Need Cast load for 357 Maximum

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

'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

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

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.

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

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

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.

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

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.

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.

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

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...

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

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.