Cast boolit loads for .357 Maxi - Point me in the right direction?

[three50seven]

I recently acquired an H&R Handi in .357 maximum. I have some 180gr and 200gr boolits that I would like to try out, but I'm not finding much in the way of load data. Lee manual only shows Accur 1680, R Enforcer and Accur 5744; none of which I have on hand or can get locally. And my old Speer #11 manual doesn't show any cast boolit loads [emoji17]

So my question is, where can I find a wider variety of data? I have Herc 2400 on hand, and can usually find most Hodgdon powders locally.

[bhn22]

Use jacketed bullet loads, especially if you are using gas checked bullets. The Max is a high intensity cartridge, and has a fairly fast twist. You can use jacketed loads with cast in this caliber, but never use "cast bullet" loads with jacketed bullets.

[three50seven]

Thank you for the insight. So I should just use a jacketed starting load and work from there? The boolits I have are not gas checked.

[jaysouth]

I recently acquired an H&R Handi in .357 maximum. I have some 180gr and 200gr boolits that I would like to try out, but I'm not finding much in the way of load data. Lee manual only shows Accur 1680, R Enforcer and Accur 5744; none of which I have on hand or can get locally. And my old Speer #11 manual doesn't show any cast boolit loads [emoji17]



So my question is, where can I find a wider variety of data? I have Herc 2400 on hand, and can usually find most Hodgdon powders locally.



Castpics at the bottom of this page is your friend. http://castpics.net/dpl/index.php/reloaders-reference/cast-bullet-data-lookup

[three50seven]

Thanks jaysouth! I am using the Tapatalk app to view the forum, so I don't get the ads and links on the bottom of the page. I probably wouldn't have seen it anyway [emoji4]

[rockrat]

I like 2400 for 200gr or less and WW680 for heavier.

[ubetcha]

from the stuff i have been reading and that I'm in the process of coming up with a load for a 12" T/C G2 in 357 max for IHMSA silhouettes, 4227 and 1680 seem to be the preferred powders for the Max. Bullet weights between 180 and 200 appear to work best. The Max was designed to shoot heavy bullets. There is some load data in the Lee second edition book and some data in the Lyman pistol and revolver book using cast and j-word

[Beerd]

some good info here:
http://www.lasc.us/Fryxell357Max.htm
..

[three50seven]

Thanks beerd, I have that site bookmarked! Tons of good stuff on there.

[quilbilly]

I have been using both GC'ed and plain base boolits in my T/C carbine. The plain base boolits shoot great up to about 1400 fps while I take my GC'd up to about 1950 fps. I am using about 9 gr of Unique for the plain bas loads if memory serves and 2400 for the high velocity loads. Sizing is to 358.

[WALLNUTT]

I shot IHMSA for several years using a 357 MAX TC. H4227 was the powder I used with the RCBS 200FN. IMR4227 should do just as well.

[runfiverun]

the 180 and 200 gr boolits are the most popular.
aa-1680 works well, and you could figure out a load for the 2400.
I use H-110 with the 180gr bullets, and boolits with gas checks.
but lower my loads using 1680 and cast in the 180-200gr area.