The 357 Maximum is my favorite reloader round

[Peter M. Eick]

I was loading away today making more max rounds and was thinking how much I like the 357 Max on the press. It is tall enough that it is easy to pickup and load in the die plate but not so thin like the 30 carbine you have to be really careful not to crush it as you operate the press. Also it is not short like the 380 or 9mm that requires some hand eye coordination to get in just right.

I like the way the IMR4227 just flows right in and every charge is right on the button in terms of weight. It is just a great combination to work with. Also the charges are darn near full so you can see the powder every time.

I like the way the round can take just about any bullet over 158 grns and really lob it out there. I especially like the 180 grn lead TC lasercast's as they are easy to pick up and get in the case nice and straight.

Like I said, for me, the 357 Maximum is just about perfect for my style of reloading. I actually timed 100 rnds on my pro2000 as I was just loafing along to see how I was working. I did 100 in 12 minutes including getting out the primer strips (preloaded APS are great), refilling the reservoir of powder and bullets and getting things stacked after I filled the bin. 500 per hour is not bad for a comfortable careful pace.

Are there any rounds that just work for your style of loading and you just happened to work well with?

 

[Walkalong]

.45 ACP probably.


Short: Easy to see into to check powder charge.

Fat: Easy to pick up. Easy to seat a bullet.

 

[atblis]

When going from 9mm to 10mm I notice a big difference. 10mm runs very well on the 650. I think the large primers work better too. Seem to seat easier.

 

[ArchAngelCD]

Peter M. Eick,
It sounds like you are in love... There's nothing like being in love, good for you Sir...

BTW, what velocities can you generate from a .357 Max with a 180gr bullet?

 

[DWFan]

The Maximum ranks right up there as one of the most misunderstood cartridges of all time. It doesn't help that 90% of the load data out there was developed with the Ruger Blackhawk in mind and severely limits the round. The Dan Wesson SuperMag and Seville single action can handle combinations that the Ruger can only dream of. In the Contender, the Maximum is right there with the .357 Herrett and .35 Remington with a lot less recoil and no headspacing issues.
Now if someone would just produce a lever-action carbine for it.
ArchAngelCD, one gentleman is getting over 2200 fps with a 180gr Hornady SSP from his 24" barrel T/C carbine.
http://357maximum.com/

 

[jmorris]

The odd ball 50 bmg and 458 socom are different but 9mm and 223 by the thousands are still fun (and leave no mark on the shoulder).

 

[ArchAngelCD]

ArchAngelCD, one gentleman is getting over 2200 fps with a 180gr Hornady SSP from his 24" barrel T/C carbine.

WOW, that matches or beats the 30-30 w/170gr bullet.

I have been developing a 140gr load for the .357 Magnum for use in a Carbine I'm hoping will work well for Deer. I have to do some tests on velocity and accuracy first before I even consider it. I've loaded a lot of different rounds to test including 140gr, 158gr and 180gr Hornady XTP bullets, 140gr, 150gr and 170gr Sierra JHC bullets and a 180gr Hard Cast bullet from Cast Performance.

 

[Peter M. Eick]

The question to me on the velocities out of my max with 180s. I have pushed them up to the 1550 - 1600 fps range with no stickiness or other indications of excessive pressure. I really need to run a ladder test this spring and look for case head expansion indications before I go much further.