357 Maximum, Reloading information?

[Peter M. Eick]

I picked up an effectively NIB Ruger Super Blackhawk today in 357 Maximum. I have had an interest in a the max for a while. I am about to order some Remington brass and some heavy bullets in the 158 to 180 grn range. Reading over my reloading manuals, it seems to me that the key points on the Maximum is to stay with heavy bullets and recognize that this gun is specialized and for long range blasting. My goal is mostly just playing with it.

I understand you can reload with 357 mag dies, but I will probably just buy another set so I don't have to adjust them every time.


So, all of you 357 Maximum fans, can you give me any tips, advice, loads, suggested reloading equipment and other ideas?

 

[griz]

I have a TC barrel in that caliber, but I haven't shot it in a long time. It likes slow powders of course, and heavy bullets do make sense unless you are just looking for the fastest 38 bullet from a handgun. I have not seen any data for it, but I suspect the Lil Gun would be a great powder in the 357 max.

 

[steveno]

in the revolver use nothing lighter than 158 grains with 2400 or 4277 powder.

 

[redneck2]

I suppose there are others, but the Lee book has a couple pages of stuff. I've got a .357 Herrett, which is little bigger than the Max. They fall into the category of "too small for a rifle, and too big for pistol". The very slowest pistol powder (H-110/296) to fastest rifle like AA 1680 seem to be the program.

While lighter bullets probably don't get the most out of the caliber, they're a lot less wear on your hand. You might use a shooting glove, and I'd suggest double ear protection.

Also, don't have anything sitting on your bench in front of the muzzle. The blast has to be seen/felt to be appreciated. I had some zip lock bags with various loads. The blast blew apart the bags and scattered the loads. From what we could tell, the bags got hot enough to melt slightly.

Any time you see a foot diameter fire ball in the middle of the day, it's impressive

I'd never shot an accuracy type handgun before, something in the long range category. I've got a 2x scope. There was a small bird at 100 yards plus. I was shooting off a solid bench with sandbags. It's amazing what a 110 grain bullet at maybe 2,500 fps does to a bird