357 Max powder

[olywa]

Anybody here using Lil'Gun in their Max? I've got a 12" Contender that I'd like to work up some loads for. I haven't seen much in the way of loading data for Lil'Gun in the Max, and I wanted a starting point for 180gr XTPs and 170gr Gold Dots. I'm hoping that I can get good velocity with lower pressure like I do in my 357 Mag with 158gr bullets.

 

[Hobie]

Yes. Lil'Gun is great for max velocities with the 180 and 200 gr. bullets in the Max. I've an article up on the subject...

 

[olywa]

Thanks Hobie, good information. It sounds like 20gr would be a reasonable starting point for the 180gr XTP. I noticed that you used CCI 400 primers. I've got a stock of CCI 450's. Does backing off to 20gr of Lil'Gun with that primer seem reasonable to you? Or would you start a little lower?

 

[The Bushmaster]

Aah...Let's make sure that everyone knows that the above loads are for the .357 MAXIMUM and not for the .357 magnum....Don't want any guns going KA-BOOM

 

[steveno]

WW-680 used to be the best powder for the 357 max until winchester stopped making it. I have two cans left but if you should ever find it at a gunshow or something buy it. H-110 is also good but maybe a little fast for the heavy bullets

 

[Hobie]

I found that in some guns the CCI450 primer is preferred. However, one MUST use the small RIFLE primers.