My passion is night fishing off the kentucky river bank. It gets a little spooky around 2am. So i want max penatration out of my 6 inch ruger gp.100 357. Never know whats going to come out of them woods running at ya lol. Great video some day i might make my own.
probably no grizzly bears off the kentucky river bank But just in case below is a max load hand loaded and shot in the 6 inch ruger gp.100 357 For 180 grain 357 Federal Power-Shok in .357 Magnum is not in the same class as any of the below BUFFALO BORE HEAVY 357 MAG OUTDOORSMAN 180 gr. Hard Cast LFN-GC - (1,400 fps/M.E. 783 ft. lbs.) BUFFALO BORE HEAVY 357 MAG. 180 gr. JHP (1,500fps/M.E. 899 ft. lbs.) or hand loaded in the video "DUPLICATING BUFFALO BORE .357 MAGNUM 180 GRAIN!" now "private" where "angry Dick" at Steep Kuntry Outdoors did a fine job of taking apart and duplicating the BUFFALO BORE HEAVY 357 MAG OUTDOORSMAN 180 gr. Hard Cast LFN-GC load, noting the very heavy crimp as perhaps "part of the secret sauce", comparing the powder to a number of likely candidates to determine the powder was Hodgdon Lil' Gun and weighing the powder, he identified the exact bullet but, by memory, chose another 180 gr. Hard Cast LFN-GC bullet because of total cost including shipping at the time, loaded some up and found he had more than accomplished his goal. I copied the following comment that was posted to that video when it was public for the details of the load which was, as I remember just a bit "north" of the listed max load at Hodgdon but which angry Dick figured Buffalo bore had determined to be safe with their testing equipment. dr smokey bones 6 months ago Good work, Angry Dick. I assembled that load and took it to the range. Using my 6" six shot GP100, I got great results. 20 rounds all chronographed solid mid 1,400's some close to 1,500 fps. I used some Remington unfired factory primed nickel plated brass, Cast Performance 180-grain hard-cast gas-checked bullets and, 15.8 grains of Lil' Gun. I had no signs of excessive pressure like blown or even super flattened primers. Also, absolutely no sticky ejection either. Most importantly, accuracy is good also. Had no trouble putting them into 1.5" or 2" inches at 25 yards rested off my toolbox on the bench. The cast performance bullets I used don't have the giant crimping groove either. I had no issues with "crimp jump" using a normal stout crimp as you would on any full power 357 or 44 Mag load. I think the reason Buffalo Bore uses that massive crimp is to eliminate any possibility of crimp jump, especially if their ammo is used in something like a 2" SP101 or similar. Thanks again from New Mexico for your research I would add that without knowing if it is possible or true that a very heavy crimp along with the heavy for caliber long bullet may help insure that the max combustion pressure has passed by the time the base of the bullet passes the cylinder/barrel gap to reduce flame cutting reported with Lil' Gun in some of the larger than .357 big bore (.44 and up) handguns.
I’ve had great success with those two powders !! I’ve used 2400 for 50 plus years and still use it ! I also use AA #9 with great results ! Viht. N 110 is also a very good magnum powder and produces very good accuracy !
One thing where 300MP will start overtaking lil gun is when you start stretching out the barrel. It is a very slow burning powder but you can get some ridiculous velocities out of it, especially lever action, but also longer barreled revolvers. (Check the Hornady manual)
I use both powders in several cartridges, seems like it varies. I will be trying both in my new 44 mag Henry rifle. Hey, thanks for your input and watching!
XTP 158 15 Little Gun, XTP 125 16.5 Little Gun. LHCSWC 158 6 Unique, LHCSWC 125 6.5 Unique. These are the bullets that are at the local Shop. With my 22's I'll never go hungry. If and when I have to Step it up a notch the 357 fits the bill. Rifles and sidearms in these calibers are at hand. In my opinion the 357 is the most versatile, the 110-125 bullets PSP, the heavy bullets for Hunting. The 357 will shoot all the 38sp and the +P ammo and the over the counter ammo for the 357 is pretty good. Then we have Reloading. In the Hornady Manual shows 6 different bullets.
