How fast can you push lead in 357 rifle

[smithyT176]

So I ordered some 357 mag 180gr cast pugnose bullets for hunting In a 20" lever action. Loaded with 14 grains of lil gun. Works great in my revolvers at 1300fps in a 10" barrel. Think I can push to 1600-1700fps in a rifle without leading. Brinell hardness is only 18 and these are not go bullets.

[Ohio3Wheels]

I've run 180 gr Penn and 180 gr Oregon Trail over 296 that the data estimates 1500 or so out of a 18.5" barrel. They behave very well out of my 20".

I should add that with these 180s and some from a now defunct local caster I'm using published maximum loads with either WW296 or H110. Always keeping in mind that I snuck up on those load cautiously. With both powders there is very little room between min and max.

Make smoke,

[Ranch Dog]

I'm using my TLC359-190-RF bullet, a bullet I designed for the 35 Rem, with 15.5-grains of Lil-Gun for 1780 FPS.



As you can see from the image, this is a gas checked bullet that I size to .358". With my typical water quenched alloy it is 16 to 18 BHN. I use 38 Spl brass rather than trim a 357 Mag case to match the crimp groove. This picture is posted elsewhere on the forum but here is what it looks like, it is the cartridge on the left.



Here is all the stuff about how it's loaded, the trajectory, and the terminal performance.







I'm a fan of the Lee Rife (Collet Style) Factory Crimp Dies. The 38 Spl case is too short to actuate the collet of this type of die. So, I just received a special order from Lee this week, it is there Short Bottle Neck Rifle Collet Style FCD.



This style of FCD is for the short bottle necked pistol cartridges and the trick to this die is that the collect is upside down and actuates against the solid top of the die body. When I had the mold business, I talked Lee into making the rifle style collet FCDs for the 357 Mag, 41 Mag, 44 Mag, and 45 Colt. There was some worry about the 357 Mag working with such a short collet so both the standard FCD and the SBNRCS FCD were made for me to test. So now my R92 has two unique FCDs; one for the 357 Mag and the new die for 38 Spl brass . I know, I know more info that you asked for but I love figuring out this stuff!

[Coop 45]

You could always go with a gas check.

I know a bloke who was told you couldn't get a 44 mag to go over 2000 fps. He took this as a personal challenge, and it turns you can and he did it with a gas checked lead projectile. However, like most of this things, just because you can does not mean you should. He did it with a ported marlin, so if you did not hold the lever tight it would "self eject". The porting resulted in slivers of lead coming out at 90 degrees to the barrel and at least one person was nicked.

[Ranch Dog]

You could always go with a gas check.

I know a bloke who was told you couldn't get a 44 mag to go over 2000 fps. He took this as a personal challenge, and it turns you can and he did it with a gas checked lead projectile. However, like most of this things, just because you can does not mean you should. He did it with a ported marlin, so if you did not hold the lever tight it would "self eject". The porting resulted in slivers of lead coming out at 90 degrees to the barrel and at least one person was nicked.

For me, I prefer gas checks on everything except low pressure pistol cartridges. Just eliminates all the fuss. I shoot my 444 Marlin at 2400 FPS with my 275-grain bullet without issue.

[cdmajesty]

Out of a Rossi 92 357 16" barrel: I launch a 190 grain bullet at ~1800 fps behind 16 grains lilgun. The bullet is a pb design, but I add an aluminum check to the base via Pat Marlin's pb gc maker. No leading.

[parson48]

I don't have a chrony, but I've shot lee gas checked swc bullets in my 357 maximum rifle at probably 2000 fps with good results and little, if any, leading.

[groo01]

Groo here
Some say the Hi-tec can go to 2000fps fine.
The powder coated ones , ???, some clame 3000fps or more.
I would say . till the groups open up!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!