I would have by now if any of my LGS ever had any to buy. Hodgdon 4227 will work but not nearly as well as Lil-Gun.

My test bed is a 12" Contender barrel, reamed by me to have a proper throat using a reamer I had made to my spec by Manson, from what was a Bullberry .38 Special barrel. Accuracy is usually 2 - 3 MOA, but that's partly my 2.5x scope and the lightness of the gun. In a proper rifle it ought to do better.

[Goatwhiskers]

I'm shooting RD359190 PP in mine, pushed by 28gr A1680. Compressed load due to length problem associated with crossing the breechblock in my Cadet. Don't remember speed, my book is in the shop, but very, very accurate. Same with the GC version. You will love the powder if you try it. I had tried 2400 and 4227 but couldn't get the accuracy. GW

Meant to say that I have read many glowing reports by users of the bullet you're trying. Go to www.belmtcs.com for even more info.