From all the reports I've seen, Lil gun is the magnum pistol powder, but I've yet to try it. I've been meaning to pick up a pound to try in my 480, and figure it should offer similar benefits in the 357 max.

I'm primarily interested in data for a 180-200 gr cast bullet. I'm thinking that a 10" tube ought to be capable of near 2000 fps.

I already loaded up some 200 gr WFN's w/ H110, in expectation of getting my new tube.

One last question, is there a favorite or best primer for the max? I used CCI std small rifle caps.

Paul,

With regard to primers in the Max, I'm using standard force Federal Small Rifle and they seem to do very well with the ball powders IE 680 and 296/H110. My extreme spreads run in the 10's with a good firm crimp on the bullet either cast or jacketed.

Being that I have the good throat in it now, I may try seating out to the rifling instead of crimping to just see what happens.

I've never used lil'gun but from the load tables it appears to be suitable for the lighter to mid weight bullets where H110/296 looks to be more suitable for the heavier weights in say something like the 44 mag as an example. It's burning/pressure curve seems to peak out faster once you get into the heavies.

An interesting powder for the Max would be the Accurate XMP5744 which is now listed for it. Runs abit slower in velocity than 1680.

I have so much Surplus powder WC680 and WC820, I really haven't tried anything else in it yet aside from 296 with 158's.

Sorry to ramble.

Regards

[ 08-30-2002, 18:12: Message edited by: Headstamp ]

I'm using Fed 205 and Lil'Gun in my Maximum with 180gr Hornady Silhouetter bullets. It does great but I can not remember the FPS I am getting off the top of my head.

BTW....XMP5744 sucks! I fought all kinds of ways with it and could never get any groups or velocity and always had unburned powder on the barrel.

[ 08-30-2002, 04:39: Message edited by: DanB ]

Thanks Dan for the insight on 5744. I won't waste time with it. I had tried AA2200 and it did the same as 5744 from your description. Sounds like it is just too slow also.

Did you have full load density with 5744? I could not get enough 2200 in the case to be worthwhile.

R7 worked well for the gent in that 1994 Handloader article.

Regards