.357 Mag 180gr FN

[Adam10mm]

A mold by a few names. Originally the Lar's group buy, was a C358-180-FN, C360-185-FN and a few other names. All dropped a 358-360" 180-185gr FN with gas check. Looks like the Lee 158gr RF but 180gr and checked.

Anyways, I'm starting to get back into .357 Mag loading commercially. Have to get a gun and all that jazz. Loading two loads, the Lyman 358627 and the NEI 358-180-FN from the GB molds.

I loaded up some with 5gr Unique and IIRC 8gr Blue Dot. I gave them to a buddy to try out and can't remember the exact BD load from the label.

I had a heck of a time researching load data for a 180gr lead bullet. Accurate lists 7gr Unique max with a jacketed and I think I used that and dropped 2gr down to work up with lead for the 5gr Unique load.

I have most everything on hand, 231, BD, 2400, 296, HS6, WSF, AC, TrailBoss, Unique, and #9. I use 231 and #9 the most. Haven't used 2400 or 296 for anything yet.

Anyone have good results for this boolit? Thinking a 180gr at 1100fps would be a good load from the magnum.

[Blammer]

sorry I'm no help with the powders listed but I like Lil'gun.

[Mugs]

You show AA#9 in your powder list, one of my favorite .357 powders. Use load data for jacketed 180 grn. as a guide. Sierra Edition V shows 11.0 to 12.8 grns. #9 with 180 grn. bullits. This was in a 10" TC. Use this as a guide and work up for your gun.
Mugs
IHMSA 5940L

[Adam10mm]

I've heard LilGun is a sleeper in .357 and performs very well. Never tried it yet but always wanted to.

[SciFiJim]

There is a lot of interest in boolits this size, but like you found, not much reloading data. There is another group buy for a 360180wfngc mold here. Is anyone willing to share start loads for lite, medium, and heavy loads with different powders.

I once called Cast Performance for load data on their 38/180gr. WFNGC. Their recommended upper end powders were Lil'Gun 13.0 - 15.0gr or H110 w/mag primer 12.0 - 13.5gr. As always start low and work up carefully.

I am still looking for data for medium loads and lite loads.

[Mugs]

Jim
The Sierra manual I spoke of in my previous post has 180 grn. data from 800 fps. [ lite] all the way to the top. For extra hot loads go to www.lasc.us and look at Todd Spotti's article on .357 loads for FA revolvers. You might be able to access Sierra's data on line.
Mugs
IHMSA 5940L

[dhoutfit]

Lyman #48 manual show's 2400 at 9.7 min. to 13.5 max= 879fps. to 1242fps. H110 and mag. primer at 14.4min. to 15.0max. = 1172fps. to 1285fps. Lee manual show's same listing's, though I like 12.5gr. of 2400 and is accruate and great for plinking or small critters. SHOOT SAFE !

[KYCaster]

I have both the GC and the PB versions of this group buy mold and both perform equaly well so the PB gets used a lot and the GC mostly sits idle.

13.5 gr. W296...........................1218fps
11.2 gr. WC820(fast lot)...........1197fps
14.0 gr. Lil gun..........................1215fps

I consider these loads max in my handguns.

All these do very well, with the W296 turning in the best groups (as always).

I haven't done very much with Lil gun, but W296 and WC820 always seem to like to be pushed to the limit. When working up loads with WC820, groups were still shrinking when I started getting flattened primers, so I backed down a bit.

This boolit also works great in a Rossi '92 and a micro groove Marlin 336 in 35Rem.

The 11.2 WC820 load runs 1475 out of the Rossi and it's what I keep in the corner by the back door.

A great boolit for a great cartridge.

Jerry

[AzShooter]

I've tried 5.4grains of Unique behind the LBT 180 grain RN bullet from my .38. It's a winning load. Groups into 1/2 inch at 25 yards from the bench. Velocity was right at 930 fps.

Eight point five grains of Blue Dot also works great. 1144 fps was the top speed and again accuracy was superb.

You need to shoot these bullets HOT for them to stabilize. But it's well worth it.

I shoot the 5.4 grains of Unique for my USPSA loads to make Major.

