| .357 mag loads [message #22977] |
Sun, 30 June 2013 23:14  |
rchatting
Messages: 499
Registered: August 2011
Location: Middle Georgia
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Forum Regular |
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Got another reloading question. So far I have only been able to get about 2.5" at 100 with my new 12" .357 mag contender bbl. I have tried a 185gr WFNGC bullet and 180SSP hornadys. With my .44mag in my encore, I have been able to get it down to 1.5" at 100 consistently. Will the .357 mag shoot that well? What loads/bullets have others had good luck with?
Thanks.
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| Re: .357 mag loads [message #22980 is a reply to message #22977] |
Mon, 01 July 2013 08:59  |
jamesgammel
Messages: 1708
Registered: August 2012
Location: Lovell, Wyoming
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Top Contributor |
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Rich,
As a general rule, the 35 cal contender barrels have exibited extremely accurate results, amongst the most accurate that T/C puts out. My 358JDJ (rechambered 35 Rem) shoots the 180 SSP well sub-MOA. The "classic" 357 mag load is a 158 grainer. The case is relatively very small in case capacity, especially in relation to bore size. I suspect you wanted to go with the 180SSP in an effort to get a pointed bullet with better areodynamics to keep velocities at greater distances. If so, I'd suggest the Rem 150 as a better bullet choice for your barrel. It should work well assuming you're looking at it as a 100yard deer combo.
The Rem 150 worked very well in my .35 Rem super 14, grouping only slightly larger than I get with the 358JDJ, but still sub-MOA. Are you shooting with open sites or with a scope? 2.5" groups with open sites is pretty good, and well Kill-zone accurate at 100 for deer-sized game.
Jim
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| Re: .357 mag loads [message #23069 is a reply to message #23066] |
Fri, 05 July 2013 14:19 |
jamesgammel
Messages: 1708
Registered: August 2012
Location: Lovell, Wyoming
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Top Contributor |
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Rich,
That article was concerning shooting .357 mag cases at 357 Max loads/pressures in a 357 Rem MAX chamber. The longer chamber allows for seating the bullets out so that it has a chance to seal in the bore reducing or eliminating "blow-by". You read that as approaching 357 Max lengths in a much shorter chamber.
Try this: take a re-sized .357 MAG case with no primer, and hand insert a bullet of choice (Like the 180 SSP) so that it's as barely in as you can get it and it still is "held straight), and insert it into the chamber. If it hits the lands, likely the bullet will be shoved in deeper. That should tell you max length you can have that bullet seated out. I'm worried that if you go for max out (just concerned with holding the bullet, then use a real heavy crimp, you'll end up driving the bullet into the bore, and get it "stuck".
That article was a suggested "work-around" for those with 357 MAX chambered guns who were having difficulty finding/obtaining .357 MAX brass. If you really want .357 Max performance you might consider having your barrel re-chambered to a .357 Max; which Bellm offers a special deal on. D&T will also provide the same service, just maybe not as cheap a deal.
I've read several places where using heavy bullets (like the 180's) with 296/H-110 powder it really helps to use a heavy crimp.
Hope this helps a little,
Jim
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