Friends All.....We see a ton of data for the big bores, but little interest in the medium bores in these great little rifles.
I needed another NEF for testing at Dixie Slugs so I would not have to change barrels so often. I acquied a like new NEF from Friend John Anderson that has been rechambered from .357 Mag to .357 Max. Since I have been very busy testing the big slugs in rifled barrels, I have done little with the .357 Max.
This week I started looking at data on the Max. Seems like most people a trying to use the fast powders and light bullets.
After checking the powder capacity, I found that the case could take 25 grs of IMR 4227 and 25 grs of RE7 and would not have the powder compressed to any real degree (Remington brass).
After some thought, I felt this would be great for 180 gr and 200 gr jacketed bullets. Both have the crimp groove near the back for use in .35 Remington.
I loaded a series with the Speer 180 Spire Point and the Hornady 200 gr bullets.
With the Crony at 10 yards I got the following from the NEF 22" barrel:
180 gr @ 1870'/" avg
200 gr @ 1855'/" avg
There was very little variation shot to shot and both loads appear very accurate.
Overall a very nice set of loads. They could be pushed faster, but really why. My next project is to test some 180 gr hard cast lead bullets.
Both sighted in at 100 yards, still are not bad out to 200.
Just some thoughts.....James

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Dixie Slugs of Old Town Hammock, Florida
"Home of the Dixie Terminator Slug"

Thanks for the report!! I've only shot the Dan Wesson 357maxi ammo in my 357mag> 357Maxi Handi, when that's all gone I plan on reloading for it, your data will be useful!!

Thanks,

Tim

James,
try some Hornady 180gr SSP bullets if you want it to shoot a little flatter with a bullet designed for the velocity you're getting. AA1680 is a great powder for this round, Lil'gun is showing some strong promise as well.

Righto! I have some loads that were shot in a 21" TC barrel using the Hornady 180 gr SSP bullet and LiL'Gun........22 grs of LiL'Gun @2123 avg '/".......Seems on the hot side????? I don't know what the jacket thickness on the SSP bullet or how it would react on game? I also have a load given me using the Hornady 200 gr RN (a good hog bullet) that calls for 20 grs of LiL'Gun @ 1939 avg '/".......which matches most factory 35 Remington loads. All his loads were primed with small rifle primers, as were mine. He shot the WW brand Remington 200 gr factory load in his 21" barrel and got only 1836 avg '/"?????????..........James

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Dixie Slugs of Old Town Hammock, Florida
"Home of the Dixie Terminator Slug"

Jame,
small rifle primers are the only thing to be using in the Max. I don't know how hot your loading is, as I shoot it out of a 14" barrel. I can get just shy of 2000fps with the 180gr SSP. I typically shoot a SAECO #356, which is a 200gr FPGC, cast from quenched wheelweights. I don't have my notes in front of me, but I think it runs 17-1800 fps from the 14" tube, with excellent accuracy when I can hold it.

I don't shoot any factory out of mine, never even seen the Winchester loading. I have a box or so of the original Federal factory stuff that came with a NIB SBH I bought a bunch of years ago.

Suppose I should shoot a few of the Federals from the open box I have.

I wonder has anyone shot any game with those 180 SSP bullets? What size game? and how did they perform? They sound ideal for the Max..........James

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Dixie Slugs of Old Town Hammock, Florida
"Home of the Dixie Terminator Slug"

Here's a site for some Max loads.
Site

26 grains of AA1680 will gives me 2060 fps with Hornady 180 XTP from my 357 Max Handirifle. Accurate as all get out. Killed a spike with this load two years ago, the performance was outstanding.

Thanks to all for their input! As I look more at the loads posted and from past experience with the great old .35 Remington.......I think I will stick with the Hornady 200 gr. roundnose Interlock. I know how this bullet performs on rather large Florida hogs (which is what I hunt most). I don't really need a 100 yard plus load. The posted load of 20 grs of LiL'Gun with that 200 gr bullet @ 1939 avg '/" from a 21" barrel looks interesting. It should be about 1950'/" from my 22" NEF barrel.........James

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Dixie Slugs of Old Town Hammock, Florida
"Home of the Dixie Terminator Slug"

[QUOTE=James Gates]Righto! I have some loads that were shot in a 21" TC barrel using the Hornady 180 gr SSP bullet and LiL'Gun........22 grs of LiL'Gun @2123 avg '/".......Seems on the hot side?????

LIL'GUN is cool stuff!!!
It is just slightly slower than H110 or W296 but LIL'GUN stays at peak pressure longer. This gives a longer excelleration time. I use H110 for moderate to max loads in 357mag and 45Colt and LIL'GUN in heavy for caliber bullets in the same two cartridges.

185 Grain bullets in 357mag and 310 Grain bullets in 45Colt. Out of 24 barrels they are thumpers!!

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In The Days of Old, When Men Were Bold, and A Quarter Was Still Worth A Dime.

If anyone interested ,I have a 357 Max FS, listed here on Trading post.
Thanks

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Buckeye


The 45/70 Government
Is the only Government
I trust

Check out my post # 198064

I'm really glad to find this site. I have a Rossi 357 Magnum I've been thinking of having rechambered and this makes it look more benefit than I'd expected.