350 Legend What cast boolits are you using? Powder?

[NyFirefighter357]

My wife & I went to LGS and she'd been eying a 350 Legend. We came home with a Winchester XRP & 2 boxes of 180gr Winchester Power Points ammo at $40ea. One of the owners of the LGS knows I reload and he said he'd save his brass for me. This is strictly a plinking gun mostly at 50yrds but at best 100yrds. I have some .358-359 molds I might be able to size down to try but I wanted to know what others are using. It's still in the box I have to slug the bore still. I have several powders that might work as well, what's working for you?

[Outer Rondacker]

Slug the barrel. My Ruger is a true 350 Legend. So pistol bullets it is. I know some of the guns were made to shoot larger bullets. Mostly the ARs. Do a search we have a thread going already on this Lots of good info. I am playing with the Lee RF molds. Cant remember the weight. 158 I think.

[mehavey]

XPR here:

Any Cast: size 0.357
Jacketed: Recommend SPEER 180 358 HotCore(Lee-Sized to 0.356)

Norma-200 1st choice (Big Time)
RL-7 come in #2
Being a Bolt gun: W296/H110 & LilGun play well w/o the nastiness they show in an AR action

[NyFirefighter357]

Slug the barrel. My Ruger is a true 350 Legend. So pistol bullets it is. I know some of the guns were made to shoot larger bullets. Mostly the ARs. Do a search we have a thread going already on this Lots of good info. I am playing with the Lee RF molds. Cant remember the weight. 158 I think.

I searched but didn't find much. I did find this thread https://castboolits.gunloads.com/showthread.php?436632-Reduced-loads-for-350-legend

[dh2]

I am using a 200gr NOE CG version of Lee180 gr 38SPL bullet Pushing it with H110

[Outer Rondacker]

I think this is it. https://castboolits.gunloads.com/showthread.php?387647-350-Legend-and-Cast-Boolits&highlight=350+legend

[Mal Paso]

I have read those threads and information is sparse. There are vague warnings about over pressure but as far as I can tell the powder charges were over maximum charge. 26.7 was listed as max for H110 and 28 was said to be a problem. I don't see the issue, don't use more than max charge.

Also A11FS was lumped in there too. I see that 11FS can be loaded down to 9.4g in 300BO for subsonic loads which is not at all like H110 yet it was claimed to be a problem.

Has anyone had problems with H110 using Listed Loads?

I have Hornady 170 SP and the 200g RCBS Clone coming if I can get it away from Putin. I also have some 11FS and would like real load data or Evidence there is a problem.

[Bigmancrisler]

I recently had a big over pressure problem with my savage axis in 350L. Granted in hindsight I was using the wrong bullets. But I was using Berrys 147gr RN over 27.1gr of Lil gun. I loaded them up originally when it was about 5-10 degrees out and it shot perfectly fine with same POA POI as Winchester 180gr sp hunting rounds (can’t remember the exact name). But I took them out at about 40-50 degrees and I had a case completely deformed and the primer blow out and I had to hit the bolt with a hammer to open it. Safe to say, I pulled all the ones I had left and won’t be using that load ever again.


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[MarkP]

NOE 173gr WFN / HP cast with HP out and FP . RCBS 200 gr FN. I got a case of 145 FMJ's back in April 2019 when first available. The neck of these WW are much thicker than Starline Brass. Also WW brass had concentricity issues. The new loaded cartridges were right ar SAAMI max cartridge dimensions. I pulled bullets and they were 0.3545". Mic a fired case at the mouth and compare to your loaded rounds. Need some clearance for bullet release.

[Mal Paso]

The Winchester once fired I got were .010" on one side of the case mouth and .012" on the other side and 6 cases had a bubba belt after sizing where the case expanded just above the web. These looked to be factory loads that were too hot with not enough chamber support.

[MarkP]

The Winchester once fired I got were .010" on one side of the case mouth and .012" on the other side and 6 cases had a bubba belt after sizing where the case expanded just above the web. These looked to be factory loads that were too hot with not enough chamber support.
Check the length of your brass;

In the 3 boxes I shot from the (10) box case I purchased, there were some cartridges that were too long which caused pressure issues resulting in a case separation. I found several more that were too long, these rounds were easy to spot as they had a slight bulge at the mouth and looked like a heavy roll crimp. When measuring fired cases some were 0.03" over SAAMI Max length. I contacted Winchester, they sent me a UPS label to return the unfired cartridges. I purchased more Starline Brass with the Winchester refund.

[P Flados]

Full power 180s in a 350L are very capable for hunting. I shoot the equivalent in my 357AR Max. Not exactly what I consider an ideal "plinking" round.