If the powders have similar cost/pound I would use the lil gun as you would get 42 more loads/pound. The 3 shot chrono is not a great method, as you observed a 60fps differential in the one load and the error in the other load skewed the average. Either would drive that heavy bullet pretty deep at normal handgun hunting range,
Lil'Gun is a great powder! It is getting more popular and useful in the 300 Blackout and 450 Bushmaster. 300-MP is less popular but in some applications, works better. Thanks for watching and keep looking for supplies! Things are showing up and getting better!
John, check out 'Steep Country Outdoors' channel as a good reference. He did a breakdown of the buffalo bore 180gr load and matched it, getting 1450fps from a 4.2" Ruger using Lil'gun powder. Might be something you'd be interested in. Good video.
For 180 grain 357 Federal Power-Shok in .357 Magnum is not in the same class as any of the below BUFFALO BORE HEAVY 357 MAG OUTDOORSMAN 180 gr. Hard Cast LFN-GC - (1,400 fps/M.E. 783 ft. lbs.) BUFFALO BORE HEAVY 357 MAG. 180 gr. JHP (1,500fps/M.E. 899 ft. lbs.) or hand loaded in the video "DUPLICATING BUFFALO BORE .357 MAGNUM 180 GRAIN!" now "private" where "angry Dick" at Steep Kuntry Outdoors did a fine job of taking apart and duplicating the BUFFALO BORE HEAVY 357 MAG OUTDOORSMAN 180 gr. Hard Cast LFN-GC load, noting the very heavy crimp as perhaps "part of the secret sauce", comparing the powder to a number of likely candidates to determine the powder was Hodgdon Lil' Gun and weighing the powder, he identified the exact bullet but, by memory, chose another 180 gr. Hard Cast LFN-GC bullet because of total cost including shipping at the time, loaded some up and found he had more than accomplished his goal. I copied the following comment that was posted to that video when it was public for the details of the load which was, as I remember just a bit "north" of the listed max load at Hodgdon dr smokey bones 6 months ago Good work, Angry Dick. I assembled that load and took it to the range. Using my 6" six shot GP100, I got great results. 20 rounds all chronographed solid mid 1,400's some close to 1,500 fps. I used some Remington unfired factory primed nickel plated brass, Cast Performance 180-grain hard-cast gas-checked bullets and, 15.8 grains of Lil' Gun. I had no signs of excessive pressure like blown or even super flattened primers. Also, absolutely no sticky ejection either. Most importantly, accuracy is good also. Had no trouble putting them into 1.5" or 2" inches at 25 yards rested off my toolbox on the bench. The cast performance bullets I used don't have the giant crimping groove either. I had no issues with "crimp jump" using a normal stout crimp as you would on any full power 357 or 44 Mag load. I think the reason Buffalo Bore uses that massive crimp is to eliminate any possibility of crimp jump, especially if their ammo is used in something like a 2" SP101 or similar. Thanks again from New Mexico for your research I would add that without knowing if it is possible or true that a very heavy crimp along with the heavy for caliber long bullet may help insure that the max combustion pressure has passed by the time the base of the bullet passes the cylinder/barrel gap to reduce flame cutting reported with Lil' Gun in some of the larger than .357 big bore (.44 and up) handguns.
7 yards is no test of accuracy and as others have said 3 shot groups are not statistically viable. At least 25 yards is needed for accuracy, and I do at least 5 full cylinders full on the best loads to see if any of the chambers is out of specs if any are you will see subgroups in your grouping. Also, a rest is more productive than off hand.
This was an initial test and comparison of 2 powders, so 25 yards accuracy or large round groups really are not needed. A rest is more stable, but I shoot standing since that is a more realistic position. Hey, thanks for your thoughts and watching!
