Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Single Shots 357 max in a H&R single shot

I just received my rechambered 357 to 357 max and I'm loading a few rest rounds up. Does anyone that shoots Max have any opinions on compacted loads with W296 in this cartridge. I'm using Hornady 180gr xtp hp bullets. 23 gr is just touching touching the powder seated at the second ring.
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On a second note...if anyone has Hornady SSP bullets in 35cal to spare id like to buy a box. I know they are no longer made, but any are available id like to own some. At least until I out grow this max phase.

Thanks
Mongrel

Hornady manual shows 21 gr max for 180 gr bullet and 296.

Hodgon reloading site shows 21.3 gr max for 180 gr bullet and 296.

Same case and primer?

😜

No idea regarding the case and primer, however i wouldn't start with a load 2 grs over max, I"ve been loading the 357 Maximum since 1983 with 180gr cast bullets and max loads of Win 680 powder> I worked up to the max loads, I didn't start with them.

During my brief Contender phase, I noticed the loads listed by the folks at MGM looked a bit frisky compared to the other data I’d seen.

I agree; two grains over at the start doesn’t seem prudent.

Okay, Hodgdon shows 20.3gr max with the 180gr Swift, with both H110 and 296, which are the same powder in different jugs.

Where did you get the 23gr load?

21.3g is only 0.3g more than 21.0g

I didn't start at 23 grains of 296, I started at 21grs. I knew this was safe because of past experience reloading the 357 mag for single shot rifle. My question wasn't how much powder, it was a question about compacting 296. 21 grains is like baby food in this barrel, mild as a popcorn fart. I've used 296 and 110 for years and I know it likes a full case and mag primers. Just wasn't sure how far to go with a compacted load in this powder. I'm not shooting this in a revolver like back in the 80s. This is a handi rifle barrel.

If I had that rifle I would throat it.
I would load super OAL long.
I would find a .358" boat tail bullet.

With a Contender I found my barrel's max was just below book max with 180s and as Hornady warned about, using H110 even less in the summer.
Not so much sticky extraction but flattened primers.

Had I extended the OAL (probably good to do with the infamous Contender chambers) I may well have gained enough "case capacity" to provide pressure drops.

Have not exercised anything but 22 LR in the Contender clan in years.
Maybe something to do this year

I haven't loaded 296 in the 357 Maximum since the 80's . I did find some extraction issues on really warm days with my Ruger SBK. no issues in the contender barrels.

I have a 14" TC in Max taht i've scoped and use a carbine Butt Stock


And a Henry 357 Mag that I'd love to convert to Maximum, Just too expensive to send south.

Good Luck with your load

I have loaded over max loads in the 357 Maximum but I also loaded the ammo at a longer COAL.

Accurate 1680 has done me well for the short 13 years I've been loading the Maximum.

Dennis at Fury Custom Bullets can replicate the Hornady 180gr SSPB. I especially like the performance of his 180gr TCN bullets!

Thanks, Dinny

Is the barrel on an SB1 or SB2 frame? If on an SB1 I would consider 21.0 of H110 as max. If on an SB2 you can likely go with MGM's hot data.

The firing pin size is more of a factor than the receiver. Smaller is better but any LFP issues can be corrected with different primers. BTDT

Thanks, Dinny

357 Maximum chambers vary about as much as the people that post here. My first one was custom chambered to fit the early SSPBs with the cannelure that was cut lower on the shank of the bullet. My latest chamber looks like it was cut with a boring bar. Make a chamber cast and compare it to dummy rounds you build. THEN...load for your chamber!

296/H-110 doesn't like air space. If you are barley at the base of the bullet then another grain or so would most likely be fine

This is what I've found to be be true with the 296 and air space. I have now over the last couple days found that compressed loads are ok too. I'm tooling around 27grs now. I believe the 26gr load might be where I settle. Over the years handloading I've recognized that recoil feel is a lot of the indicator of a proper round. The 26 gr load seems to be the sweet spot. All of them group after the chamber job by Bellm. There are a lot of rounds that suggested load data is just a suggestion, but the Max load data is certainly a suggestion when using in a rifle. I hope to run across some 1680 before long and try it....but right now I am pleased with the 296. I'm curious what is gonna do as the spring heats up. I'm sure it migh be a bit sticky

If I don't soon find some of the Hornady SSp's I think I'll get some fury bullets. Just not dying to pay a dollar per bullet if I can avoid it.