Need Cast load for 357 Maximum

[wallacem]

I can't find the load I want. Have some 165 gr cast bullets and want to load them for my 24" carbine to about 1500 fps. I know that is low but it is what I want to play with. Any help would be appreciated. Wallacem inGa

[hc18flyer]

'Shooters Reference' has data for you. I have lots of stuff at home, but I am stuck at work for a couple more hours. I just searched for '.357 Maximum data', not hard to push one fast in a carbine. I love my Henry! hc18flyer

[wallacem]

Yes it is easy to push them fast in the rifle bbl, but to find a load for about 1500 fps is tough. Most loads are 1800 plus in the long bbl. I have plenty of those loads already. Want to play with a load at about 1500 fps. That is what I am looking for. wallace

[Meatpuppet]

What is your Max OAL and Powder availablity?

Its kind of a tricky combination of Light bullet, bore size and barrel length, but still making enough pressure to get it to burn clean. I shoot a 165gr powdercoat in 357 Max with a 16" and since I dont like to go below 50% case fill, I use VV Tin Star or N340 and it works well...

There are other powder options that will do the trick.

[wallacem]

I was thinking Longshot, CFE Black, HS6, Unique, have a few others, lucky I have a fair variety of powders. Wallace

[wallacem]

Also, my barrel is Encore, MGM 24" in 1-14 twist. Wallace

[Meatpuppet]

Hmmm... Without knowing the length of your projectile and OAL of the finished round, its tough. Rough Quickload data for a 165gr projectile @ 1500fps at 2.0 OAL in a 24" barrel:

Longshot 10gr / 22Kpsi / 100% burn / 40% fill
CFE BLK 22gr / 18.5Kpsi / 65% burn / 84% fill
HS-6 10gr / 20Kpsi /100% burn / 41% fill
Unique 8.5gr / 24Kpsi / 100% burn / 54% fill
Bullseye 8gr / 26Kpsi / 100% burn / 49% fill

I would lean to Bullseye or Unique.

[wallacem]

Thank you, this is what I am looking for. I had already found somewhere the Longshot load and the CFE black load, same as your figures. Now for some testing. Wallacem

[quilbilly]

I have had a Contender 21" Carbine in 357 Max for the last 15+ years. It is probably my most versatile caliber. I have shot it with most CB loads from 130 RNFP at 1200 fps all the way up to 205 gr RNFP-GC's at just over 2000 fps. All have shot well. The one issue I have had is that the gun is so light weight that the "heavies" at high velocity vibrate the rifle (not recoil) so much that it is quite unpleasant. As a consequence, I have kept my velocities of both the 200's and the 158 gr SWC-GC's to under 1750 fps. Both of those boolits at that velocity still make fine deer medicine at under 150 yards and for small to medium sized black bear (300# or less) at under 75 yards. The powders I use mostly are 2400 and 4198 but I have even used Bullseye for lighter loads. Enjoy this fine caliber! BTW - my most enjoyable "plinker load" is 4.6 gr of Bullseye with a Lee 125 gr RF plain base. It is a real thumper on coyotes out to 100 yards.

[quilbilly]

Just another thought. My favorite CB in my 357 Max barrel for game between 50# and 200+# at ranges under 80 yards has been the old Keith style 170 gr SWC plain base boolit from the Lyman xxx429 mold. Using about 9 gr. of Unique has given just under 1400 fps MV with no leading in my barrel (your results may vary). My lube has been Lee Alox since I have acquired so much of it over several years.

[hc18flyer]

guilbilly- how hard, what alloy are you using for the 358429 Unique load? Thanks, hc18flyer

[kingrj]

For the performance envelope that you defined...I am inclined to think Alient 2400 may give the best consistency and accuracy...Fast powders in a large case is just asking for mistakes...IMO...

[wallacem]

Quilbilly, thanks for the info. Have it recorded to try. Thanks, Wallacem

[quilbilly]

I use 60% pure with 40% Linotype (if I have any) or hard, chilled birdshot. I also water drop the boolits. That alloy expands well and is accurate in both my handguns and rifles including 308 and 338 WM.