Slugging is usually less important for the 350L than determining what size bullet will allow smooth chambering.

My 357AR Max shoots best at full power. I am happy with Wc 680 (milsurp version of 1680). I went with the Wc 680 after having ignition problems with H110 (occasional way under power shot and some bullets stuck in barrel).

With a bolt gun, you have should have a lot more flexibility.

For "plinking" in a bolt gun, a boolit in the 150 - 160 range loaded to around 1800 fps with a faster powder will give less muzzle blast and be more fun to shoot. Quickload says around 12.5 Unique will get this speed.

In 357 Max handguns, my plinker is even lighter. A Lee 120 TC over 7.3 Unique. This should get around 1400 fps from a rifle.

[Mal Paso]

Check the length of your brass;

In the 3 boxes I shot from the (10) box case I purchased, there were some cartridges that were too long which caused pressure issues resulting in a case separation. I found several more that were too long, these rounds were easy to spot as they had a slight bulge at the mouth and looked like a heavy roll crimp. When measuring fired cases some were 0.03" over SAAMI Max length. I contacted Winchester, they sent me a UPS label to return the unfired cartridges. I purchased more Starline Brass with the Winchester refund.

The case mouths look good. They are all 1.705", right in the middle of spec. Here is a picture of the base. One of 6 that look like this. The dummies all chambered fine after training. No issues in the chamber just hang ups getting there. Tried to identify the problem but it went away completely. I think there's a learning curve, it takes the gun a few minutes to figure how to load ammo.

[Bigmancrisler]

The case mouths look good. They are all 1.705", right in the middle of spec. Here is a picture of the base. One of 6 that look like this. The dummies all chambered fine after training. No issues in the chamber just hang ups getting there. Tried to identify the problem but it went away completely. I think there's a learning curve, it takes the gun a few minutes to figure how to load ammo.

Did you run that through a sizing die?


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[44Blam]

I'm shooting the Accurate 36-180LG and the 35-125YG. As mehavey mentioned, Norma 200 is a great powder for this cartridge.

I drive that 125 grain boolit about 2500 fps and the 180 grain boolit about 2000 fps. I've only shot the 125s at about 100 yards. But the 180, I've taken out to about 400 yards and it seems like it goes subsonic between about 350-400 yards so there is a big drop past that. I just moved, so I'll have to find my books, but I seem to remember that a 100 yard zero, I had 2" drop at 200 7" drop at 300 and 20-something inch drop at 400.

[Mal Paso]

Did you run that through a sizing die?


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Yep, that's what left the belt. I full length sized with a Hornady die. The belt is below where the die reaches when it is touching the shell holder.

[mehavey]

That "belt" ....
Did you perchance fire it out of an AR ?

[Bigmancrisler]

Yep, that's what left the belt. I full length sized with a Hornady die. The belt is below where the die reaches when it is touching the shell holder.

I have a Lee 7.5x54 French die set that does the same thing. I still need to send it back to Lee but haven’t gotten time to. I bet it’s probably the die.


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[Mal Paso]

That "belt" ....
Did you perchance fire it out of an AR ?

Once fired from Midsouth. No extractor marks but my AR doesn't mark the brass either.

Back to the OP, any load data would be appreciated. The most published data is with H110/296 which has detractors. 11FS looks like it can be downloaded. In 300BO there is a listed load, 9.4g of 11FS behind a 210g Sierra for 31,654 PSI. 11FS slightly more potent than H110 so I'll start low and work up. 11FS is Extremely Fine and migrated between the frame and rotor of my UniFlow. Not a Great Feature.

[mehavey]

I give it as my fixed opinion that Li'Gun, H110/W296 (and close cousins) have problems with
AR Legend extraction-pressure timing -- resulting in the "belt" tendency that you see.
See https://castboolits.gunloads.com/showthread.php?408495-350-Legend-and-H110-Reloading-Help&p=4983964&viewfull=1#post4983964
See https://castboolits.gunloads.com/showthread.php?408495-350-Legend-and-H110-Reloading-Help&p=4984062&viewfull=1#post4984062

...exacerbated by some (I suspect) deep cut bolt-face-to-chamber dimensions in earl[ier] barrels
See https://thefiringline.com/forums/showpost.php?p=6851853&postcount=50
I actually switched from Starline to Winchester brass as a result.
See https://thefiringline.com/forums/showpost.php?p=6851795&postcount=47

FWIW: I don't have this problem in the XPR/bolt action

[Mal Paso]

I have a very recent AR Stoner. I'll have to blue dye a dummy round and spin it in the chamber, see how much support there is. My unfired chamber is .378" at the throat.

