Thread: 200 grain cast bullets in .357 magnum cases

I've successfully reloaded cartridges for three different calibres 'by the book', but now I want to use a heavy projectile that I can't find any suitable data for.

My goal is to have a .357 magnum cartridge which will allow me to shoot 200 grain cast projectiles around 1050 fps. These will be used primarily in a Bergara BA13 single-shot, although if they feed through my Rossi Puma I might use them in that as well.

I have loaded .357 cartridges with subsonic 125 and 158 grain projectiles, and these have worked well on the few goats and pigs that I've shot with them. However I want something with more power before I tackle deer. I know that what I already have would suffice if I am careful, but I'd rather have a bit more energy.

I've played around with subsonics in .303 and .308, and at the time I was bothered by the lack of expansion. While appropriate expansion is a good thing, I now think of all the animals we shot with military .303 bullets that just passed through (although some bullets must have tumbled... and if a bone was hit there could be quite a mess). And, like I said, my 158 grain subsonics have worked well on game and they probably didn't deform much. I haven't managed to find one yet.

Anyway.... that is the background to my project.

Now I'd appreciate any input regarding my desired goal. The projectile is most likely to be cast in a Lee C358-200-RF mould, but I don't yet have the mould and I am open to suggestions. I already have CCI standard small rifle primers, Trail Boss and AP70N powers. The ADI online reloading data stops at 180 grain projectiles. I know that it would be safe to try an uncompressed load of Trail Boss, but I reckon the maximum possible load will not provide the velocity I seek. I have seen some old data suggesting that 6 grains of Alliant Unique or 8.4 grains of Vihtavuori N105 would probably be suitable - but this is old data and I'd prefer to see recently published stuff. I understand that AP70N is close in performance to Unique, but I can't be certain of how things are nowadays.

Browsing the internet, it seems that there are plenty of shooters using 200 grain cast bullets in their .357 magnum firearms. Although I fully understand why, it is frustrating that their reloading recipes aren't freely published in many cases. Some guys are using W296 or Hodgdon H110 which is meant to be equivalent to ADI2205. I've never used this powder, but I'm a little scared of it having read so many warnings about the dangers of 'underloading'... the necessity of using magnum primers with it.... and the way a little bit extra can add a whole lot more pressure. It isn't the sort of thing I want to leave a can of for my grandchildren to inherit. But... if I can be convinced that it will give me a safe load for my project, it is a powder I can get hold of.

I believe it is possible to 'work up' a load using a rifle with a strong action, using common sense in comparing other loads, and working slowly and carefully while all the time looking for signs of excessive pressure. I could do this I guess. I am not an expert.

Thanks in advance... best wishes from Nelson.