Starting to play around with a 16" Competitor .357 Magnum that Rod rechambered to Maximum for me. I'm looking for a mild load with 180gr bullets. I want to run it tame since I have 16" of barrel that will help run the FPS up somewhat. What are you guys using??

I will be watching this one closely.

DOA.

I have a LOT of Max data from a 10" barrel I had but was just curious of what folks may be using. PM me if you are looking for data. I had 160gr Hornady SIL bullets rolling 2100fps from that 10"er! They were SUPEr accurate also.

Dan,

I'm shooting IMR 4227 in my 10" MGM Contender. I'm getting 1700 fps with 180 gr XTP's and MOA accuracy if the shooter does his part.

Good luck with the new toy!

Is that your recipe in the members section Dan? I've been using it and concur, it shoots. That is my hunting load. I do get an occasional sticky one tho ;-)

Yeah...it is warm. I have a PILE of 180gr Hornady SSPB's so that's what I want to use. That 160gr load would really scream from a 16" barrel.

I've heard some really mixed reviews of performance with those in the Max so I've stayed away. I think you want them going pretty quick to "work". When I run out of those old 'red box' 160's I may have to look for another bullet myself. Will be interested in what you find.

I've got a couple of deer stands where potential shots can be longer than my comfort zone with a revolver. Before next deer season, I'd like to test these in my .357 Max:
180 Grain Swift A-frame Bullets

I've used a bunch of the 180gr SSPBs at velocities around 1900-2000 and they've done well. Going to see how fast the 16" barrel can comfortably shoot them before I call them my "go-to" Max bullet.

Lil gun is scary accurate with the Hornady 180 gr. bullet, my other load is H-110, with the 200gr. FTX, the barrel is a 15" MGM full bull Encore.

Dan here is the load that shoot well in my TC contender 14" barrel Speer 180gr flat nose with a charge of H4277 21grs my barrel likes the Speer 180's over the Hornady 180's

I was seeing the same thing with LG but all the talk about high temps is scaring me. I was seeing the heat marks on cases that looked they were partially annealed with LG.

Winchester 296 has been my go to powder. I have a 12" Max barrel that loves 190 & 200 grain cast lead bullets.

Dan, I have a new to me MGM 12 bull fluted Contender barrel in the 357 Maximum. I have put together three loads so far and the XTP and the Hornady 180 SP are shooting the best. I'm loading H110, 19 grns. I don't know what the speeds are until it warms up a little and can make another trip to the range with chrono.
The XTP is shooting great out to 100yds. With a 4x scope I'm gettiung 4" groups at 100yds off of my shooting sticks. I don't know how the Hornady SP will do on whitetail or hogs but I have heard a lot of people like them. I did have to get a 35 Rem seater for the SP bullets so I didn't flatten the point.
Have a good day. Liked your photos of the antelope hunt. Sure wish I could have made it.

My 15in MGM barrel likes AA1680 topped with a RCBS 180 SIL bullet and a CCI primer.

It also does well with a 180gr XTP over H110, but the H110 kicks like a mule!!

1680 is mild and it actually gave me a 1/2 3 shot group at 100.

Duane