I will work on the 11FS loads and report back.

[NyFirefighter357]

I can't do anything until I can get my hands on some brass.

[Mal Paso]

I can't do anything until I can get my hands on some brass.

https://www.midsouthshooterssupply.com/item/00257ofb350legend100/350-legend-once-fired-brass-100-count-raw-unwashed

The batch I got was all Winchester, 6 had expanded bases as in the picture I posted but the rest were all good.

[cwlongshot]

I shoot most of my cast thru my bolt gun. So no worries about gas or function.

One of my best loads is a single hole shooter. 12g of Blue Dot and a NOE 180g cup point sized .356. Velocity is about 1500 from its 16" bbl.

4198 moves a Saeco 396 to 1400 and shoots almost as good.

H4227 and a MP 170g hits 1600 and also almost always touches holes.

CW

Edit: Know you can use any 357 Maximum data as starting load in Legend. So PLENTY of data out there knowing that! I find max loads @ or just above starting loads in my Ruger.

[crackers]

I can't do anything until I can get my hands on some brass.

https://www.midwayusa.com/product/1021205912?pid=756483&utm_medium=shopping&utm_source=ammo-seek&utm_campaign=756483

RCBS 82154 - 180 SIL powder coated range scrap, no check, to .356 eleven grains BlueDot or IMR Blue.

[Outer Rondacker]

Midway has a six banger lee mould for sale 358-150-1r solid base round nose for $29.24. I am going to give it a go on the old legend. Ill let you know how it goes.

[NyFirefighter357]

My first casting session with the Lee 358-200-RF
https://i.imgur.com/K3bpN9s.jpg

[44Blam]

My first casting session with the Lee 358-200-RF
https://i.imgur.com/K3bpN9s.jpg

Little wrinkly, maybe keep throwing 'em back until the mold heats up? Do like the shape, though.

[NyFirefighter357]

Little wrinkly, maybe keep throwing 'em back until the mold heats up? Do like the shape, though.

Well, I didn't even clean it. No matter how hot the alloy & mold were the bullets didn't come out so good. I figure another seasoning or two. Then I'll break down & clean it if it's not working. Those pics were after recycling close to 100 casts.

[Mal Paso]

I use a hot plate to preheat my molds to just under casting temp. The old method was to put one corner of the mold in the lead until the lead no longer sticks to the mold.

Most hotplates use an infinity control like ranges and Lee pots. The temperature can creep up over the first hour so start on the low side.

[cwlongshot]

I use a hot plate to preheat my molds to just under casting temp. The old method was to put one corner of the mold in the lead until the lead no longer sticks to the mold.

Most hotplates use an infinity control like ranges and Lee pots. The temperature can creep up over the first hour so start on the low side.

I was late to using Hotplates. It was suggested to me for years and I didnt listen...

Then twice in one session NOE HP molds topled into the molten lead...[smilie=b:[smilie=b:[smilie=b: I bought a plate! OMG WHAT A IGNORANT ASS I WAS!!!

Next to a PID the best tool for making proper bullets easier!!! GO BUY A HOT PLATE!!!!!!!!!!!

CW

[fastdadio]

I use a propane torch to heat my molds. Quick and easy.

[dondiego]

I use a propane torch to heat my molds. Quick and easy.

I was always told that was a good way to warp a mold. What is your torch technique?

[fastdadio]

I was always told that was a good way to warp a mold. What is your torch technique?

No biggie really. I use a trigger piezieo ingniter type torch, dial the flame low and keep it moving. Heating the entire mold block surface evenly. I use aluminum molds from Accurate and Lee. So, It doesn't take long. Heat it a bit, and cast, if they come out wrinkly, dump 'em back in the pot and heat it some more. A couple times like that and yer off and running. I have a feel for it now and usually get it right the first time. You know when you over heated the mold because you will have to wait a bit for the sprue cup to solidify. Other than that, just trial and error till you get it right. Go easy and don't cook the mold.

[NyFirefighter357]

I slugged the barrel it's about .355/.3555.

[cwlongshot]

No biggie really. I use a trigger piezieo ingniter type torch, dial the flame low and keep it moving. Heating the entire mold block surface evenly. I use aluminum molds from Accurate and Lee. So, It doesn't take long. Heat it a bit, and cast, if they come out wrinkly, dump 'em back in the pot and heat it some more. A couple times like that and yer off and running. I have a feel for it now and usually get it right the first time. You know when you over heated the mold because you will have to wait a bit for the sprue cup to solidify. Other than that, just trial and error till you get it right. Go easy and don't cook the mold.

