Recommend a load for Ruger 77/357

[ButterNutZ]

Starting a workup for my new Ruger 77/357. Bullets that I have to work with are Lyman 125 HP Devastator, RCBS 38-140 and RCBS 35-200. As far as powder, only thing I have is TiteGroup and H110.
If you have experience with any of those please let me know.
Thanks

[aussie-dave]

I'll be watching with interest. I'm picking one up in the next few weeks to go with my GP100. I'll run some factory ammo through her first to smooth out the barrel then try some .357's already loaded.

Lee 358-158-SWC checked and tumble lubed. 14.5gr of ADI AR2205.

[detox]

Here is a good review: http://castboolits.gunloads.com/showthread.php?210297-Ruger-77-357-magnum-with-cast-boolits

[ButterNutZ]

detox looks like the fella got great results, but there isn't all that much information on there. Thanks anyway.

I have loaded up some rounds with rcbs 38-140 using titegroup from 5.5gr up to 7 gr. I'm gonna try and work up an accurate plinking load that would be able to reliably hit a 12 inch plate at 400 yards. If titegoup doesn't deliver, what are your thoughts on h110 without a gas check? Manual says minimum load of H110 for 140 gr bullet is 17.1gr, that would for sure propel that little slug over 1,500fps.

[PineTreeGreen]

The first load I tried in my 77/357 was 11 gr of 4759 pushing an RCBS 38-180Sil. 5 shot in less than an inch at 50 yds. Very mild. Have worked up to 15 gr H110 and 14 gr Alliant MP300,but with these loads,recoil gets stiff.

[Echo]

The first load I tried in my 77/357 was 11 gr of 4759 pushing an RCBS 38-180Sil. 5 shot in less than an inch at 50 yds. Very mild. Have worked up to 15 gr H110 and 14 gr Alliant MP300,but with these loads,recoil gets stiff.
Great Zot! A PISTOL boolit, in a rifle, causing stiff recoil? Great Zot...

[Double B]

I have loaded up to the 7.5 gr titegroup under 125 gr jacketed per the load on the powder label and it shows velocity of almost 1500 fps in shorter barrels. It's a frisky load. Accuracy may not be great for you though.

[ButterNutZ]

Thanks for the input so far guys. I'm going to the range Saturday with my chrono and will see what she will do. The number one reason I bought this rifle is CHEAP plinking. So priority is work up a load using that 140 gr rcbs. Once that is settled will work up a load for a deer maybe.

[ButterNutZ]

Just got back from the range, nothing good to report. Rcbs 38-140 with titegroup from 5.5gr up to 7 gr shot a shotgun pattern groups at 50 yards. Did use some of my practice ammo that has same boolit and a 4.4 gr charge. That light load shot ok and velocity was right around 1150fps.
Can anyone suggest a powder to try for that 140 gr boolit?

[BABore]

Have you checked the throat/freebore on your rifle yet? This will tell you where to head. Seat a plain base boolit backwards and long. Adjust it inward till your bolt just closes. Mine had almost 0.250" of freebore at 0.359 diameter. You need to fill that, if possible, with enough front band above the crimp groove. I couldn't quite get there with my planned 180 gr GC boolit. I tried my standard 50/50 hunting alloy air cooled, then water dropped at 22 bhn. Neither worked well. I ended up adding a small amount of nickle babbit to get the WD alloy at 28 bhn. This worked well. I tried 2400, 296, LilGun, and 300-MP for full velocity loads. 300-MP proved the winner with CCI 550's. 5-Shot group accuracy runs 1 1/4 to 1 1/2 at 100 yards. Velocity is just over 1,700 fps.

[detox]

Sounds like you may have lead in barrel. Be sure to get it all out before testing again.

I also own this 140 Cowboy mould. When loaded to recommended length it does have more free bore and less bearing surface than say the Lyman 158 Cowboy. I would use your 110 and soft lube like SPG and harder alloy (15-22 bhn)...try seating bullet less deep like BABore said

[ButterNutZ]

Took your advice guys. Set that 140 gr pill just past the grease groove over 4.4 gr of Tite Group. Rifle shot a group of about an inch at 50 yards, but what's more impressive is that I was able to ring a 12 inch plate at 300 yards with no problem at all. It only took 36 minutes of elevation to get there! Then after figuring out the drop for 400 yards was lunching that 140 grain at fairly steep angle into a full size IPSC silhouette. Again no trouble hitting it as long as wind stayed down. I'll try to make a video of those bullets in flight, looks cool as heck. I can fire a rifle and actually see the bullet slowly drop in like a mortar round! Friend said looks like someone is throwing a rock out of the helicopter haha.
Next will try water cooled over h110, see if I can flatten out that trajectory a bit.
Any who thanks for your help!