I am setting up to load for a Ruger Blackhawk in 357 Max. This revolver has been used very little and is in great shape i.e. No flame cutting.

I was given 5 rounds of factory Rem ammo and took one apart to see what it's made of. Here's what I found.

Bullet: Weight 157.4 grains
Powder: Very fine Ball type 24 grains

I'll shoot up some 158 grainers for practice but plan on using 180 or 200 grain hard cast for hunting.

Any ideas on the type ball powder used by Rem?

What have you guys used with success?

I plan to go with moderate velocities so this powder may not even be on the table.

What have you guys seen success with when using hardcast in this revolver?

Much thanks,
lc

Don't know how many Max shooters there are out there. I only shoot a T/C myself. I use to shoot hard cast lead, but accuracy wasn't that good. I switched to jacketed and accuracy improved. I'm not really pushing the limit. Only about 1800fps with a 158gr myself. I use H110. I've never seen "factory" ammo, so I have no idea what to tell you.

Except, congratulations on the Blackhawk.

Factory ammo would be loaded w/ a proprietary powder. You can load something very close w/ 24-25gr of H110 or W296. Use a magnum primer & work upto that charge wt. from no less than 22gr. These slow powders do NOT like to be downloaded.

I use H110 in my contender and get 2250 out of a 158 rem sp. My daugher has killed about 20 deer with it others another 5 or so. Hit them right and they die well. I wouldn't use it on very hard angle shots.

I welded a 2.5 inch extention on the barrel and use it as a carbine. A great little carbine to start kids off with not much kick and kills well. My great nephew killed his first buck with it this year another kid with a good start to hunting.

i had one when they first came out,it only took 800 rounds to wear out the forceing cone.
i would use H 4227 and heavy bullets like 180 and 200 gr.

My restrained accurate load for Dan Wesson 40-V8S Super Mag and T/C G2 .357 Rem Max 14" bull barrel is VihtaVuori N-110 17gr. C.O.L. 2". Bullets are Hornady HP XTP 180gr and www.archipelago.fi copper pladed resitzed 180gr. Primers CCI or Winc small rifle.

IIRC the 357 Maximum was the darling of metallic silhouette shooters for a short while, and it earned a bad reputation for flame cutting of top straps and forcing cones on revolvers.

You have right mr buckshot. But people was makin "Swift" loads with 125gr bullets. It means too much faster burning powder. My T/C G2 likes those loads of course because break action. I use also sub sonic loads with silencer and VihtaVuori N-32C "Tin Star"-powder.

Thanks for all the great info fella's!

I was using H110 for the 357 Mag that I traded to the blackhawk. Flame cutting was not an issue on this one.

Looks like I'll stick with the H110 and work on moderate velocity hardcast Lead.

If you guys come up with any more thoughts please share them. Dies and brass are on the way and I'm itching to look at accuracy.

lc

I am now working on a load for my Dan Wesson 40-V8S Super Mag. It is currently at 19.5 gr of H110 with a Hornady HP/XTP 180gr as deer season was here. Will get back to it in spring.

I also have 2 Rugers as NIB, one 7 1/2" and one 10" barrel. I plan to get a TC Encore next year and retire the DW.

Rad

I used H110 in my 357 Maxi and 357x44 B&D until I tried Hodgon Lil'Gun. If I run out of Lil'Gun I use H110 until I get some more. Both powders seem to be 'tailor made for the Maxi' with the Lil'Gun giving equal or better velocity than H110 but with less pressure, according to most data.

Steve E........

I have had good luck with the Lyman 358429 bullet cast out of wheelweights.
I don't have a revolver, this is being shot out of a T/C.
It seems to like IMR 4227 and H110 powder.

You probably are aware of this, but just in case you don't, I thought I would mention it.
The .357 Max uses small RIFLE primers, not pistol primers.
Using pistol primers is an easy mistake to make.
I just wanted to make sure you knew that.