[LightningMan]

Thompson contenders? I have a friend whom has one and wants to know if there's some data for Contenders only loads, or not. Kind of like some loading books have Ruger only loads listed seperatly from the standard data. He's looking to make some hot loads for 180 gr. jacketed hollow points. Anyone have some information would help, thanks. LM

[rcmodel]

No.

Lyman #49 has a Contender section with .357 loads, but they are the same SAAMI spec loads found in the revolver section.

They just tell you what the velocity was in a 10" Contender without a barrel/cylinder gap.
That right there is worth 200-400 FPS depending on powder & bullet weight.

He can get 1,400+ with a 180 at standard pressure.

rc

[Lost Sheep]

The "Ruger only" loads got that name because there are more Rugers in existence that will take the more powerful loads than any other maker. Thompson-Contender, Freedom Arms, and other makers have fewer numbers, but equal (or possibly greater) strength.

I believe your T-C is plenty strong enough for the "Ruger only" loads.

This is second-hand information, but I find it credible.

The T-C single shot pistol uses the same action for the .357 Magnum as it does for the 30-30, .357 Herret and other rifle-pressure cartridges. My (1984, fifth printing) Speer manual has the .357 Herrett delivering a 110 grain jacketed bullet at 2300 to 2669 (max) feet per second and 180 grain jacketed bullets at over 1900 fps out of a 14" barrel Thompson Contender. But that book is 27 years old and does not give pressure information. I can't lay my hands on my Lyman book at the moment.

For greater reassurance, I would try to find a forum that specialized in T-C guns and post my question there. I googled, but in a quick search did not find such a forum, but there has GOT to be one.

Good luck to you and to your friend.

Lost Sheep

[rcmodel]

But, there are no published "Ruger only" .357 Magnum loads.

That applies to .44 Spl & .45 Colt loads mostly.

rc

[buck460XVR]

He's looking to make some hot loads for 180 gr. jacketed hollow points.


Whose 180gr JHPs? Odds are they are designed to perform @ standard .357 velocities and in the case of deer sized and larger game may exhibit poor terminal performance when used above velocities of 14-1500 fps. This is why I tend to stick to hard cast, JSPs or XTP-FPs in my .357 carbines when used for hunting. For targets, regular JHPs work just fine.

[eldon519]

I have never personally verified, but I have read both the 180gr Hornady XTP and Rem SJHP are designed for .357 Maximum velocities.

I am pretty sure you could also have your Contender re-chambered to .357 Maximum if you want. It would still shoot .357 mag but would also allow you to get into some pretty high velocity loads.

[Lost Sheep]

I have never personally verified, but I have read both the 180gr Hornady XTP and Rem SJHP are designed for .357 Maximum velocities.

I am pretty sure you could also have your Contender re-chambered to .357 Maximum if you want. It would still shoot .357 mag but would also allow you to get into some pretty high velocity loads.
Best idea I've read so far. Why didn't I think of that?

I know! Doesn't T-C make a .357 Maximum barrel? If you get another barrel, you don't have to make a choice.

Lost Sheep

[R.W.Dale]

My "metallic cartridge reloading" 3rd edition book has some data just for T/C single shots that is slightly different with some powders compared to the revolver loads. Ill snap a JPEG later and post it.

http://img.tapatalk.com/adca79b8-6b53-2c61.jpg

posted via mobile device.

[kanook]

T/C has a loading book for their pistols in print. (or was in print)

I have the Lyman Third Edition Pistol & Revolver handbook. On page 212 is where the T/C loading info starts. On page 246 is the 357mag loading data for the contender. The difference I have noticed is the COL.

Ruger has a longer cylinder than some of the other 357mags out there, so in some ways there are "Ruger Only" loads for the 357mag. Although some of the Dan Wessons have a cylinder just as long, so it would be "Ruger, Wesson, Contender Only" loads.

[eldon519]

.357 magnum is somewhat distinct in its evolution from .45 Colt in that while newer, higher pressure data has been coming out for the .45 Colt to accommodate stronger firearms being made, for the .357 magnum, maximum load pressure has been decreasing by means of SAAMI. Originally .357 magnum was set at 46,000 CUP which I have read was in the ballpark of 41,000-42,000 PSI (you can't precisely convert CUP to PSI). As of 1995, SAAMI .357 data was set at 35,000 PSI.

You don't really need to seek out special hot data for the TC, just use old 46,000 CUP data, and you already will be enjoying a performance jump (though not as drastic as .45 Colt to .45 Colt "Ruger data" for instance).