anyone reloading .357 maximum? yes...maximum

[ZombieHunter]

my pop has one and i'm thinking of getting into it and loading this round for him. suggestions besides "use 158gr or larger to avoid strap cutting"? i think i also heard use slow burn powder

 

[charby]

I've always wanted to shoot one.

I bet H100, Lil' Gun or Win 296 would work well for a powder and 180g Hornady XTP for a bullet.

 

[Ben Shepherd]

Vit N110, 296/H110 H4227, AA#9, or 2400 would be good powders to try. I like a stiff charge of 296 under the 180 XTP myself.

 

[MMCSRET]

I have used all listed and AA1680 depending largely on barrel length and bullet weight. I like heavier bullets, at least 170 and have used 200's cast and jacketed. Again, depending on the gun.

 

[Fatelvis]

I use a Dan Wesson Supermag w/8" barrel and a custom T/C G2 both chambered in 357 Max for IHSMA competition, and they both can shoot extremely accurately using the right load. I prefer Hornady's 180 XTP seated to the longer cannalure, and a stiff charge of IMR4227. (I used to really like H4227, but now it is discontinued), I spark it off with Remington's 71/2 primer. Lyman's 358627 mould (also no longer made) throws nice heavy 215 grn. Keith style (but w/gas check) cast bullets, that are also hard hitting, and almost as accurate as the XTP.

 

[NCsmitty]

10" T Contender with 22gr. of Rel-7 under Hornady's 180gr. PSP Single Shot Pistol bullet. About 1650fps and is accurate and potent and about 3gr under Ammoguide's Max load. Avoid ball powders and lighter bullets as they create the erosive problems in revolvers.

NCsmitty

 

[steveno]

the reason for the top strap cutting is that you have a very high pressure gas going through an orifice which in this case is the cylinder gap. you will get the same cutting with any high pressure round in a revolver.

 

[Japle]

I used an 8" Dan Wesson .357 Max for metallic silhouette competition.

Best loads (I had no use for light bullets):

Hornady 158 JHP / 21.0 / IMR4227 / 1495 fps / SD 33
Hornady 160 FMJ / 20.8 / IMR4227 / 1508 fps / SD 26
Hornady 180 FMJ / 20.2 / IMR4227 / 1422 fps / SD 19

All loads with Federal brass and CCI 400 primers.

Start at least 10% low and work up. YMMV.

The 180 gr load was real positive on the 200 meter rams. They came off the stands without any hesitation at all!

 

[deadhawg]

I load for a Ruger 357 Maximum, usually with 4227 or 296, and usually with 170 or 180 gr bullets. I don't have them with me, but the latest Speer and Sierra reloading books have data for the 357 Maximum. I have heard that the top strap cutting is worse with lighter bullets, but have no proof of that. I have also heard that the top strap cutting only goes so far then stops, but again, I can't say for sure thats a fact, but on my Ruger I noticed a little cutting after a couple hundred rounds of mostly 158 and 180 Gr bullets, but it hasn't gotten any deeper in the last 1,000 or so rounds.

 

[steveno]

the gas cutting on the top strap will stop at a certain point. there isn't a safety problem of any kind. it is just a small problem you have to put up with shooting a high pressure round in a revolver

 

[Peter M. Eick]

I am right in line with Japle a few posts up.

4227 is the way to go. Avoid ball powders as they sand blast the cut into the top strap.

21 grns of 4227 with a 158 JHP was my plinking load. 20 grns of 4227 and a 180 grn FMJ is now my standard. I am looking for a good 200 grn full lead bullet to play with next.

The last picture is of my flame cut currently. It has really stablized now that I moved to heavier bullets and only 4227.