load info for 357 max

[biggjimm]

Hey all. I've been a member for a while but usually just read thru & try to learn a few things.
I've been reloading for a couple years now & have a couple loads developed that work real nice in one of my Encore 357 max barrels. The other one, a 20" SS custom shop mag barrel that has been re-chambered to a max, won't shoot a group for nothing. I want to load some bullets long to get closer to the rifling & need a powder that doesn't require a heavy crimp since I won't be in the crimp groove. I've got some IMR 4227 but don't know if it requires a firm crimp or not.
Any ideas on this or any other powder for this particular application?
Also, I've got a standard RCBS roll crimp seater die, a RCBS taper crimp seater die & a Lee factory crimp die for loading the max.
Thanks. Jim.

 

[jsn_mooney]

I've had the best luck with AA1680 for both 158GR XTP FPs & 180GR SSP Bullets. If you are looking for a long bullet, those SSP bullets should get you alot closer to the lands than an XTP.

 

[parson]

I haven't been able to find the SSP bullets for some time, but my maxi Handi rifle shoots 180 grain XTPs very accurately. I also like the AA1680 powder.

If you haven't already done so, I suggest you take a look here:
357 MAX PAGE - David's Forum

 

[biggjimm]

jsn_mooney, actually, if you compare an xtp & ssp side by side, you'll see that the bearing surface of the xtp will hit the rifling much sooner than the ssp bullet. The xtp has much more bearing surface.

For one thing I can not find any 180 ssp but have a large supply of xtp on hand.

Parson, I'm very familiar with David's site & exceptional work he does but haven't found what I'm looking for there either. And what I'm looking for is a powder to use in this max case that doesn't have to be crimped hard like the H-110 & W296 that I've been loading with.

I don't know enough about burn rates yet & all that to just be able to look at the chart & pick a powder that will suit my needs as far as not needing a hard crimp to get it lit good.

So hopefully someone has some ideas before I send this barrel to David to be re-chambered to something else. Thanks for your replies & God bless. Jim.

 

[parson]

If you can find some of the AA 1680, give it a try. I load beyond the cannelure and don't crimp. It has shot well for me. Accurate Arms site has a special section for 357 maximum with 1680 in T/C arms.

 

[biggjimm]

Thank you parson, that is exactly the kind of information I'm looking for. And, 1680 is on my list to try as soon as I can locate some. I'll definitely check out that Accurate Arms site.
I've read about 1680 being one of the best performing powders in the max for a lot of guys. My other barrel will shoot 3/4" groups @ 100 yds all day long with 20.0 gr of H-110 under a firm crimped 180 XTP & Rem 7 1/2 primers but this other barrel is apparently a little finicky. But, that's one of the aspects I enjoy about reloading. Finding that perfect combination of a handful of variables & putting them all together to come out in the end with -1" groups to show for all your effort. Thank you so much.

 

[djones]

Have you tried different weight of bullets?

the Noe 360-180 wfn shoots good in everything 35 cal I own.

there are other clones of the 180 out there for sale commercially.

 

[parson]

Have you tried different weight of bullets?

the Noe 360-180 wfn shoots good in everything 35 cal I own.

there are other clones of the 180 out there for sale commercially.

I have that NOE mold in the gas check version. I bought it for 35 Rem, but it will shoot well in the maxi also.

 

[Contender]

I used to use imr4227 with a magnum primer and a not to heavy a crimp back when I had one with good accuracy.

Might be more than just the load. I just went though a similar thing with 41m carbine custom shop barrel. I finally put o-rings between the forearm and barrel on the screw. That got it much better and then I changed powders to get it good. It almost beat me but I won. It was my wife's encore and she shot a deer with it last weekend. I was as happy as her after fighting that gun.

The 357max is usually a pretty easy caliber to work with.

 

[kolob10]

I like W296 or Lil'gun in my max's. Hornady 180gr SSP or 180g XTP shoot well.

 

[Hookeye]

My buddy had poor groups with his .357 max initially using 180's.
Some guy did a Ruger #1 CHP into Maxiumum, had a write up on the web (just looked, can't find it).
My bud got ahold of that guy and he said his load wasn't hot enough.
Buddy bumped it up and groups shrank to very good.