.357 rifle loads
 

Some time ago I acquired a Stainless Ruger 77/357. I’m interesting in working up a load to hunt deer with this fall. I’m also interested in casting a bullet for this that might be used for hunting.

Would greatly appreciate any suggestions regarding powder, bullets, moulds, etc.

Many thanks……….

Gonna be hard to screw up with a 158 grain lswc and 2400. You hunting whitetail... big western mulies???

I think water-dropped or heat treated (clip on) wheel weights will work just right. Plenty hard (water dropped, they'll come in around 18 brinell), but not as brittle as linotype, monotype, et cetera. You'll want that bullet to hold together.

Most likely whitetail. Maybe a few coyotes too.

I have some Missouri 158 gr lswc, about 500 I think.

What differences could I expect to see between those a gas checked bullet?

Those bullets are 18 brinell if they're the same as on the website. I don't think it would be a waste of time trying those out. I don't use gas checks on anything. 18 brinell is the same hardness as linotype.

I will admit I don't load .357 mag rifle (I do for pistol), but the water dropped wheel weights work great in my .44 mag lever gun.

I know you have a bolt action... I don't foresee any issues with feeding, but the lswc does hang up on rare occasion trying to feed in my lever gun. Nothing catastrophic, just have to jiggle a little to get the shoulder up the ramp.

I'd be shocked if they didn't work well, but if the 158's don't get it done, I'd look at a 180 grain rnfp for better penetration and feeding.

Great article by Skeeter Skelton:

http://www.handloads.com/articles/default.asp?id=30



Another great resource of information:

http://www.lasc.us/CastBulletNotes.htm

If 2400 doesn't do the trick I would suggest trying H-110. SJ 40

Those are good powders, but a newer arrival nets me the highest velocities and damn good accuracy.. LIL GUN :whistling:

My own top load form a 18.5'' barrel and a 158 XTP FP is 1900+ fps Chronographed :upeyes::supergrin: Lays ém low I'll tell you.

CW

I keep hearing good things about Lil Gun. Just haven't seen the need to go away from the old standby yet (Where'd I put that 8lb jug of 2400? :supergrin:).

H-110 / 296 is definitely a classic with magnum loads. It gets slightly better speeds on the top end vs. 2400, but it's got a really narrow operating window. Most start load data is only a grain away from max data. Having been through load development with a few picky rifles, I'll give up 50 fps on the top end to have a wider range to work with.

Thanks, those are both powders I have on hand that I planned on trying.

My older Speer Volume 13 states "do not use Magnum primers with 2400 or Viht. N110 loads shown here or high pressures will result." Glad I saw that.

Empty shelves at the usual suppliers has renewed my interest in bolt action rifles and wheel guns. I may even put together some hunting loads for the ol' '03 Springfield. I think the young folk call that "kickin' it old school", or "goin' retro".

I've heard about 2400 and magnum primers. I have one load with a 158 grain XTP I worked up before I started casting. I followed the recipe in Lyman 49 (including a magnum primer) and got almost the exact same results (also shooting a 4" barrel). Twice around the wheel and my extreme spread was 38 feet per second (13 standard deviation). Seemed pretty darned consistent to me. Cases fell right out.



:dunno:

Interesting.

Is there a general rule as to which powders require a magnum primer, and which do not? Is there an imaginary line somewhere on the burn rate chart that when crossed might require a magnum primer?

Not clearly defined by any stretch. In low end loads, it probably won't make a bit of difference. If I'm using a slow burning powder and there's a big powder column (like .300 win mag), it's a pretty good idea, particularly if it's going to be used in cold weather / hunting season.

I think with 2400 being a true double base ball powder, it doesn't have any issues getting complete combustion with standard primers. Some report it gets hinky with mag primers... just hasn't been my experience with the few times I've used that combo.

Some pistol powders like H110, 296, 4227 you just won't find any data that doesn't use mag primers.

I have the same rifle as the OP with a Redfield 2X7 and dig it. A friend used it last season to bag a Mule Deer out in the open desert country just a bit south. He used a Hornady 180g XTP HP over W296 at 120 yards, DRT.


Alliant for Blue Dot recommends a non-magnum primer when loading for .357mag but the Lyman manual says they used a magnum primer for their test loads.

I did notice unburnt powder using the SP primers as recommend with both my rifle and revolver but I have not loaded any with the magnum primers to test as yet.

I was shooting Mighty 9mm the other day. Steve came over with his 357mag and left a bunch of Unburnt 2400 powder on the bench. I started choking and threw up in the range bag of the guy next to us. Wheelguns are disgusting things.

They were plinkers going 1,125... hence the unburnt powder.

:tongueout:

Thanks for the info, I've been mulling over what glass to put on it. I was also considering an nice sturdy peep sight.

I'm anxious to see how accurate it can be and at what distance it can be effective for deer. This is uncharted territory for me.

2X7 Accurange
http://www.redfield.com/riflescopes/