My method for checking the accuracy of a certain load that I’ve put together for my .357 Magnum may be different than yours. You seem like an experienced shooter (lots of videos with lots of different firearms, lots of experience for sure…). Initial test of new powder(s) you hadn’t used with this cartridge, and seeing if the loads shot, didn’t show signs of excessive pressure, plus at spitting distance put (3)? rounds on paper… ok, sure I’ll buy that. Initial testing, ya sure. As a reloader, my way is my way, and I’ve done it long enough to know that others have their own methods that they use, and believe in. I tend to shot a bit more rounds, and 25 yards is my minimum with a handgun. I happened to purchase some 300 MP & Lil Gun (that I’ve never used with .357 Mag). Waiting for the temps to move up to a little warmer for me. Thanks for the video(s) & good luck 👍😎.
Do you have a video on 38 special hunting loads? I tried to source that 2021 manual but can’t find anywhere to get it used. Was hoping to see if it has data on the 158grn Keith style bullet
Well, I have a few .38 Special videos, but not really for hunting. Hodgdon's website has an online load data center that has more info than the yearly magazine. The Lyman handbook has a lot of good data too.I assume you want a +P load, and how long of a barrel?
My passion is night fishing off the kentucky river bank. It gets a little spooky around 2am. So i want max penatration out of my 6 inch ruger gp.100 357. Never know whats going to come out of them woods running at ya lol. Great video some day i might make my own.
A good handgun and flashlight are very important for night time! Good luck fishing!
probably no grizzly bears off the kentucky river bank But just in case below is a max load hand loaded and shot in the 6 inch ruger gp.100 357
For 180 grain 357 Federal Power-Shok in .357 Magnum is not in the same class as any of the below
BUFFALO BORE HEAVY 357 MAG OUTDOORSMAN 180 gr. Hard Cast LFN-GC - (1,400 fps/M.E. 783 ft. lbs.)
BUFFALO BORE HEAVY 357 MAG. 180 gr. JHP (1,500fps/M.E. 899 ft. lbs.)
or hand loaded in the video "DUPLICATING BUFFALO BORE .357 MAGNUM 180 GRAIN!" now "private" where "angry Dick" at Steep Kuntry Outdoors did a fine job of taking apart and duplicating the BUFFALO BORE HEAVY 357 MAG OUTDOORSMAN 180 gr. Hard Cast LFN-GC load, noting the very heavy crimp as perhaps "part of the secret sauce", comparing the powder to a number of likely candidates to determine the powder was Hodgdon Lil' Gun and weighing the powder, he identified the exact bullet but, by memory, chose another 180 gr. Hard Cast LFN-GC bullet because of total cost including shipping at the time, loaded some up and found he had more than accomplished his goal. I copied the following comment that was posted to that video when it was public for the details of the load which was, as I remember just a bit "north" of the listed max load at Hodgdon but which angry Dick figured Buffalo bore had determined to be safe with their testing equipment.
dr smokey bones
6 months ago
Good work, Angry Dick. I assembled that load and took it to the range. Using my 6" six shot GP100, I got great results. 20 rounds all chronographed solid mid 1,400's some close to 1,500 fps. I used some Remington unfired factory primed nickel plated brass, Cast Performance 180-grain hard-cast gas-checked bullets and, 15.8 grains of Lil' Gun. I had no signs of excessive pressure like blown or even super flattened primers. Also, absolutely no sticky ejection either. Most importantly, accuracy is good also. Had no trouble putting them into 1.5" or 2" inches at 25 yards rested off my toolbox on the bench. The cast performance bullets I used don't have the giant crimping groove either. I had no issues with "crimp jump" using a normal stout crimp as you would on any full power 357 or 44 Mag load. I think the reason Buffalo Bore uses that massive crimp is to eliminate any possibility of crimp jump, especially if their ammo is used in something like a 2" SP101 or similar. Thanks again from New Mexico for your research
I would add that without knowing if it is possible or true that a very heavy crimp along with the heavy for caliber long bullet may help insure that the max combustion pressure has passed by the time the base of the bullet passes the cylinder/barrel gap to reduce flame cutting reported with Lil' Gun in some of the larger than .357 big bore (.44 and up) handguns.
