Has any one got a really good 50 yard hard hitting target load for a 160 gr. Lyman hard cast button nose wad cutter 357 maximum . Looking for loads that you have shot your self --not a published load anyone can look up. Contender loads are ok also. I have 12 powder manuals but not even Lyman cast bullets which makes the mold has info on the 357 -160 gr. maximum. LEE is the closest but not for a hard cast bnwc. Thanks.

Probably 2400, check Alliant and see what they say.

All I am looking for is what someone has shot with a 160 gr bnwc only that will group at 50 to 100 -Not book data. Someone that has been there and done it. I have a new mold and thought someone could save me some time.--Thanks -Not looking for other data.

8.2 grains of 800X in .357 I usually use a 150 gr button nose wadcutter but it works with 160 grain SWC and ought to be fine with the heavier wadcutter as well. Most don't consider 1150 fps wadcutters as "target loads" but it most assuredly is hardhitting....and it shoots good for me.

IME, the Ly358462 160 gr button nose wc tumbled after 50 yards. It hit hard but accuracy wasn't there for me. I went to a rf.

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If you want a good .357 Magnum target load I highly suggest you load the ammo with upper end .38 Special load data.

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SWCA #3437

Thanks ArchAngel--Power pistol & Bullseye is not working. Maybe we are going to slow. No problem with 38s--Just need info for mag and maximum -- which is a little longer--about 1300 or so. I have a 22+ hard bullet that has to be seated deep. It looks like a 148 bnwc only longer. My friend had a longer barrel made with a faster twist and a 170 --200 gr. jacketed bullet is ok. The gun shoots really good with a heavy jacketed bullet. I feel like the right powder will make this thing group better with lead.

I can understand why Power Pistol is giving you a problem with such limited case space but I'm a little surprised Bullseye isn't doing a good job. You would think you can get enough Bullseye in the case to push the bullet to respectable velocities since it's such a fast powder.

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SWCA #3437

Thanks for the info--If we can straighten it out will post next week. Just looking for a cheaper bullet. By the way --do you remember what powder you were using so I can pass on using that? -----------------I found some load data this morning in the LEES loading book with 800x n350 & 4227. Will try some of that.--Looks like we are going to be wasting our time-- but who knows? Looks like these powders have about the same burn rate as Herco.

What shoots well in my gun, won't necessarily shoot worth a hoot in your gun. I don't know what to tell you if you don't want book loads (what do you expect? A book load isn't a single hard and fast formula and they aren't a single load, i.e.., you are given a range of powder charges or a "window"). And most of the time "hard hitting" and "target load" are way different loads...

I'd say find a powder/bullet combo in a reloading manual and start at the starting load and go up until you reach your goal. Been doin' it that way, quite successfully for 30 years.

I have used 800-x and a max load of Unique with a 160gr bullet with good accuracy but it was a Speer SJFP jacketed bullet for hunting............ not lead, for target shooting.

I have only gone up to a 158gr lead swc so far and 2400 and Green Dot have worked the best for me so far but I am still in the testing and velocity part of my game. No finals as yet.

Good luck getting a load to shoot.

Thanks--- So you are shooting a 357 maximum and not a 357 mag? Maximum 357 loads are what I am looking for --not 357 magnum. There is not much info on 357 maximum. LEE has this 160 gr. bullet over 1500 fps. We aren't having problems with heavier bullets.

I used BE trying for a target load. It was warm for me and BE I also tried AA2 again for paper only.
I have had decent results with H110 and 296 in the 357 Max handie rifle with heavier bullets in the 200-235 gr range.

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2400 or W296 always worked for me.

Hello--Lets forget about a magnum. I wiped the magnum out in my original post. You seem to be the only person that knows what I am asking. Shouldn't a 200 gr. jacketed .357 maximum bullet with a 1 in 14 twist 13 inches long with a 6 power scope do a little better than 3 inches at 100 yards with 5 shots? Do you think the 160 bnwc will be a waste of time? Power pistol is the jacket load but it will not work with lead. What twist does your rifle have?

A lot of people lie. 3 powders & no luck. IT seems like lead will not work. No keyholes but all over the place & no lead in the barrel. Under 2 inches @ 100- 5 shot group with a 200 jacket. So for looks like post 5 is on the right track.

I can't help you with the specifics you're requesting because I don't have a 357 Maximum. However, the fact that you are getting good groups with a 200 grain bullet and not doing well with a 160 grain wadcutter may provide a clue as to why. Current thoughts on Twist Rates is that the longer the bullet the faster you have to spin it to keep it stabilized. For the weight Wadcutter profile bullets tend to pack the mass of the bullet into the shortest possible package. I think your issue isn't the lead bullet, it's the profile. You simply have a twist rate in your barrel that isn't well suited to the length of your bullet.

Another factor in play may be that you are going subsonic because Wadcutters aren't very aerodynamic. In fact they are about the least aerodynamic bullet you can find. So, what may start out at 1500 fps may only be clocking 950 fps 100 yards out. Spend some time around some long range precision rifle shooters and you'll hear lots of discussion about the supersonic range of various calibers, loads, and bullet weights. Because any time a bullet transitions through the sound barrier you get a real and observable loss in accuracy.

So, what to do. First, consider that particular bullet mold a good choice for plinking loads in 357 Magnum or 38 special and keep the bullets Subsonic. Second, start shopping for a mold that produces a longer round, or pointy nosed, profile. Third, if it means going heavier to gain length don't be afraid to do it. Yeah, it may mean having a custom mold made but you should be used to that by now, the 357 Maximum isn't exactly common.

Finally, stop messing around with all those fast burning powders, with your case volume that is an invitation to a blown up gun. I would suggest that you shop for some H110/W296, N110, N120, 4227, or 2400. I've found the key for good velocity with a heavier bullet in 357 Magnum is a good slow burning powder, not something on the fast end of the scale.

My Max is a rechambered 357 Magnum Handi Rifle. It will do 1 1/2" @100 yards with the RCBS 200 cast. I am unsure of twist and away from the gun. It has never seen jacketed. A lot of the problems with the max are due to the crazy specs in SAAMI. They show a huge freebore so it is difficult to seat the bullet just off the lands. I have a 10" contender bbl that I wish shot better. I get my best accuracy with it with a long bullet.

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