10-15$ HOT PLATE. Is FAR FAR SAFER, and WAY EASIER. Turn on... place molds atop... WALK AWAY!!! Return short time later and they are warm. If ya do when ya start your pot everything is 100% ready at same time.

My torch only is used when spout "freezes".

CW

[tja6435]

I like Alliant 300-MP, around 23gr under NOE’s 190gr 350L boolit

[cwlongshot]

I like Alliant 300-MP, around 23gr under NOE’s 190gr 350L boolit


I am also liking this powder More and more!

[44Blam]

10-15$ HOT PLATE. Is FAR FAR SAFER, and WAY EASIER. Turn on... place molds atop... WALK AWAY!!! Return short time later and they are warm. If ya do when ya start your pot everything is 100% ready at same time.

My torch only is used when spout "freezes".

CW

Yep. I Turn on my hot plate and put the molds on right after I load up the pot and start it heating. If it's a mold with points, I put it points on the plate. Otherwise, it is sprue plate on the plate. I've only had to resort to the torch with this weird Turkish slug mold I have that actually does get stuck at times...

[fastdadio]

10-15$ HOT PLATE. Is FAR FAR SAFER, and WAY EASIER. Turn on... place molds atop... WALK AWAY!!! Return short time later and they are warm. If ya do when ya start your pot everything is 100% ready at same time.

My torch only is used when spout "freezes".

CW

Been doing it for years. I also use the torch to pre heat the pot by melting the ingots into liquid. That gets things going quicker also. I use the hot plate to keep my coffee cup hot while casting.....

[NyFirefighter357]

...I also use the torch to pre heat the pot by melting the ingots into liquid. That gets things going quicker also. ....

I do the same thing

[trapper9260]

10-15$ HOT PLATE. Is FAR FAR SAFER, and WAY EASIER. Turn on... place molds atop... WALK AWAY!!! Return short time later and they are warm. If ya do when ya start your pot everything is 100% ready at same time.

My torch only is used when spout "freezes".

CW

I do as you do put the mold on the hot plate when I put my alloy in the pot and when the alloy is ready to cast the mold is also and then , will not need to use the hot plate after if you keep use the mold and give it some time to cool also when casting.

[Mal Paso]

The MP 358-200 HP GC are back in stock. 4 sets of pins including a Penta!

[denul]

Mal , thanks for heads up! I've been looking for this for a while now and jumped on it when I saw your post.

[Mal Paso]

Here is the Penta version of the MP 358-200 GC HP.

[cwlongshot]

I really wanted that 4 cav with penta.

I grabbed the 2 cav cause thats what he made first. It didnt list penta. But to my delight I got penta small and large hp pins. Not too upset with a 2 v 4cav. But I alleast have my long awaited mold!!!

CW

[NyFirefighter357]

I really wanted that 4 cav with penta.

I grabbed the 2 cav cause thats what he made first. It didnt list penta. But to my delight I got penta small and large hp pins. Not too upset with a 2 v 4cav. But I alleast have my long awaited mold!!!

CW

You should be happy with that mold

[Mal Paso]

I've got 560 of them gas checked, sized and lubed. I could really use more Brass!

I got them going nose first through the Star sizer this time and the results are much better.

[NyFirefighter357]

Any updates with data? I'll be loading some with Unique soon.

[MarkP]

I am using 1680 & RL 7 with the 200 gr RCBS

[NyFirefighter357]

I'm going to grab some RL-7 too.

[Mal Paso]

My 350L accuracy issues were with the scope which is on it's way to be repaired but I'd already assembled a ladder of loads with Accurate 1680 powder based on 357 Maximum load data. The cartridge volume is similar to the 350 Legend and the max load they showed was 36,000 psi which sounded safe in a 55,000 psi cartridge. The chronograph was fussy and my plans of testing accuracy at the same time failed as I shot the same target over and over to get the chronograph readings. I was pushing the same 35-200 gas check RCBS clone. The top load was a nearly full case of powder and made 2118 fps average for a 10 shot group. The SD was 12 with a spread of 28 fps among 10 shots. I think I am kissing the 55,000 MAP and one grain back looks really good too. Two 10 shot groups came in at 2033 with total spreads of 28 and 36 fps! At 2,000 fps it zeros at 50 and 100 yards, 3" down at 150 and 10" at 200. I think I found my powder. I don't have the pressure test equipment to tell you this is safe so I won't publish loads but the info is out there.

I shot one 4 shot group (some of my ladder so I was stingy) while I was waiting for cease fire, just under 3/4" @ 50Y.

[milsurpcollector1970]

I use the NOE 357-190-RF-06. Works well in the AR