Home Forums Reloading Big Game Rifles 350 Legend - Velocity/Pressure Question

With limited reloading data available, I have a question with regard to Velocity/Pressure and a safe load.

I have been using LiLGun, Hornady 170 SP bullets, CCI 450 primers, and Winchester brass (all I can find). The rifle is a bolt action with a 23" barrel. Chronograph is a Labradar.

Hodgdon data (24" barrel):

- LIL'GUN: starting load @ 25 gr , 2181fps / max load @ 27.9gr , 2307fps

At 24gr of LIL'GUN, one grain below the starting load, my rifle is averaging 2361fps. At 23gr of LIL'GUN, two grains below the starting load, my rifle is averaging 2307 fps.

The 24gr load has been my most accurate with the most consistent velocity spread. When I drop to 23gr, my groups open up and my velocity spreads open up too. My concern is that the 24gr load is on the hot side based on velocity. I can not find any Hornady 170 factory ammo to get a base line for velocity. So, should I keep dropping the powder charge until I find another accurate charge weight or go with the 24gr charge at 2361 fps?

Thanks for the help.

I load for 357 maximum with 180’s I’m dropping 26 gr of lil gun for 2325 FPS. 27 gr. Wasn’t much faster and group opened up. To me your gun will tell you where it wants to be. If your group is good and speed doesn’t vary as much then you’re right there. How The barrel is throated can affect your load data too. Sounds to me your on track.
I built a 357 rimless which is similar to the Legend but case is 1.8” and bore is .358. I’m running 35 gr. Of AA 1680 and pushing a 180 at 2600 FPS. 150 at 2870 FPS. That little rocket is fun.

How do you make cases for the 357 Rimless?

405wcf

Starline.223 basic brass. $91.00 for 250 pc. Michigan law is straight wall not to exceed 1.8” case length. 223 basic brass comes rough cut close to that length. Most mine were 1.795-1.798. Second batch was 1.834 average. I had my chambers cut but MGM to 1.795 to be safe with Michigan law and utilize the brass length. I put together an Encore and a Remage barrel on a Remington 700 fed with a Wyatts BDL box mag. Feeds great. I’ve killed a couple of deer now with the Encore and it’s a hammer.

Thanks!

405wcf

Scallop, the bolt action is good for pressures well above the MAP of the 350 Legend. The basic brass for the 350 is also good for pressures well above the MAP for the cartridge. If you look at the pressure that Lil Gun is running for a max charge and 170's, it's nowhere close to the MAP of the cartridge, basically 9k psi away from it. So in short, if you are running a hair hotter for velocity using Lil Gun, you are still nowhere near the MAP for the 350 Legend. If that load shoots the best even though for velocity it is a hair on the warm side, it is still cool on the pressure side. No worries at all. Shoot 'em up.