Recipe for 180gr lead bullet/.357 mag

[abcollector]

I need a starting load for a 180 gr Cast Performance lead bullet for the .357 magnum, but I would like to use Hodgdon H110. I have Wolf SPM primers. These will be fired out of a S&W 686 and a Browning 92. Not looking for "The Hammer of Thor" but maybe "Thor Jr".

I see enough data using jacketed but no lead.

Thanks!

[shooter]

Someone more experienced can correct me if I'm wrong, but I think you can take the jacketed data and back it off 10% as a starting point for cast bullets. That seems kinda backwards to me, though, as the jacketed bullets have more friction than lead. Seems like it should be the other way around, but that's what I've always heard. I like to find a proven load for cast just to be on the safe side.

[AJMD429]

I don't have a printed reloading guide load for that, and I personally NEVER use an internet-found load until I've at least 'bracketed' it with very similar loads from published manuals, but having said that...

I'm sure some others will post 'published' data soon...

[BigSky56]

AB, I havent tried 110 wth the CP 180 but have used lil'gun for my SD bear loads heres a link that has some loads for 180's. Ive also read somewhere that you can take a jacketed load and reduce by 2 grains for a lead bullet then start working back up. danny
http://www.reloadammo.com/357loads.htm

[TedH]

There are several of us that shoot a 180 cast bullet in 357. Most, if not all will agree that LilGun is THE powder for heavy bullets in the 357 Magnum. I shoot 15 gr. in my revolver loads, and 16 gr. in the Rossi 92. They are very stout loads, but still very accurate.

[abcollector]

Thanks for all the replies guys. I think for now I will hold off on using H110 and get some Lil-gun as it seams more popular. I don't have enough experience with H110/296 to create a safe starting load with a heavy lead bullet. If more published data was available then it would be different, especially with H110/296 having such a narrow "safe" working window.

[L_Kilkenny]

I've had good luck with BlueDot and 180 jacketed XTP's. IIRC, I load about 1/2 gr below max (Lee 2nd Addition?) and should be getting about 1200fps. It's stout in my 4" Security Six but not even close to objectionable. As to what's gonna happen if you switch over to a cast bullet I'll leave that up to more experienced loaders.

LK

[BrianSH]

Go to the source.

Have a look on the Hodgdon's site. if nothing's there for 180 gr, send a e mail asking about H110, Lil Gun, and any other suitable powders. Tell them what you are trying to accomplish.

In a few hours, someone will e mail you back - I have have received good service from Hodgdon's on other calibres, and so have many other people.

-Brian

[m.wun]

I was told Lilgun will do 100fps over H110 at 5000 psi less press.

[awp101]

I'm just curious, what will the 180g do that the 158g won't? I don't think I've ever fooled with anything heavier than 158g.

[BigSky56]

Its heavy for caliber and works fine for penetration on tough things you have to shoot, a 180 or 200 WFN HCGC is what I load for a bear defense load and it kills lions and bears right now. danny

[AJMD429]

I'm just curious, what will the 180g do that the 158g won't? I don't think I've ever fooled with anything heavier than 158g.

For a given lethality, it might be substantially quieter, likely being subsonic. . .

[bmtshooter]

I'm just curious, what will the 180g do that the 158g won't? I don't think I've ever fooled with anything heavier than 158g.

The 180 grain shoots well out of my micro-groove marlin barrel. Both lead & jacketed bullets do well. Lighter bullets are not nearly as accurate.

[gundownunder]

what will the 180g do that the 158g won't?

They do seem to be more accurate in cast bullets. Even mine, which hates cast bullets, can put them all into 2" at 50yds with about 8.3gr of blue dot, I haven't tried a HV load for it yet.
The 180gr is 14% heavier than the 158gr so it carries more momentum to the target which should give deeper penetration on game, or more smack down on steel silhouettes.

[abcollector]

Thanks again guys. Brian, I just sent off an email to Hodgdon. Why didn't I think of that? Thanks for the idea!

As far as the "180g do that the 158g won't?" goes, there are just some calibers that I prefer a "heavy for caliber" bullet. Most of the replies have given good reasons for it but for me it really comes down to if the firearm will shoot them accurately and most do. They retain velocity, energy and handle any wind better all else being equal. They do drop though. But that's my story and I'm sticking to it.

[awp101]

And thanks for the 158g vs 180g answers!

I tend to favor heavier bullets but I guess I've never seen or paid any attention to the 180g if there's a factory load. If not, it looks like I've got something to add to the reloading list!

[Tycer]

I played with H110 awhile back in the .357 rifle with 180's. Mine settled in around 13 grains and again around 16 grains. HEAVY crimps made all the difference.

NOTE that 16 is OVER MAXIMUM RECOMMENDED CHARGE WEIGHT and is NOT recommended.

That being said, I had better luck with Lil'Gun.

[El Chivo]

I know you want to use your powder, but I have been using IMR4227 with best results. 13.0 gr is the max in the Lasercast manual, and that's what I use. It's accurate for silhouette. It fills all the space in the case as far as I can tell.

With lead bullets I'm trying to keep velocity down to avoid leading, so the 180's give a little more power for the silhouette targets.

For reduced loads I use SR 4759 (9.5 gr). Accuracy is good and I don't get unburnt kernels as I did with rifle cartridges. The SR4759 fills the case and will be very obvious if you load a double charge.

[BigSky56]

AWP101 heres a couple of links for commercial 180 loaded ammo. danny
http://www.doubletapammo.com/php/catalo ... Path=21_27
http://www.buffalobore.com/index.php?l= ... _list&c=20