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Reloading 357 mag with 187gr WFNGC

5K views 5 replies 5 participants last post by  JackoP 
#1 ·
I purchased 100 of the Cast Performance 187 grain WFNGC bullets. I plan to use either 2400 or Lil'gun to load these. Does anybody have any information on powder charges for either of these powders? Thanks.
 
#2 ·
You should have gotten a sheet of paper with recommended load data in the box. Maybe they have stopped doing this. Anyway for the 187 gr. WFNGC the only data from Cast Performance is:

AA9 = 10.1 gr. min. 11.2 gr. max
H110 = 12.5 gr. min. 13.5 gr. max

You should contact Cast Performance and verify that load data before using it.

Note: Hodgdon's reloading site doesn't show data above 180grns with a Nosler Partition but at that level it shows a max of 13.5 grns of H110 (same as the max with Cast Performance's 187grn WFNGC) and a max of 15.0 grns of Lil'Gun. So you can use your own judgment as to what you might consider for your Cast Performance 187grn loads.

In any event, start low and work up your loads as your gun / bullet combination may produce different results.
 
#3 ·
You reload cartridges by bullet WEIGHT not brand or type so you could use data for 190-200 gr bullets for that caliber.

For all those who wish to use an online software program goto the POWLEY calculator... http://kwk.us/powley.html ...the interior ballistics program is also found on many reloading forums. With it you can calculate just about any load combination you want or develop new ones.

Email Cast Perf...they probably will have the info you want...I LIKE their bullets.

Steves pages might have some data also or just search the web for load data for 190-200 gr bullets for 375 Mag.

Start low and work up slow... words to live by.

Luck
 
#4 ·
Personally, I would go with Lil' Gun. I use the Hodgdon load of 15.0 grs. which is shown with a 180 gr. bullet under the 187 gr. LBT bullet. It works well.:) As with any data back of 10% to start.

John
 
#5 ·
I didn't want to double post. Luckily I found my post from way back in 2010. Anyways, life has been busy, but I did find time to try a couple loads with the 187 grain out of my Ruger 77/357. My rifle is zeroed at 100 yards for the AE 158 JSP 357 magnum factory ammo. It seems to like these. On a good day, it will group very close to 1". The first group of five I tried was loaded with 13.5 grains of H110. The spread was 2.25 inches and hit 5.5 inches low. That's about what I was expected for a heavier bullet. Then I tried five loaded with 9.0 grains of Bluedot. They hit 7.5" low but the group was tighter at 2.0". Finally, I tried Lil'gun since this powder seems to be popular in 357 rifles and was recommended by John. I did not try the 15.0 grain load yet, that being the maximum in my notes/books. 14.5 grains gave me a group of 2.75" but it only hit 1.5" lower than the factory AE 158s the rifle is zeroed for. So like everybody says, It appears the Lil'gun is giving me more velocity. I know the report was louder and had a sharper crack to it. Recoil wasn't any different that I could tell. I then tried some 148 wadcutter pest control loads loading with Bullseye at 50 yards. They grouped at aroun 1.5", just hit lower as you can imagine. They sounded like a 22 LR. Overall, I'm very happy with the rifle. I hunt deer and groundhogs with it. The rifle lays across the ATV nicely and is super light. I'd hunt rabbits with the 148s if it was legal in PA. I plan to increase the Lil'gun load and see if I get it to hit where the rifle is zeroed with the factory ammo.
 
#6 ·
Those Ruger 77's are an interesting Rifle. A few Folks in my neck of the woods have re-barrelled their .44 Mags to .357 Bain Davis, impressive little Round ! Best part of Re-loading is the experimenting with different Powder, Projectiles and watching the results

I am conservative with my Reloads and in my Lever Rifle 15 grains of LilGun under a 180 gr Cast Projectile extracts easily, shoots clean, accurate and most importantly into the same groups and trajectory as my 158 gr Cast Projectiles do at 50 Yards. LilGun is the powder for heavy Projectile .357 Loads

regards Jacko
 
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