180 gr 357.

[Yendor357]

The answer is simple if you have the right tool. And a Garmin Xero is the right tool for this job.

Decide how much velocity you want, within reason. Buffalo Bore is getting 1851 fps with their hard cast 180 in a Marlin. You don’t have the testing equipment they do, and their ammo is pretty maxed out. But you can chrono your loads. H110 works really well if you want the highest velocities in 357 rifles.
I think 1700 would probably be safely reached. The Win 92 pattern rifles are pretty strong. Watch for the standard over pressure signs. 1700 is 92% of 1850.

The book and a computer program may get you in the ballpark. But without a $600 Garmin, you’re a blind man shooting in the dark.

*Edit. Send 50 of those bullets to me. I’ll work up a load for you! lol

 

[Reloader Fred]

Hello Fred, it's been a while since we communicated.
Could you see if Quick Loads has the 357 magnum with RCBS 180 Silhouette Cast Gas check or the jacketed bullet with Lil Gun powder?
Thanks,
Wade

Hi Wade,
Unfortunately, I lost Quick Loads in a computer crash quite some time ago and never installed it on the replacement. If you subscribe to Loaddata.com, they've got several loads with LilGun listed with a similar bullet. You'd be safe using the loads they have listed for the 180 gr. Rim Rock LBT-WFN w/gc or the 180 gr. Cast Performance Wide Flatnose bullet.

Hope this helps.
Fred

 

[rockquarry]

The answer is simple if you have the right tool. And a Garmin Xero is the right tool for this job.

Decide how much velocity you want, within reason. Buffalo Bore is getting 1851 fps with their hard cast 180 in a Marlin. You don’t have the testing equipment they do, and their ammo is pretty maxed out. But you can chrono your loads. H110 works really well if you want the highest velocities in 357 rifles.
I think 1700 would probably be safely reached. The Win 92 pattern rifles are pretty strong. Watch for the standard over pressure signs. 1700 is 92% of 1850.

The book and a computer program may get you in the ballpark. But without a $600 Garmin, you’re a blind man shooting in the dark.

*Edit. Send 50 of those bullets to me. I’ll work up a load for you! lol

Wouldn't other chronographs besides Garmin also work well?

 

[Reloader Fred]

The answer is simple if you have the right tool. And a Garmin Xero is the right tool for this job.

Decide how much velocity you want, within reason. Buffalo Bore is getting 1851 fps with their hard cast 180 in a Marlin. You don’t have the testing equipment they do, and their ammo is pretty maxed out. But you can chrono your loads. H110 works really well if you want the highest velocities in 357 rifles.
I think 1700 would probably be safely reached. The Win 92 pattern rifles are pretty strong. Watch for the standard over pressure signs. 1700 is 92% of 1850.

The book and a computer program may get you in the ballpark. But without a $600 Garmin, you’re a blind man shooting in the dark.

*Edit. Send 50 of those bullets to me. I’ll work up a load for you! lol

The highest velocity, with lower pressure, is attained with Hodgdon Lil'Gun powder with 180 gr.+ cast bullets in .357 Magnum rifles. There's lots of data posted by the manufacturers. You just have to look for it.

Hope this helps.

Fred

 

[rockquarry]

The highest velocity, with lower pressure, is attained with Hodgdon Lil'Gun powder with 180 gr.+ cast bullets in .357 Magnum rifles. There's lots of data posted by the manufacturers. You just have to look for it.

Hope this helps.

Fred

I've never used Lil' Gun in anything; are the velocities with heavy bullets in the .357 as good or better than #2400? I still have a good supply of #2400 but will obviously go to something else when I run out. I'll look online for the data but I appreciate responses by those who have used Lil' Gun.

Several times when I've done load development with a new powder and then shoot groups, the new isn't as good as the old.

 

[Borderboss]

Below is the 180gr lead bullet section from the April 2021 Handloader Magazine article about loading for .357 rifle. I hope this helps.

 

[Yendor357]

^ I see the problem right now. He didn’t use nearly enough H110. Give me some of those 180 s. I’ll get them up to 1700! lol

Lil Gun is a good powder. But he doesn’t have any.
Gotta fight with the army you have.

 

[rockquarry]

Below is the 180gr lead bullet section from the April 2021 Handloader Magazine article about loading for .357 rifle. I hope this helps.

View attachment 765633

 

[rockquarry]

Thank you, Borderboss. I have that magazine and probably read that article, just don't remember doing so.

 

[Reloader Fred]

I've never used Lil' Gun in anything; are the velocities with heavy bullets in the .357 as good or better than #2400? I still have a good supply of #2400 but will obviously go to something else when I run out. I'll look online for the data but I appreciate responses by those who have used Lil' Gun.

Several times when I've done load development with a new powder and then shoot groups, the new isn't as good as the old.

My notes indicate very good accuracy with the Lil'Gun load with the 185 gr. RNFP-GC cast bullets I was using in my Marlin leverguns.

Hope this helps.

Fred

 

[mscampbell2734]

Just remember you have different guns with different chambers so to speak. Overall length has to be taken into consideration.

The rifle is limited in OAL because it has to feed and chamber. The 27 has a shorter cylinder then the 686, so those factors are going to limit your ammo.

 

[rockquarry]

My notes indicate very good accuracy with the Lil'Gun load with the 185 gr. RNFP-GC cast bullets I was using in my Marlin leverguns.

Hope this helps.

Fred

Thank you; I'm now waiting on a new Marlin .357.