velocity vs bullet weight

Northern Canuck · Posted: Thu Nov 02, 2006 8:52 pm Post subject: Re: velocity vs bullet weight

I wish that one of the levers could be rechambered for the 357 maximum. I have loads of brass from years gone by when I shot silhouettes with my contender. I think it would make a good little rifle.

george20042007 · Posted: Fri Nov 03, 2006 12:20 am Post subject: Re: velocity vs bullet weight

Well Northern Canuck, sounds like a custom rifle job in the future, what do you think? Rolling Eyes

Keep it coming...

SwampFox · Posted: Fri Nov 03, 2006 6:23 am Post subject: Re: velocity vs bullet weight

My Avitar is a 357 SM rifle. In my gallery you can see an enlarged photo of it and also the second 357 SM that I built. Very Happy

The 16 inch barrel pushes the 180 Hornady to 2,200 plus fps and shoots .50 inch groups.

I have thought about a 30-30 Marlin conversion, but have not devoted the time or mental process to the conversion just yet. The 357 SM is a great carbine round.
Ed

squirrelbait · Posted: Fri Nov 03, 2006 7:21 am Post subject: Re: velocity vs bullet weight

Swampfox, thanks much for the details. I got to tell you I have never tried compressing a load that much. Sounds like it has been VERY successful though. So, are you saying with the shorter cases you can seat the 200gn so it will cycle thru the Marlin or just that you can load single rounds thru??
Will 296 perform as well? or even Lil-gun?? I've tried several cast bullets...primarily to cut the cost if possible, but could not get any accuracy. I think you have given me some stuff to look at and play with.
thanks

SwampFox · Posted: Fri Nov 03, 2006 12:51 pm Post subject: Re: velocity vs bullet weight

I have used 296 and H-110 for 20+ years. I happen to think that H-110 and 296 are the same powder. H-110 is cheaper so I use it. Hogdon has a few powders that ring up eacatly like other powders. After 40 years in reloading and talking to hundreds of advanced reloaders at matches you tend to draw conclusions, regardless of what powder companies say. I am not the only reloader that thinks 296 and H-110 are at the very least identical twin brothers. I have never tried Lil-Gun, it might work just fine.

The loaded round, if done as I have noted, will work through the action. The secret is OAL and using a revolver cylinder as your gage to establish the OAL. Forget the book OAL, load to the cylinder, if the loaded round fits the cylinder it will function through the Marlin action. A S & W cylinder is perfect as it is short, just like the Ruger cylinder.

I have used the RCBS cast bullet with the load for over 20 years. The 200 grain RCBS is just a great cast bullet for heavy 357 loads. I have not shot any game with it but, I lucked up and won the cast bullet AAA revolver championship at the IHMSA cast bullet internationals with the load in an 8 inch Python.

The load is compressed into a solid mass. You can compress BP to detonation, but have never heard or had it reported that smokeless can be compressed, using brass, to detonation.

Put together a dummy round, without primer or powder and try it. If it is a little to long you might have to giggle the loaded round out of the ejection port.
Ed