Browning's 124 grain RN FMJ Target Ammo

[Pangab]

I am currently reloading the 350 legend with Hornady 170 grain projectiles, 25 grains of lil gun, cci small rifle primers and browning cases for a savage axis 350 legend bolt action rifle.

I love the load I worked up it's very accurate and the projectiles are meant for 350 legend. It is .355 in diameter and rated for rifle fps marketed for reloading the 350 legend cartridge.

Now jump to a box of factory ammo. Browning 124 grain FMJ Target and plinking ammo. On the browning box it states clearly that it uses a .357 projectile that travels at 2500fps.

My confusion is how did browning find a 124 grain pistol bullet to handle 2500 fps. The only load data I have come across is for Hornady or Winchester pp projectiles. Does this mean we can use .357 projectiles and safely push a 124 grain one to 2500 fps?

Basically I have a good hunting load already. I want to use some cheaper projectiles as range ammo. If .357 is an option do they have ones that will handle high rifle velocities?

What about cast bullets in .357 these would need a special type of cast bullet that allows the use of a gas check. Is that right? The gas check would have to be sized with the cast bullet to form the complete projectile. I'd rather not use cast at all.

It would be awesome if I could just buy some cheap Barry's 9mm RN FMJ but those are rated to 1250 I believe.

 

[Pangab]

I deconstructed one of the factory rounds and found about 25 grains of some stick powder and what looked to me like a standard 124 grain plated jacketed pistol bullet. The powder used has a bit more volume to fill the case. The projectile was seated very shallow. I have the specs written down. The box list the projectile at .357 when I removed the crimped bullet it measured .354 again I will check my notes at home.



So what gives can I just use cheap 9mm?

 

[GLShooter]

I'd not hesitate to use true jacketed 9 MM in it. Nothing says you couldn't push the plated rounds that fast but I'd look long and hard at that bore after a whole bunch of Berry's. I've read of them being pushed fast but I've stopped at 1600 or so using their heavy plate stuff with no problems that are rated at 1500.

Greg

 

[rockrat]

You could always try a powder coated cast bullet

 

[Pangab]

You could always try a powder coated cast bullet

I have some of those I use for my 9mm. Dg bullets in Wisconsin sold me 1000 powder coated 124 grain bullets for about 75 bucks. Works great in the Taurus G3 with 3.1 grain of accurate no 2.

However, isn't a cast bullet even weaker thus the need for copper or brass gas checks that are sized in with gas check grooved bullets?

I know the pistol rounds are capable of 1500 fps but the 350 legend browning is saying their bullets boogie at 2500 fps. That's quite a bit more.

Compare to the cast I shoot out of the Taurus which is under 1000 fps. Last thing I want is the cast bullet fragment in the barrel that could lead to an obstruction and catastrophic failure.

Has anyone actually come up with a 124 grain pistol bullet load for a 350 legend? Besides browning? Any published data I am missing?

 

[Pangab]

Okay so I've educated myself a little bit more and I understand now the cast bullets can run up to 2500 FPS if powder coated.

I also figured out that it's best to use a 147 grain bullet with little gun. It looks like Browning used in extruding Stick powder for their 124 grain bullet. It makes sense that they need the fluffier powder to fill the case.

So whatever determined is that a safe load using little gun is with that 147 grain bullet. There is load data for a Hornady 147 grain using little gun. I should be good to go now I just need to order some more bullets or come across imr4227 using that as powder I can load the 124 grain.

 

[Rsadams]

You run a cast bullet fast and you will be trying to get the lead out of the barrel.... It's not a fun task... Running a coated bullet like a Berry's bullet the speed limit is only 1250 for their regular plated and I think 1500 for their thick plated bullets... Also do some checking on loading cast bullets , the data is different than metal jacketed bullets.... Normally alot less powder.... Lyman loading manual has lead data and Berry's has some info on their bullets on their website , not much though.... Berry's 9mm are .356 a normal 9mm fmj .355.... I think I would just get the bullet I needed...