Two more tests for my NEF .357 maximum.
First load with the 180gr XTP's
Second load with 150 gr RCBS cast



It was very windy here in VA. I hope to test them both again. The Xtp looks like hunting potential for sure.
RV

That's very interesting. A lot of people love the 180 gr. XTP in the .357 Max. However, I didn't see any velocity data. Did you chrono the loads?

IME, best velocities (which aren't everything) aren't achieved with H4227. I get better velocities with H110/W296 and the manuals show great performance from W680 and AA1680. Lil'Gun has the promise of equaling those 2 powders with the heavier bullets and is more available over here on my side of the mountain.

That's pretty good accuracy. Cutting cloverleafs is always fun.

I would say they both look like they have hunting potential!!

You should try AA1680 powder with 180 gr xpt.I have gotten up to 2000 fps with longer barrels in friends guns.It was about 1950 out of 16" contender a friend had.I get around 1750 of of my Dan Wesson super mag with 8" barrel.There are two canilures on the bullet you can seat it further out in contenders and most rifles adding more powder space.It was better powder than w296 cleaner burning.I called accurate reloading and found a good load.You will have to use small rifle primers to use as much powder as I am talking about.I used up to 20 grs in the revolvers and up to 25 in contenders ,start at 20 and go up.

Good on you. I didn't notice that he use small pistol primers. Due to pressures, small RIFLE primers are standard in this cartridge.

Dan Wesson has put out data that shows Lil'Gun running neck and neck with or bettering AA1680. As this cartridge is supposed to operate at the 50,000 CUP range the moderate pressures with Lil'Gun are a bonus. Remember, small RIFLE primers.

Hob - I'm still a month away from getting my carbine length .357 max barrel but I have already been gathering up data and components. I want to start off with 180 Horn. SSP and I also have some Sierra 200 gr. RN. I think I will buy up some AA1680 cause I already know it works well in my .221.....I love when I can get great results using a fewer number of powders.

I can see something like 1600 fps for the 158 gr. XTP hollowpoint but the 180 gr. XTP (if I remember correctly) is supposedly good for 1800 fps and the SSP for 2000 fps. Of course there is some leeway, variation between bullets and terminal media (i.e. what you shoot it into), etc.

With the .357 Max some people are very satisfied with the old Remington factory load with the 158 gr. SJHP on deer and some were not (very much not!). I think those differences of opinion are influenced by the size of deer shot and the ranges at which those deer were shot. Out of my rifle those bullets get over 2175 fps in that load. I can see how they might be a bit to quick opening up close on heavier bodied deer.

I just discovered that there is a velocity performance chart which is in an Adobe file. However, it doesn't show the 180 gr. XTP! The SSP bullets are listed under the rifle bullets NOT under the pistol bullets.

Note for those interested: That is the only SSP left in the line is the .358". The .308 and the .284 (we knew that the 7mm had been replaced by the VMAX) are gone. There is NO apparentl replacement for the .30 cal SSP.

SR primers are a hair taller and a lot tougher than SP. You can get away with SP in moderate pressure loads, but you are better off with SR. That velocity limit on 180 XTP seems to just mean that they are gonna be seriously destructive if you shoot a deer with them at higher than that. You can sure shoot them much faster with excellent accuracy.

I stand corrected, dejected, and adjafleckted( in the words of my good friend Jessie Jerkson)
I gave incorrect info on the XTP .
This should clear up my blunder!


Sorry for the misstatementafalsafication of my datanontruthfullof-fiction!
RV

I was wondering about 150 gr Remington corelocks out of 357 max .The seen like good deer bullet also never used them.I have had good results with 180 gr xtp up to 1950 in friend 357 max.I shot them 2200 of muzzle loader it wacked a good good.

You guys are playing with a 48,000 CUP rated cartridge.
This is high performance stuff. Rifle primers are a must if you want to keep seeing the targets. AAC rec'd the BR4 primer, Sierra used the Federal 205M. These pressures are serious boys. Read the Manuals before you hurt yourself or somebody else.

Just a couple of comments:
I used the Rem factory 180gr last season to take a deer at about 110yds. One shot, deer died on the spot. (rifle was a Martini, 24" bbl)
In very limited testing, I have not had good results with 296 (accuracy wise).
Really interested in this thread!

Tested 21 grns 296 with remingtom SRprimers.
5 shots at 50yds were 2 inches.
I'll try 19 grains of 296 this week, and see if that tightens it up.
I haven't seen much help in the load developemnet in the NEF .357 max conversion that a bunch of us did. I'd like to see some other 357 max rifle test besides what ole RV the rookie is doing.
I do appreciate the good advice I've been given by DJ, Hobie, and others.
RV

I like aa1680 alot better in the 357 max than w296.It has way littler shot to shot variation and is just way more accurate.The 296 does not burn as clean either.I like aa1680 in my 375 win also .It brings the 357 max close to the 35 rem and the 375 win close to the 375 jdj.I have had very good luck with win small rifle primers also.I use to use 296 until I tried aa1680 in the 357 max.

I shot a 10" TC Contender in IHMSA competition for a few years and was amazed at the accuracy and velocity that was possible from a straight walled case and a 10" barrel.

For a hard hitting, heavy bullet load, use the RCBS 35-200 FN cast bullet. This was originally intended for the .35 Remington cartridge but is an outstanding choice for the Maximum.

As mentioned,.. WW680 is the way to get horsepower out of the Maximum but my competition load was with H4227 because of it's accuracy potential.