H110 is the angel dust for magnum handgun loading, as far as I'm concerned.
H110 and W296, which is the same exact powder are great and
I use it a lot. I wanted to try different powders in this video. Hey, thanks for watching!
I’ve had great success with those two powders !! I’ve used 2400 for 50 plus years and still use it !
I also use AA #9 with great results !
Viht. N 110 is also a very good magnum powder and produces very good accuracy !
I would recommend either 2400 or H110 for magnum loads.
I have used both and they are great powders! Appreciate you watching!
I've only used LIL gun powder in my 450bushmaster excellent results In 460sw shortend case life . Good video
Thanks! I use Lil'Gun in my 450 Bushmaster also!
@@30-06john I use Lil'Gun down here in Australia in my 450BM ruger Scout. Great stuff!
Yeah, I use it in my 450 Bushmaster too!@@aaronm8694
Yes, a simple satisfaction comes with loading your own ammo. I'll try Lil'gun. Thanks 30-06 John
Yep, also saves a lot of money too! Thanks and appreciate you watching!
One thing where 300MP will start overtaking lil gun is when you start stretching out the barrel. It is a very slow burning powder but you can get some ridiculous velocities out of it, especially lever action, but also longer barreled revolvers. (Check the Hornady manual)
I use both powders in several cartridges, seems like it varies. I will be trying both in my new 44 mag Henry rifle. Hey, thanks for your input and watching!
Thank You Very Much for the Info. 👍
Glad you found it useful, and thanks for watching!
Thats impressive performance.
Thanks! Yeah, Lil'Gun is a pretty good powder!
XTP 158 15 Little Gun, XTP 125 16.5 Little Gun. LHCSWC 158 6 Unique, LHCSWC 125 6.5 Unique.
These are the bullets that are at the local Shop.
With my 22's I'll never go hungry. If and when I have to Step it up a notch the 357 fits the bill.
Rifles and sidearms in these calibers are at hand.
In my opinion the 357 is the most versatile, the 110-125 bullets PSP, the heavy bullets for Hunting.
The 357 will shoot all the 38sp and the +P ammo and the over the counter ammo for the 357 is pretty good.
Then we have Reloading. In the Hornady Manual shows 6 different bullets.
Yep, a lot of components for the 357 mag, makes it very useful. Hey, thanks for watching!
If the powders have similar cost/pound I would use the lil gun as you would get 42 more loads/pound. The 3 shot chrono is not a great method, as you observed a 60fps differential in the one load and the error in the other load skewed the average. Either would drive that heavy bullet pretty deep at normal handgun hunting range,
Lil'Gun is a great powder! It is getting more popular and useful in the 300 Blackout and 450 Bushmaster. 300-MP is less popular but in some applications, works better. Thanks for watching and keep looking for supplies! Things are showing up and getting better!
John, check out 'Steep Country Outdoors' channel as a good reference. He did a breakdown of the buffalo bore 180gr load and matched it, getting 1450fps from a 4.2" Ruger using Lil'gun powder. Might be something you'd be interested in. Good video.
Thanks! I use 300-MP in a 450 Bushmaster bolt action rifle with good luck so I wanted to compare it to Lil,Gun.
Thats alot of pressure
For 180 grain 357 Federal Power-Shok in .357 Magnum is not in the same class as any of the below
BUFFALO BORE HEAVY 357 MAG OUTDOORSMAN 180 gr. Hard Cast LFN-GC - (1,400 fps/M.E. 783 ft. lbs.)
