Cast and the 357 Herrett

[TCLouis]

Am I the only one shooting cast in the Herrett?

I want a hunting load and plinking load for the 10" and/ot 14" barrel on the Contender, but mostly 10"

I an looking for your load with 180 gr. RNFP (Ranch Dog or LAR mold) or the 200 grain FP GC from the GB of several years ago.
Wondering about loads with 2400, 4227, 4759, AA1680, AA2200

Just fast enough for 50-75 yard deer slayer loads and we have smaller deer.

Accurate enough to plink at 200 would be a plus.

[paul h]

I got rid of my 357 hettet about 10 years ago. The cast bullet I shot through it was a 200gr wfn and the best powder I used was AA 1680, which produced ~2000 fps.

[singleshot]

Start with 14 grains 2400 or 16 grains of 4227 and work up from there with the RD boolit. Can't speak to the other powders or boolit you mentioned in the OP. I wouldn't exceed 16 grains 2400 or 18 grains of 4227 in any gun.

[94Doug]

I had a light load with RCBS 200gr and Unique. Just don't remember what. Maybe around 8.5grains.

Doug

[725]

TC-
I'm about to start with a 190 gr PP boolit in the 10" .357 Herrett. I'm just getting started so I can add anything yet. Will after some experimentation.

[singleshot]

Oops, must have been half-asleep, now I see you intend to shoot it from a TC. I think it will handle around 45-50k psi but you should check on that...

[gbrown]

I'd go to Castpics and look at the load data there. You can probably find what you want. I loaded a 180 gr Jbullet for my carbine. Was an accurate round. I've had a T/C .357 Herrett 14 inch for about 20 years. Got a 20 inch Bulberry barrel and built a carbine in .357 Herrett. Both fun to shoot. Shot a lot of cast out of the pistol, mostly 158 gr SWC, nothing real hot. Right now, getting ready to work up a load for the carbine with an RCBS 162 SWC GC and 2400. Used the same boolit out of a Rossi Puma in .357 Mag. with 14 grains 2400 (1 gr under max), chronographed at 1685 average with very good accuracy, no indications of pressure issues.

[TCTex]

I have had good luck with the 190 Ranch Dog and 4227. The round is capable of shooting that bullet at 2100fps out of a 14in barrel. Also, mine did better with a .359 sizer over the .358 sizer.

Duane

[725]

TCLouis;
Had good results with 34.2gr AA2230 (minimum from the Lee book) pushing a 190 gr PP boolit, lubed w/ 45/45/10, out of a 10" Contender. Book indicated it wasn't a compressed load, however, it was a very minor compressed load. Brass looked good and at this point I have no intentions of going hotter. Think I'll just shoot a few and see if it will do it for me. Hope it's my hunting load.
725

[canyon-ghost]

Check into the Contender Reloading manuals from Loadbooks USA

Page 4 has complete contender reloading manuals: http://www.loadbooks.com/Store.html

It will save you time with lead reloads.

[bobthenailer]

The RCBS 200 gr rifle bullet is one of the most accurate bullets for 358 dia bores weither it be handgun or rifle at long range its stellar performer. you can get 1,500 fps from a SS pistol with a 10 inch barrel chambered in 357 mag .

[725]

TCLouis,
Found my hunting load. PP 190 gr boolit, 45/45/10 lube, 2230 powder (as above), standard rifle primer, 10" Contender ------------- Oh, my! Sand bagged from a concerete bench and after jockeying around with the scope, I started hitting the 1 1/2" bull at 100 yards. I'm good. Maybe next year I'll play around with other loads, but for this season I'm ready. Now to practice.

[Johnnu]

Thanks.....

J.