357 handi - bullet weight preferences

[siamese4570]

I've playing with my 357 handi.  Using 360 DW brass and cast bullets.  Haven't found a good load for my 180 gr gc cast flatpoint, but the rifle seems to show a preference for 158 gr gc swc bullets.  Anybody else noticed this?  I'm wondering if the rifling twist is adequate to stabilize the long heavy bullets.

Siamese 4570

[Badnews Bob]

Twist should be fine, all three of my .357s shoot 180 hardcast very well the max really likes them.  That being said I mostly shoot 125 to 158 grainers out of my other .357s, mostly because I load them light for plinking.

What powder are you useing?

[quickdtoo]

I'm wondering if the rifling twist is adequate to stabilize the long heavy bullets.

Maybe not at 360 DW velocities, I don't know, but I've shot 240gr cast bullets in my 35 Remington(357Mag>Max rechambered), they shoot fine at 100yds, haven't shot beyond that.

Tim

[yukondog]

I shoot 200gr. speer tmj and 200gr. LFN/GC out of mine and get under 2" @ 100 yrd. at 1600 fps,and 180xtp about the same with 1800 fps.

[siamese4570]

Yukon:  What kind of powder are you using?  I've tried Lil Gun and IMR4227.  Played around with 296 and H110, but that was in the 357 brass not the 360DW.

Siamese 4570

[WILD_WEASEL]

With factory ammo I’ve have my best performance with Federal/Eagle 158gr JSPs.  However,  I get the occasional pierced primer with this brand of ammo, in two different revolvers as well as my Handi.  For the past few months I’ve had a chance to experiment with heavier/longer 357 magnum loads originally intended for the Contender.  In Speer Reloading Manual #9 there are both rifle and pistol loads for the Speer 180gr (.358) JFP intended for the 35 Remington and in the Lyman Manual #47 and their Pistol Manual there are loads for a cast 200gr  RN (available from Western Bullet).  With the longer barrel of the Handi Hogdon’s H110 gives the best performance to date.  At the range the Speer 180 JFPs easily group into 2” at 50 yards, while the cast Lyman 200gr loads open up to 3” to 4”, have only been to range once with the cast loads so more load development is required.  Closer in Remington 125gr JHPs shoot well too but have not tried them at 50 yard only 20yards.

[PHATINJUN]

I've had good shooting with 200gr Cast Preformance bullets H110 and 360DW brass in my H&R. Kurt