BUFFALO BORE HEAVY 357 MAG. 180 gr. JHP (1,500fps/M.E. 899 ft. lbs.)
or hand loaded in the video "DUPLICATING BUFFALO BORE .357 MAGNUM 180 GRAIN!" now "private" where "angry Dick" at Steep Kuntry Outdoors did a fine job of taking apart and duplicating the BUFFALO BORE HEAVY 357 MAG OUTDOORSMAN 180 gr. Hard Cast LFN-GC load, noting the very heavy crimp as perhaps "part of the secret sauce", comparing the powder to a number of likely candidates to determine the powder was Hodgdon Lil' Gun and weighing the powder, he identified the exact bullet but, by memory, chose another 180 gr. Hard Cast LFN-GC bullet because of total cost including shipping at the time, loaded some up and found he had more than accomplished his goal. I copied the following comment that was posted to that video when it was public for the details of the load which was, as I remember just a bit "north" of the listed max load at Hodgdon
dr smokey bones
6 months ago
Good work, Angry Dick. I assembled that load and took it to the range. Using my 6" six shot GP100, I got great results. 20 rounds all chronographed solid mid 1,400's some close to 1,500 fps. I used some Remington unfired factory primed nickel plated brass, Cast Performance 180-grain hard-cast gas-checked bullets and, 15.8 grains of Lil' Gun. I had no signs of excessive pressure like blown or even super flattened primers. Also, absolutely no sticky ejection either. Most importantly, accuracy is good also. Had no trouble putting them into 1.5" or 2" inches at 25 yards rested off my toolbox on the bench. The cast performance bullets I used don't have the giant crimping groove either. I had no issues with "crimp jump" using a normal stout crimp as you would on any full power 357 or 44 Mag load. I think the reason Buffalo Bore uses that massive crimp is to eliminate any possibility of crimp jump, especially if their ammo is used in something like a 2" SP101 or similar. Thanks again from New Mexico for your research
I would add that without knowing if it is possible or true that a very heavy crimp along with the heavy for caliber long bullet may help insure that the max combustion pressure has passed by the time the base of the bullet passes the cylinder/barrel gap to reduce flame cutting reported with Lil' Gun in some of the larger than .357 big bore (.44 and up) handguns.
7 yards is no test of accuracy and as others have said 3 shot groups are not statistically viable. At least 25 yards is needed for accuracy, and I do at least 5 full cylinders full on the best loads to see if any of the chambers is out of specs if any are you will see subgroups in your grouping. Also, a rest is more productive than off hand.
This was an initial test and comparison of 2 powders, so 25 yards accuracy or large round groups really are not needed. A rest is more stable, but I shoot standing since that is a more realistic position. Hey, thanks for your thoughts and watching!
My method for checking the accuracy of a certain load that I’ve put together for my .357 Magnum may be different than yours. You seem like an experienced shooter (lots of videos with lots of different firearms, lots of experience for sure…). Initial test of new powder(s) you hadn’t used with this cartridge, and seeing if the loads shot, didn’t show signs of excessive pressure, plus at spitting distance put (3)? rounds on paper… ok, sure I’ll buy that. Initial testing, ya sure. As a reloader, my way is my way, and I’ve done it long enough to know that others have their own methods that they use, and believe in. I tend to shot a bit more rounds, and 25 yards is my minimum with a handgun. I happened to purchase some 300 MP & Lil Gun (that I’ve never used with .357 Mag). Waiting for the temps to move up to a little warmer for me. Thanks for the video(s) & good luck 👍😎.
What is the barrel length on that 357 magnum revolver?
4 inch. Merry Christmas and thanks for watching!
Do you have a video on 38 special hunting loads? I tried to source that 2021 manual but can’t find anywhere to get it used. Was hoping to see if it has data on the 158grn Keith style bullet
Well, I have a few .38 Special videos, but not really for hunting. Hodgdon's website has an online load data center that has more info than the yearly magazine. The Lyman handbook has a lot of good data too.I assume you want a +P load, and how long of a barrel?
2400
Great powder! Thanks for watching!
296 or 2400 are my go-to .357 magnum powders.
Both are great powders! I just wanted to try some different types in this video. Appreciate you watching!
@@30-06john you're welcome! These days we have to use the powders we can find.