Heavy cast bullets in .357s

[Glen]

I have been working with two cast bullets for the .357 that are very interesting designs – the NOE 360 180 GC-FP, and a 200 grain GC-FP from Mountain Molds. I was looking for cast bullet designs that had enough weight and meplat to be useful hunting bullets, a short enough nose to fit comfortably in the S&W N-frame cylinder, an ogive that would cycle smoothly in a Marlin 1894 levergun, and a GC for the .357 Maximum and Marlin levergun velocities. Both of these bullets are proving to be exactly what I was looking for. I’m still working up loads, but the general overview is that for the 180s, velocities are running about 1200+ fps from the .357 Mag revolvers, and close to 1600 fps from the Marlin levergun; with the 200s, I am seeing 1150-1200 fps from the revolvers and 1400-1500 fps with the levergun. I am very pleased with both of these bullet moulds (sizing these .357” for the sixguns, and .359” for the Marlin).

 

[Brad]

I really need to get a 357 throating reamee to use on my Marlin. It has a short, steep throat and is miserable with the 185 Ranch Dog bullet. Only thing I can get to shoot in that rifle is the MP 360640.
A SWC type bullet is even worse. By worse I mean 5 inches at 50 yards is a good group!

 

[Ian]

The heavy-for-caliber concept has always intrigued me, although I've never attempted it in .357 Magnum. Isn't it great to have all these custom makers generating affordable moulds? I can also see those bullets working well in a .357 Maxiumum cartridge. I think it was you, Glen, that got me started on the "thumper" idea which lead to me working up an outstanding, standard-pressure load for my Ruger New Vaquero 7.5" using the Lee 340-grain plain-based bullet squeezed down to .4525". It's a little something for backup in piggie country and isn't quite as deafening as a .44 Magnum if I have to use it without hearing protection. Please keep us posted as you get the loads fine-tuned, I might just try this out too.

 

[JSH]

Only 357 smith I have left is my 19. I have since moved on to Ruger and not looked back.
My 6" GP had been subjected to some hot 180-200 loads prior to me owning it. I still run 180's in it but they are toned down a fair bit. I still run the hot loads for hunting as the accuracy is there.
In the 357 magnum and 180-200's I have gotten smaller groups at top end loads. I never could get the skeeter bullet and load to work for me in anything.
My FA digest a 220 with a case full of 296/110. My shooting mentor has shot some 3" groups at 200m with it on good days when both were younger.
Jeff

 

[Winelover]

I have been working with two cast bullets for the .357 that are very interesting designs – the NOE 360 180 GC-FP, and a 200 grain GC-FP from Mountain Molds. I was looking for cast bullet designs that had enough weight and meplat to be useful hunting bullets, a short enough nose to fit comfortably in the S&W N-frame cylinder, an ogive that would cycle smoothly in a Marlin 1894 levergun, and a GC for the .357 Maximum and Marlin levergun velocities. Both of these bullets are proving to be exactly what I was looking for. I’m still working up loads, but the general overview is that for the 180s, velocities are running about 1200+ fps from the .357 Mag revolvers, and close to 1600 fps from the Marlin levergun; with the 200s, I am seeing 1150-1200 fps from the revolvers and 1400-1500 fps with the levergun. I am very pleased with both of these bullet moulds (sizing these .357” for the sixguns, and .359” for the Marlin).

View attachment 221 View attachment 222

I have the NOE 180 RNFP mold with the PB/GC option. I'm getting good groups with 2400 and load data from RCBS's Cast Bullet Manual. They recommend a starting load of eleven grains to a maximum of twelve. I settled on 11.5 grains in my Rossi carbine. I'm sizing to .359 diameter. Haven't gotten around to actually shooting it in my six inch Python, but the throats are .359/.360 and they chamber fine.

 

[waco]

I also have the NOE 180 RNFP mold. Mine is a 2 cavity brass RG2. I have not played around with it a whole lot yet. This thread got me thinking about it though. I have loaded these is solid form over 12gr of 2400. They hit steel hard! I have shot them out of my 4" Taurus Tracker with decent results. I also have a 6" Colt King Cobra, 16" Rossi lever, and a 1894 Marlin that I need to try them in.

