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Author Topic: 357 MAX WITH RELOADER 7  (Read 1204 times)

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Offline OldBob

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357 MAX WITH RELOADER 7
« on: April 26, 2009, 06:55:55 AM »
  Like the title says, I tried some Reloader 7 in my Max this weekend and I think it likes it ! This is the Ranch Dog 190 grain boolit, cast from wheelweighjts, Alox lube and 25.5 grains Reloader 7. Its a case nearly full of powder so I set the OAL at 2.114 ( long throated bugger ! )  The side to side error is me and an overly heavy trigger. 

   OK, can't seem to get the photo to upload....... gonna try something else.

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Offline LaOtto222

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Re: 357 MAX WITH RELOADER 7
« Reply #1 on: April 26, 2009, 11:48:05 AM »
Not sure what your grid measures, but if it is 1/2" x 1" not a bad grouping if the horizontal string was caused by you - some where around 2" X .9" I was shooting in some fairly stiff wind yesterday that could cause that kind of horizontal stringing. Good Shooting ;)
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Offline cwlongshot

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Re: 357 MAX WITH RELOADER 7
« Reply #2 on: April 26, 2009, 01:01:29 PM »
Mine shot it pretty well too. My problem was I couldn't get enough in the case to reach velocities I was looking for. Plus I dont like compressed loads in straight walled cases.

I have been using AA1680 with excellent results. Its burning rate must be fairly close to RL7 as similar charges work in both, but the less bulky AA1680 doesn't need be compressed with top loads.

CW
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Offline OldBob

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Re: 357 MAX WITH RELOADER 7
« Reply #3 on: April 26, 2009, 11:23:55 PM »
  LaOtto, yep, that is the grid size and we did have wind, but I still think it was me. I also shot my 30-30 and an old Savage 99 in 303..... the 303 grouped better than this. I have loaded up another batch, hopefully I'll try them the next nice day we get.

   cwlongshot, I'm not real happy about compressed loads either, this is not compressed a lot and like you say, it isn't as fast as other loadings. I did try heavier loads w/ more compression but they didn't shoot as well. I guess I'd go back to 4227 or H110 for hunting loads, but this punches paper ok and the powder was just sitting there begging to get used...........
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Democracy is two wolves and a lamb voting on what to have for lunch. Liberty is a well-armed lamb contesting the vote." Benjamin Franklin, 1759

Offline Ruskin

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Re: 357 MAX WITH RELOADER 7
« Reply #4 on: April 27, 2009, 03:20:29 AM »
I was not getting any kind of a group with H110.  I started over loading in .5 increments. I was stringing below 20.0 grains.  At 20.00 I got an inch group, and at 20.5 same group.  At 21.00 it started stringing again.  I was shooting a 180gr 35 Remington bullet.

I am starting to experiment with 158 grain bullet using same .5 increments.

I also will order a taper crimp to see if that helps. 
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Offline OldBob

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Re: 357 MAX WITH RELOADER 7
« Reply #5 on: April 27, 2009, 11:48:31 AM »
  Thanks for the info Ruskin, I have some 180's that I've been gonna load but haven't gotten there yet........ kinda fascinated with these 190 gr. Ranch Dogs. I can cast an awful lot of them for what the jacketed ones cost me !!! I've used up to 22 grs of H110 with the 190 gr cast ( loaded way long, that long throat again, but it gives more case area, if you try this, work up to it with the bullet seated normally !!) and they worked quite well, about 1 1/2 moa if I did my part. I think that can be refined and improved, but its a job for another day.......... so many loads, so little time  ;D ;D
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Democracy is two wolves and a lamb voting on what to have for lunch. Liberty is a well-armed lamb contesting the vote." Benjamin Franklin, 1759

Offline Jimbo47

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Re: 357 MAX WITH RELOADER 7
« Reply #6 on: April 27, 2009, 02:22:02 PM »
OldBob, did you once say you had a 45-70?

that Reloader 7 won't go to waste if you have one, and I know you like those cast bullets, so that would be a perfect match for chunking big pieces of lead downrange.

I added the 45-70 since I got the .357 max, and I love to shoot them both!

I use IMR4227 for the max, and RL7 for the 45-70.
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My culled down Handi's are the 45-70, and then I have a few others to keep it company...357 Mag/Max. .45 LC/.454 Casull Carbine, .243 Ultra, and 20 gauge Tracker II.

Offline OldBob

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Re: 357 MAX WITH RELOADER 7
« Reply #7 on: April 28, 2009, 01:12:52 PM »
  Yep, I have 45-70's...... 4 of them at the moment.... I sorta like 'em ! Maybe thats an addiction instead of just a "like 'em"  ;D ;D  Don't think I have used Rel-7 in them though, I'd have to look at my notebook. I like SR4759, IMR 3031, and Unique for light loads, then there is the Holy Black.............
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Democracy is two wolves and a lamb voting on what to have for lunch. Liberty is a well-armed lamb contesting the vote." Benjamin Franklin, 1759

Offline cwlongshot

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Re: 357 MAX WITH RELOADER 7
« Reply #8 on: April 28, 2009, 02:49:37 PM »
Quote from: OldBob on April 28, 2009, 01:12:52 PM
  Yep, I have 45-70's...... 4 of them at the moment.... I sorta like 'em ! Maybe that's an addiction instead of just a "like 'em"  ;D ;D  Don't think I have used Rel-7 in them though, I'd have to look at my notebook. I like SR4759, IMR 3031, and Unique for light loads, then there is the Holy Black.............

 I also used allot of RL7 in my 45-70s!!  Nice powder for stiffer loads to be sure!!  I now use IMR4198 for my 45-70s and RL7 for my 375Win and as I said, AA1680 for my maxi. I had all these powders and utilizing what I already had saves coin!!!

CW
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"Pay heed to the man who carries a single shot rifle, he likely knows how to use it."

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Offline bajabill

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Re: 357 MAX WITH RELOADER 7
« Reply #9 on: April 29, 2009, 04:30:58 AM »
I tried RL7 in my 357max and was not happy with the velocities I got from it (barely better than the muzzle energy from a factory 357mag).  I moved on to H110 and am happy with velocities and accuracy.

I only use RL7 in my 45-70, accuracy is fine and I do not push it as fast as I can.  I think I settled in on almost 2100 fps with a 300gr and could easily push that a couple hundred faster if I wanted the equal and opposite  :-[
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