Author Topic: .357 Maximum shooting .357 Magnums and .38 Specials (Read 1429 times)

petemi · « **on:** July 15, 2009, 03:51:57 AM »

Patty and I went to a very nice, informal shoot to benefit Muscular Distrophy in Lower Michigan this past weekend. Four Handis made the trip; .44 mag, .357 Max, .357 mag and .22-250. The Ruger 10/22 made the trip, but never climbed out of her case. The .357 Blackhawk got a workout. The targets were gongs, jugs of various sizes, from 25 to 275 yards, and even a small watermelon. Most of us shot offhand, or from folding camp chairs.

The .357 Max was sighted in 2 inches high at 100 yards with Max ammo. I shot .38 Specials at the 25-75 yard targets, .357 mags out to about 150 yards and the Maxs for long range. I was amazed. They all worked well. The .38s and the mags were held point blank and the Max was held over six or eight inches at 275 yards. I love that rifle.

I did most of my shooting left handed and am getting more comfortable with that. I got the .44 Mag dialed in well with her Red Dot, and all in all we had a great time. We even made an Antique Artillery Shoot at Camp Grayling Sunday morning. Their targets at 1000 yards were an open newspaper on a black 4x8 sheet of plywood. You could barely see them with the heat shimmer and they were whacking them consistently. We were impressed and looking forward to the next shoot in our area.

Oh, and yes, we raised a nice piece of change for M.D.

Pete

gomerdog · « **Reply #1 on:** July 15, 2009, 04:58:33 AM »

Sounds like you had a great day where everyone's a winner!

I have sent a receiver in to Ilion for a 357 barrel. Hope to have it before the Christmas holidays.

Dixie Dude · « **Reply #2 on:** July 15, 2009, 05:16:12 AM »

What do ballistics look like on 357 Max? Is is similar to 35 Rem?

LaOtto222 · « **Reply #3 on:** July 15, 2009, 06:16:40 AM »

Pete - I am glad to hear you had a good time for a good cause.

I do not want to hijack your thread - but you talking about how much you like the 357 Max - just gets me to thinking about how much I like mine too - so

I have been shooting some 38 Special wad cutters for back yard pests. I really am liking the versatility of this barrel. I got it originally because I wanted a 44 mag barrel, but they were out at the time. So I got the 357 barrel instead. I am sooo glad it worked out this way. I got a good 44 mag barrel later (2007), and originally I would have gotten one of the over sized 44 mag barrels. The 357 barrel has become my favorite. It is so versatile - shooting wad cutters at 770 fps all the way up to 180 grain bullets at about 1900 fps with the max case with plenty of accuracy. The wad cutters are very quiet and do not travel far. Then when you load up the 180 - 200 grain bullets they just do not have much kick to them, yet are able to take deer sized game + it is legal in Indiana for taking deer.

IMHO - I know a lot of folks have barrels made up in 32 H&R mag, 32-20, 25-20, 9mm etc. I know that there is the - I have one and you do not thing and "I just wanted one". That is all well and good and any one can certainly do that- I do not begrudge anyone their pet project. On the other hand - the 357 barrel is standard, it is relatively cheap to shoot, accurate, versatile and ammo is easy to get (38 special and 357 mag - at least as easy any other case with the exception of the 9mm. It can do anything the other cartridges can do and much more - so why not get the 357 barrel ream it to Max and use it for every thing from shooting paper to closer range varmints/predators to deer?

If you reload for the Max you can not get quite the velocity as you will out of a standard 35 Remington load with same weight bullets, unless you overload it to pressures that exceed the 357 Max standard. If you buy your ammo -again not quiet up to 35 Remington standards. Some have and do load up the Max and they get 35 Remington performance out of them. Keeping the pressures down where they should be - it will still take deer out to an honest 150 yards, maybe 200 if you push the distance a little with pointy bullets.

AtlLaw · « **Reply #4 on:** July 15, 2009, 08:40:15 AM »

Quote from: petemi on July 15, 2009, 03:51:57 AM

I love that rifle.

I like to see a happy man!

<i do not need a 357 max barrell, i do not need a 357 max barrell, i do not need a 357 max barrell... >

Quote

I did most of my shooting left handed and am getting more comfortable with that.

Left hand? Did I miss something Pete?

quickdtoo · « **Reply #5 on:** July 15, 2009, 09:01:12 AM »

Congrats Pete, glad you and Patty had fun and thanks for the great report!!

Tim

petemi · « **Reply #6 on:** July 15, 2009, 10:41:34 AM »

LaOtto, you didn't hijack the thread.....you made it better.

Richard, yes you need a max, yes you need a max, yes you need a max

Yes, I guess you missed that I have a vision problem in my right eye that looks like it may be permanent. Since seeing the target is somewhat essential, I'm teaching myself to shoot left handed. The Red Dot on the .44 mag. works great with both eyes open, but the dot's too big to shoot moa. I think in most close range hunting situations it'll be fine, especially dusk and dawn.

Tim, Thank you! I forgot to mention the Max is proudly wearing your Bushnell Banner......we both like it

Shooting the way it does, the Max just about makes the .357 mag superfluous cause it handles the shorter rounds so well. It sure fooled me.

We met a lot of really great folks and are looking forward to next summer's shoot.

Pete

AtlLaw · « **Reply #7 on:** July 15, 2009, 01:52:40 PM »

Quote from: petemi on July 15, 2009, 10:41:34 AM

I have a vision problem in my right eye that looks like it may be permanent.

Geeeze Pete! If I heard that I don't remember it...

