I have a 12" Contender in 357 maximum. I am going to reload some once fired brass. I was thinking of just resizing the first 3/8 of an inch, instead of the hole case. Also when using Hornady's 180 GR. SSP bullet should they be crimped?
How would you do this?

Welcome to the Maxi bunch, I fully resize all my brass but my chamber is on a custom barrel and is cut on the tighter side. I crimp all my 357 Maxi loads as it seems to give a smaller spread in velocity. I think it boils down to what works for your particular barrel. Give it a try both ways, that is part of what I like about reloading.

Steve E.......

I would seat them out until they kiss the rifling, if that is even possible, and it may not be in a typical TC throat.

Sometimes you can get away with partial sizing the case and sometimes not. For a while, I tried partial sizing 357 reloads for a Marlin but after several reloads the occasional cartridge would not chamber, so I am going back to full length sizing.

Here are a couple of thougths on the 357 max from when I worked with one. I would fl size the brass, though if you have a sloppy ie factory chamber, a partial size may help, but I'd look at that as a last resort vs first resort.

I would try AA 1680, it works very well in the max, but needs to be a compressed load before it starts burning consistantly. I'd expect a top load to be in the 2000 fps range.

As far as crimping, it isn't needed per se in a single shot, but the ball powders tend to like a bit of resistance to get them burning well, so I prefer a crimp to aid in that endevor.

It's a great round, and I still regret having sold my barrel.

oldsnow
The powder that seems to work the best for a lot of people is Hodgon Lil'Gun. Of the 3 people that I shoot with sometimes they all have developed their best loads with Lil'Gun in the Maxi. Winchester 296 also works well. Can't find my reloading notebook but if I remember correctly Lil'Gun turns out some pretty impressive velocity. But try all the powders you can get your hands on to see which one works best for your gun.

Steve E............

Steve E.....

I load for 3 different barrels in 357Max. A 14" and 2 10" barrels. They all love H110 using the maximum load listed in the reloading books. I load all 3 with 180gr XTP's, All 3 shoot a ragged hole at 50yds and this is also a great deer round to boot.

Here is a great article on the Maxi by my favorite gun writer, Glen E. Fryxell.

The 357 Maximum

Rick

Thanks for all the info on the 357 Max. I have been trying different things. Here in Delaware from 1/7 to 1/14 2006 we get our first ever white tail deer season. I plan to hunt with the 357 Max, all that week. I have decided to go with the Contender, using A A 1680 and Hornady's 180 SSP bullet.
Rick that was a good article on the Max.
Thanks Oldsnow.

for all of those out there that use this cartridge, how does the 357 MAG shoot in the MAX chamber? I would like to have one but will use the mag. more that the MAX. I don't want to ruin the chamber for the max.

Here's an article that could answer your question.

The 357 Maximum

Rick

I have a TC 14" barrel in 357 Max. It's an awesome catridge. I have had good luck with H110 and 180 gr. Hornady XTP's. Lots of fun. I have 2 now one in a Ruger Blackhawk which I haven't shot yet.

I like aa1680 powder.Its burned alot better in my pistol than win 296 powder did.It was also alot faster in my pistol.That powder is awesome for magnum loads in straight cases.I used Hornady xtp bullets 180 gr.You can look up loads in the accurate arms site I think.