Where do you get your357 Max load data?

Brother_Love

Well-Known Member
The only manual I have with 357 Max is the Lee. It is not my favorite but it is all I have. Where do you get your data for this cartridge? (Cast bullet loads)
Many thanks, Malcolm
 
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Brother_Love

Well-Known Member
Here are the bullets I have to use in it.
From left, Lee 358-200 RF, MP 225 HP, Ranch Dog 358-200, Lee 358-158.
A1B2460E-2FAD-40A6-94C8-6E4CB3A50AD9.jpeg
 

Rick

Moderator
Staff member
Were it me I would forget the 158 gr bullet. The entire point in the development of the Maxi is to drive heavy for caliber bullets as fast or faster than standard weight bullets in a revolver in the mag case. Unless your just looking for a mouse fart load in which case a 38 special would do just as well.
 

Rick

Moderator
Staff member
Not one of your 4 listed bullets but I would go straight to the RCBS 35 200. That bullet has done extremely well for me in everything I've put it in including revolvers. As a suggestion, start with the LEE 200 or the MP 225. Wow that MP bullet sure carries a lot of lube.
 

Brother_Love

Well-Known Member
I’ve got the RCBS too. I may cast a few of them too. I also have the RCBS 250 and the NOE 245 RN.
 
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Rick

Moderator
Staff member
I have the RCBS 250 also but haven't done anything with it, would be quite interesting in the Maxi I think.

Here it is just for comparison next to a 357 mag case.

357 brass RCBS 259 gr.jpg
 

Rick

Moderator
Staff member
I looked in the Accurate reloading book, the only one I have here with me. They list no rifle loads but no reason the handgun loads wouldn't work just as well or better in a rifle; They list 1680, 2015BR and 2230. If those were my choices I would start with 1680, an excellent powder for the Maxi and over 125 fps better velocity than the other two with the same bullet weight.
 

Brother_Love

Well-Known Member
Thanks for the help. I do not have the Lyman 50th but I will in about an hour. I’m getting my brass next week and my barrel will be back in about2 weeks.
 

fiver

Well-Known Member
iirc sierra's manual had all of the big super mag and maximum type data.
I found the data for my 450 express [yeah it's a revolver round] in there.
if you want speed with weight going straight to AA's 1680 will save you lots of time.
if your staying with a 180 H-110 will be your friend.
[yeah that didn't rhyme, okay now it does, wait no it don't ,,, never mind]
 

Will

Well-Known Member
The hornady manual and accurate arms website is where I got most of my data. The 2 listed above give data for TC contender data which uses longer OAL and higher charges of pressure.

I used both of these as a starting point but mainly shoot ladders and watch the chronograph. I don’t think you can get enough AA1680 in the case to give you any problems.

The following groups were all 5 shots at 100yds. I’ve posted them before but I’m not sure if you have seen them. Keep in mind these are being shot out of a encore that has the throat cut to allow for longer seating of the bullet.
 

JSH

Active Member
I run 4227 in both of my wheel guns. D Bradshaw directed me to that. Hard to argue with one that had a big part in the cartridge.
 

Brother_Love

Well-Known Member
I just got a Lyman 50th. I have most of those powdersbut I add some 1680 to my shopping list.
Thanks, good shooting!
 

fiver

Well-Known Member
in case you get wanting to try the 250.
I used AA-2230 under the saeco 250 I just started where 1680 ended.
not gonna get in any trouble there.

4227 is also a good one in the Max case, it's good in the 445 too with 300+gr. bullets.
 

Will

Well-Known Member
Alliant 300MP is another good one although there is not any data out there that I have seen.

With it I shot 22.5gr with the NOE 360-180. Average velocity 18” barrel 1966fps

22.0gr with the Noe hp copy of the RCBS 35-200. 1913fps 18” barrel

Also have some Win 296 records with the 35-200hp and NOE 360-180WFN

35-200
19gr av vel 1795fps
19.5gr av vel 1839fps

360-180
19.5gr av vel 1952

All of these loads were using rem 7 1/2 primers
 

358156 hp

At large, whereabouts unknown.
The old, and I do mean old, Hodgdon reloading manuals have sections on reloading for handgun silhouette. I think IHMSA still has an internet presence, and those guys like nothing better than to discuss things like pet loads for 357 Max.
http://www.ihmsa.org/forum/index.php
 

Brother_Love

Well-Known Member
The data I’m getting call for both pistol and rifle primers but I am leaning toward rifle especially the recommended Remington 7 1/2.