 

[358156hp]

I ordered this mould from NOE last Friday. It showed up in todays (Monday) mail. Mine has the solid, cup, and hollowpoint pins as well. I have run it through the heat-treating cycle twice so far. I'm still working on my major Mag-20 rebuild project now that my PID is done. We don't have any 2400 around here, so I'll be using WC820 for heavy loads, and perhaps Unique for the mid-range stuff. It's weird around here, we can get Hodgdon powders, but no Alliant. No biggie, I suppose.

 

[Brad]

No 2400? Ha, I have a bunch. I shoulda bought another 8 pounder when I could.

I need to try the 175 RD more in my GP100. I think I solved a few of my issues with that revolver recently.

 

[waco]

I got 50 of the NOE 180's sized and lubed ready to load up. 11-12gr of 2400 to test in Marlin 1894 cowboy with a 24" barrel.

 

[Glen]

I think you will be pleased! With the 180s, I like 12.5 grains of 2400. About 1600 fps from my Marlin, and about 1250 from a sixgun.

 

[freebullet]

I have several different 180grain that I have yet to try in the gp100, it's on the short list.

 

[Pistolero]

That loaded round looks a lot like the Federal Cast Core 180 .357 round, which I picked up
to have for possible bear duty if the wife was handling the .357 rather than me on the .44,
as is normal. Looks great and the Fed Cast Core shoots amazingly well, both .357 and .44
mag.
One project for the future is to match those loads with my own cast, hasn't bubbled to
the top yet.

Bill

 

[argie1891]

I have shot both the saeco 245 gr. bullet and the lyman 358009 in my handi rifle both shoot well with the saeco beating the lyman by a hair. And it may be that on a different day they may change positions. I will have to check my loading book to find charge data. It is one of those projects I want to get back to when I have time. So much shooting to do and only so much time to do it in. if you are interested I can find the load data. argie1891

 

[358156hp]

Hi Joe! Welcome to the boards!

Bob

 

[KHornet]

The 190 RDGC shoots well out of my 94Win, over loads of Blue Dot and AA#9. Stays in about 3" at 100 from the bench.

 

[Kaytod]

I like the 180 grain bullet in the 357. A few years back I had a partial run of molds made in LEE 6 cav mold. The nose to crimp is .445 and is a bore rider. The purpose the bullet was multiple. One was to be able to use 38 spl brass with 357 data, as the 180 is right at the same OAL as a 357. Second is for the 357 Mag in large frame revolvers. In the Blackhawk, it will just fit giving a full cylinder. This will get me about halfway to a 357 Max in a standard large frame revolver. Last two applications are for the 357 Max and 35 Rem in Contenders.

IF this will work, ( my first time trying ) I'll put some pictures up. ( wow that was easy! )

First pic is of the full cylinder with loaded round
Second: Cartridge on the outside of the cylinder
Third: the combination
Fourth: Left is an unfired bullet, Right is recovered from a butcher steer. Shot at 25 yards, Velocity was 1600 fps, Bullet went through the skull and first vertebra, traveled down the neck and came to rest at the point of the loin under the right shoulder. As I remember, It was over 26 inches of penetration.

 

[Rick]

I've been following this thread since it started. I shot long range for so many years I have to remind myself that to most people 180 gr in the 357 is a heavy for caliber bullet.

 

[358156hp]

I tried hard to like 358627 when it first came out. Alas, it didn't share my affection. I had great success with it for bowling pins though. I couldn't seem to make it hit anything beyond perhaps 50 yards, and a score of 10 is simply not competitive.

 

[KHornet]

Guess after all is said and done, I am an old Keith follower, and when it comes down to it, I like the 170 Keith SWC. My mold drops right at 359, size to 358, White Label 2500, BLL overcoat, over 12 gr + of 2400 for my Ruger, and my 94 Win. Would consider it to be an adequate 100 yd deer load.

 

[waco]

Just thought I'd rehash this thread. I have a new heavy 357 mold on the way. I still have the 180 RNPF NOE GC mold. This new one is from Accurate. A 185gr plain base. I think a plain base will fill most of my needs. It should be here in a couple days. Looking forward to testing this bullet in my revolvers and levers!http://www.accuratemolds.com/bullet_detail.php?bullet=36-185E-D.png