180 gr bullets in a .357 carbine

[Scott Tschirhart]

Thinking about the Buffalo Bore post, I thought I would load up some 180s at a more moderate level. I used to shoot a stout load of Lil Gun in a .357 Marlin that Mic modified to feed the 180 grain Hornady XTP crimped in the bottom crimp groove. But I always thought that I was pushing that gun a little hard. That load was so hot that I will not post it publicly.

[Scott Tschirhart]

Since I shoot .357 in a variety of revolvers I tried a load of 12gr of 2400. Should be around 1100 in a revolver and 1400 in the carbine. So I gathered up some test guns

[Scott Tschirhart]

Empty cases fell out of the chambers on three revolvers (I also tried it in my snubby). Primer looks like I shot a .38 special load and it hits the steel plates on my pistol range with authority. Accuracy was quite good and plenty good enough.

I’m sure I can load this a lot hotter but I don’t know that I would gain much for what I do on the ranch. Not nearly as powerful as a .30-30, but the muzzle blast is significantly less. I anticipate that this will be a very useful load.

[octagon]

Nice!
Scott I have a Smith like yours, but mine has circular serrations on side of the hammer, a pre 27 model i think, with a very light trgher pull.

[Scott Tschirhart]

I love these old N frame Smiths. They made them right in those days. This one is a pre-27 model.

I would really love to find a good fixed sight .38-44.

[Rockrat]

I load the 180gr Rem. bullet designed for the 357max., for my carbine. I use MP-300 powder, under a max. charge and still get 1700fps. If I ever get to shoot a deer with it, it should be a Thumper.

[piller]

I just do not need the super stout loads in any of my guns. Good heavy .357 loads that still do not shake the gun apart will do all I need. If a .357 won't do it, I move up to a bigger caliber. Besides, it could be just my experience but more than exactly middle and less than max loads have always given good to great accuracy. Max loads often start showing larger groups for me.

[Scott Tschirhart]

Most of my shooting is rough shooting from woodpeckers to armadillos. Accuracy is more important than raw power.

[wvfarrier]

Lately I have been using CFE Pistol for most of my 357 needs. Its a very accurate powder in just about every loading I have tried and recoil pulse feels a lot like Unique but cleaner. Its a great powder for light to mid range loadings.

[octagon]

I despise armadillos and shoot on sight. Almost stuck a F250 4×4 in a dillo hole in the high grass once...if they were the size of a hog they could do 10 times the damage. They are not bad to eat however if the need arises.

[piller]

We live in town and had an armadillo dig up a rosebush one night. It did as much digging as I could do if I used a shovel.