Need help with spitzers in 357 Maximum
 

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?

35 seater.
 

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.

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

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

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

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.