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Post by Encore64 on Feb 17, 2024 18:06:26 GMT -5
I'm with Hunter01 as the cylinder in mine is exactly 1.850".
But, I do see a need for the 360 Dan Wesson Cylinder.
While I could size the bullets down, the 180s can't be seated long due to the shank being too wide for the throats.
I believe the 360 Chambers will solve that if their simply deeper than the 357 Mag Chambers.
On reloading the brass 6 times, keep in mind that was the same brass I used to work up loads too. So, total loadings are probably 10, more or less.
I did settle on Starline Brass. It measure almost .003" larger in diameter than Winchester Brass. I surmised that would work the brass less due to less expansion. I'm not sure if that theory is sound. But, it sounded right in my head...
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Post by Encore64 on Feb 17, 2024 18:14:57 GMT -5
Also, the Gardners Bullets seated in 1.41" DW Brass would be 1.80". So they'd still be a go in the BFR.
Then, I believe we could match the Taffin 353 Ballistics with acceptable case life...
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Post by hunter01 on Feb 17, 2024 18:35:04 GMT -5
Also, the Gardners Bullets seated in 1.41" DW Brass would be 1.80". So they'd still be a go in the BFR. Then, I believe we could match the Taffin 353 Ballistics with acceptable case life... Thats makes good sense. Maybe you changed my mind. 😁 |
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Post by bigbore5 on Feb 17, 2024 19:04:57 GMT -5
With the extra capacity of the DW brass, I think it will equal the maximum velocity. It should be a real deer getter with minimal recoil.
The bfr cylinder is longer than the one in my 353. I think the bfr cylinder is long enough for the Keith bullet seated out in the crimp groove. I also get great performance from the 359-640 bullets in the maximum using DW brass and #9 powder. Thinking about trying #11FS next.
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Post by Encore64 on Feb 17, 2024 19:05:40 GMT -5
Even if the DW Case allows us 15 more grains of bullet (180 grn) at the same velocity with the same case life, I'd be golden.
16-1650 fps from a 180 grn is no joke...
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Post by bigbore5 on Feb 17, 2024 19:10:55 GMT -5
My favorite deer load in the maximum is a 178gr at 1630fps anyway.
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Post by Encore64 on Feb 17, 2024 19:23:11 GMT -5
My favorite deer load in the maximum is a 178gr at 1630fps anyway. I think I can do that with this gun. I'll grab a Lee Sizer Die and hone it until I can seat the 180s long. If I crimp over the bottom band of the top lube groove, OAL is still under what the cylinder will accept. Lube grooves are irrelevant with coated bullets. If I do that, the bullet profile allows a little more case capacity than the 165s. |
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Post by sixshot on Feb 17, 2024 19:32:20 GMT -5
1600-1650 fps with a 180 gr bullet & you'll have to rename it, that's not really a 357 magnum anymore, yikes! You're breaking new ground. Oh, I also like 2400 over H110.
Dick
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Post by Encore64 on Feb 17, 2024 19:45:53 GMT -5
I've made up my mind that any load I use will have to allow at least five loadings per case.
There'll be some learning curves. But, I don't give up easy...
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Post by tdbarton on Feb 17, 2024 21:25:26 GMT -5
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Post by Encore64 on Feb 17, 2024 21:27:21 GMT -5
Left: Stateline 195 grn
Right: Gardners 165 grn
Thanks Tim...
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Post by Encore64 on Feb 19, 2024 18:20:18 GMT -5
So, now I know. Sorta related to this project.
I knew the Henry Rifle was brute strong. I mean it's chambered in 308 and 243 Winchester.
I had some of the BFR Ammo left, so decided to try it in the rifle.
The Stateline Bullets are a no go. Bullet Profile hits the rifling and won't allow the gun to close.
But, the Gardners 165 were what I used in this gun before. I had six rounds left loaded.
I fired three at the target at 25 yards. More just for longevity of my chronograph. Made one 1/2" hole.
Next three thru the chronograph. Amazingly I got 1929, 1929 and 1926 fps. That's consistent!!!
Also, that's just over 1360 fpe from the 357 Magnum.
In all honesty, I've exceeded this with Lil Gun and 158 grn XTPs at 2025 fps / 1438 fpe.
But, with no leading from the Gardners Cast Bullets, I'm downright impressed.
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Post by lar4570 on Feb 19, 2024 23:09:05 GMT -5
Encore64, I have one problem with your writeup. 1. No pictures of the gun. Seriously though, great detail and info. Those are some smoking velocities. I tried hotrodding my Rossi M92 357mag, but ran into pierced primers pretty quick  |
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Post by Encore64 on Feb 20, 2024 11:55:04 GMT -5
I'll get some pictures and measurements for those interested. We've all seen BFRs, but I want to show a few details...
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Post by ss30378 on Feb 20, 2024 16:47:09 GMT -5
Your BFR sounds like an excellent piece. I got into loading the 353 level loads about 6 years ago. I sent my 6.5" Blackhawk (with bisley conversion) to Reeder for an oversized 6 shot cylinder. It was a great deal (under $300 bucks with shipping included) back then, not sure what it would be today. I can max OAL out at 1.840" in the new cylinder compared to 1.70" in the factory blackhawk cylinder. The chambers were tighter and Gary also cut the cylinder gap down to .002" compared to the .007" it was originally at. The tighter cylinder and smaller gap netted me 100fps in additional speed in my short OAL loads. My throats were at .357 in the new cylinder but I opened them up to .3585 to run bullets like the MBC pugnose without having to size them down.
Loading to 1.800" OAL (bottom lube groove in the MBC slug) I've gotten the 180g pugnose to 1800fps in the 6.5" gun but this is one and done with the case at that pressure level. Case capacity loading at that length is similar to a 125g factory load. Keeping it in the 1600-1650fps range with the 180s gives me at least 5 loadings before the primer pocket loosens up.
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