Need help with spitzers in 357 Maximum

[berettadouble]

I am reloading for a 14" Contender in 357 Max. I picked up a couple boxes of .358" Hornady 180 SSP bullets and am trying to reload them with data from Speer.

My Lee dies jack up the bullet noses pretty good. I know I can send them to Lee and have them modified, but I really don't want to send off dies I use frequently if I can help it. Any suggestion?

[skeet]

I seated mine with a 35 Remington die. Turned the seating stem down till I got it where I wanted. Crimped the case a bit in the 357 die with the seater stem out. Didn't need much as I shoot a Contender. Friend killed a deer this fall with that 180 gr bullet..about 140 yds. He is a very good shot though.

[gd357]

If you have a 3 die set, you can replace the seat plug with the corresponding part in the expansion die. It will leave a light ring visible in the copper jacket, but no problems other than that. I had the same issue when I started reloading for the max. Another thing to consider is just drilling out the center of the seat plug.

BTW, I've taken 4 or 5 whitetails with that bullet, and they all dropped on the spot with one 25 yard exception. From 5 to 180 yards. If I had one handgun to hunt with for the rest of my life, that would probably be it.

gd

[BILLY D.]

I like the Max sooo much I'm having a carbine barrel made in that caliber.

Due to physical problems I hunt with a handgun more than I do a rifle. The Max has put a lot of meat in the freezer.

I like the 180 and 200 SP's and LilGun is my favorite powder. The round noses are nothing to squeeze your nose over either.

Best wishes, Bill

[Shooter Steve]

When I needed a modified seating stem for my .357 Maximum Rifle I sent a bullet and a check to Lee and in less than 2 weeks received a seating stem that matched the 180 SSP bullet. It seemed to me it was 12 bucks, but I did not have to send the dies. I still have the original seating stem too, they just sent a new one with the correct inside profile. I put up a site (357maximum.com) to share information on my experience with the Max. as an Indiana Deer Rifle. You may find some of the information helpful. Good Shooting, Steve

[Rocky Raab]

If that's the bullet you intend to use for the foreseeable future, just degrease the seater stem, put a small amount of Bondo or bedding compound in the cup and press in a well-waxed bullet. Make sure it is straight and allow to cure. Trim any excess molding compound and set the stem for its new length. Done.