[Rick N Bama]

I have the GC version of the mold, from I think, GB#3. In my 686 & 586, 13.8grs of W296 is working great, so much so that I haven't seen the need to try anything else. Off the bags & at 25 yards, I get a single ragged hole with the 686. Quite frankly this is the best shooting boolit I've found for the 357s.

Rick

[imashooter2]

These results are from a rifle using Crabo's 180 grain RNFP design. I get very similar results from a C360-180-RF mold from the first group buy. That mold drops them at 186 grains and I've found these same loads safe with that boolit in both the 1894C and a 686. I haven't chronographed the 2400 load from a revolver, but the Lil' Gun load will make 1,137 fps from a 4 inch 686.

12.5 grains Alliant 2400, Federal case, CCI 500 primer.
High - 1,568 fps
Low - 1,511 fps
Average- 1,544 fps
SD- 20 fps
Kinetic Energy- 953 ft/lbs
10 shot group- 2.6 inches.
Comment- This is the same load that I shoot regularly with the GB boolit. POI very close to the same.


14.5 grains Hodgdon Lil' Gun, Federal case, CCI 500 primer.
High - 1,753 fps
Low - 1,709 fps
Average- 1,732 fps
SD- 13 fps
Kinetic Energy- 1,200 ft/lbs
10 shot group- 3.0 inches.
Comment- Called pull on the shot to the left. Take that one out and it's 2.3 inches. POI shifts dramatically with the hotter load. Wish I had enough boolits to do more work with this powder.

[lar45]

Here is 5 gn of Red Dot for a mild load with my C358-180-RF out of my Rossi 92 at around 1100fps. I couldn't find my notes and targets from hot loads.

[TCLouis]

for WC-820 are you talking what Jeff called fast lot using HS-7 Data or the newer versions of
WC-820 using AA#9 data?

[AzShooter]

38 special 180 LBT 627 5 1.56 Unique 4.5 749 134820.00 0.75 Comfortable

38 special 180 LBT 627 5 1.56 Solo 1000 3.7 742 133560.00 1 Nice Needs new vel test

38 special 180 LBT 627 5 1.56 231 4 745 134100.00 Only had small amount
38 special 180 LBT 627 5 1.56 Solo 1000 4 769 138420.00 1 to 1.5 Now standard load
38 special 180 LBT 627 5 1.56 Unique 5.4 937 168660.00 .75 - 1 MAJOR
38 special 180 LBT 627 5 1.56 Trail Boss 4 657 118260.00
38 special 180 LBT 627 5 1.56 Trail Boss 4 657 118260.00
38 special 180 LBT 627 5 1.56 Unique 4.5 749 134820.00 1 - 1.5 Good Load
38 special 180 LBT 627 5 1.56 Solo1000 3.8 704 126720.00 Check again
38 special 180 LBT 627 5 1.56 231 4 745 134100.00
38 special 180 LBT 627 5 1.56 VV 320 3.5 651.5 117270.00 3.8 to make minor
38 special 180 LBT 686 6 1.56 Blue Dot 8..4 1144 205920.00
38 special 180 LBT 627 5 1.56 Blue Dot 8.4 1046 188280.00
Some load data I've developed for the 180 grain LBT Cast .357 bullet. All out of my 686 or 627

Data lists Caliber, Bullet weight, mould, Gun, Barrel length, OAL, Powder, Grains, Velocity and Power factor.

I just ordered a Seico Mould in 180 grain as well.

[KYCaster]

for WC-820 are you talking what Jeff called fast lot using HS-7 Data or the newer versions of
WC-820 using AA#9 data?

Mine seems to be a bit faster than AA#9.

Jerry

[Ole]

I have used 13gr of H110 with the Remington Jword 180 grainer in my 4" GP100 with good results.

1172 FPS is the avg from a 6 shot string with a 40fps ES.

[Cracker]

imashooter2,
Are those groups at 25 or 50yrds?

[imashooter2]

imashooter2,
Are those groups at 25 or 50yrds?

Fifty.

[Cracker]

[Adam10mm]

Thanks guys. I think I will have to get a pound of LilGun to try out.