'course I know you didn't make a big thing of it and just "man up'd" and started dealing with it like you did! Good on ya mate!

I hate still hate that it happened and pray for the best for you my friend.

Now that I'm getting back into shooting handguns and rifles with iron/receiver/tang sights I'm trying shooting with a 1X reading glass lens over my right eye, both eyes open of course, so I can see the sights. Vision problems are a be-otch!

Scibaer · « **Reply #8 on:** July 15, 2009, 02:44:39 PM »

richard,
like me, you need a .357 max
keep your eye on the watch ( as it swings slowly a foot from yer nose )
get a max, get a max ...

the more i read about the .357max the more i think it would be nice to have, a baby 45-70 sorta ...
then i need a ... and a ..

AtlLaw · « **Reply #9 on:** July 15, 2009, 02:53:45 PM »

cummon guys, I'm trying to STOP buying guns!

Scibaer · « **Reply #10 on:** July 15, 2009, 03:05:39 PM »

and you call yourself a gun-nut ? ..
no, nope, nay, nadda ....
buy, buy, buy ...

jeepmann1948 · « **Reply #11 on:** July 15, 2009, 03:41:22 PM »

Richard , who are you trying to convince us or you about buying any more guns?

AtlLaw · « **Reply #12 on:** July 15, 2009, 03:54:19 PM »

There you are Pete! See what you done to me!

dpe.ahoy · « **Reply #13 on:** July 15, 2009, 03:55:45 PM »

Awwww, come on Richard. I finally did the dirty deed and reamed all 3 of my mag barrels to the Max.

You know us guys wouldn't ever lead you astray

, and Patti won't care. Fact ya might hafta get 2 and give her one.

The darn things are just as good as Pete, CW and the rest of the guys have said,

and I swear, it really is as easy as everyone said it is to ream you own self! Took longer to set up and clean up than it did to ream all 3 barrels. Patti wants you to have one, really.

DP

AtlLaw · « **Reply #14 on:** July 15, 2009, 04:04:17 PM »

Quiet DP! Pete doesn't even know Patty knows me!

Anyway, Kathie doesn't see things the same as she does...

Say! why don't you just give me one of yours!

dpe.ahoy · « **Reply #15 on:** July 15, 2009, 04:13:58 PM »

Gonna have to wash my feet more often if I keep sticking em in my mouth!

CRS is at it again,

Ifen you was closer, you could barrow one fer sure.

Course, bein a Lawyer and all, you would probley try ta talk me inta lettin ya keep it.

And I apoligize to the girls fer mixin up the matrimony.

DP

petemi · « **Reply #16 on:** July 16, 2009, 12:55:54 AM »

Dpe, he musta sneaked up here on his scooter when I wasn't lookin.........oh no!! She went ta South Carolina on "Business" a little while back . That aint far on a Harley:o

Seriously, you ought to give him one of yours. I can shoot both of mine one in each hand, but you can't shoot 3 at a time.......or can ya?

Pete

AtlLaw · « **Reply #17 on:** July 16, 2009, 01:48:30 AM »

Quote from: petemi on July 16, 2009, 12:55:54 AM

you can't shoot 3 at a time.......or can ya?

If he can all I can say is, WHAT A MAN!!

dpe.ahoy · « **Reply #18 on:** July 16, 2009, 10:58:02 AM »

DP

udtjim · « **Reply #19 on:** July 16, 2009, 02:02:31 PM »

I am ashamed, I have had mine for two years and have not fired a round through it yet.

cwlongshot · « **Reply #20 on:** July 16, 2009, 03:46:29 PM »

Quote from: AtlLaw on July 15, 2009, 02:53:45 PM

cummon guys, I'm trying to STOP buying guns!

Richard,
Now you can just stow that kinda talk right now!! This is a family forum and we have a handihaulics reputation to uphold here. Jees-um crows man, I quiver and quake at the thought of what would come of us if someone figured out a way to qure this handi haulics thing we all have. I cannot even think of STOPPING BUYING handis... Heck, the world could stop spinning and we could all fall off!!!
If I didn't KNOW you would love it so much, I would send you down my barrel so you could experience the splendor and awe that comes with shooting a 357maxi!! Thats just shooting one, it gets even better when you actually OWN one!!!

Come on now, keep your eyes open and you'll have one too!! Its truly something you will NEVER REGRET owning!!

CW

mechanic · « **Reply #21 on:** July 16, 2009, 03:56:27 PM »

Note to Richard:

357Max357Max357Max357Max357Max357Max357Max357Max357Max

Datil · « **Reply #22 on:** July 16, 2009, 03:58:35 PM »

udtjim See what fun you are missing not shooting that 357 I hope it is a Maxie.
Datil

AtlLaw · « **Reply #23 on:** July 16, 2009, 06:19:31 PM »

okokokokokokokOK!

Maybe just ONE more barrel...

I can always fit it to my 45-70/.410 group to have a nice 3 barrel set... $:-\$ But you know I just got a dedicated receiver for my 45-120, and I know if I got a 357 barrel I couldn't stand it not having it's own action...

Dinny · « **Reply #24 on:** July 16, 2009, 09:46:18 PM »

I've been trying to convince my parents to get their .357 reamed to Max. They're kinda tight with money right now(recent surgery and unemployment) and have the "if it ain't broke" mentality. I handload everything for them so they don't have to buy ammo. If it weren't for me giving my mother the .357 Handi as a gift, she wouldn't hunt at all. They live in IN and before all she could comfortably fire was a .410 and she let many nice deer pass by at 40+yards. Anyone have a reamer I can rent? My Dad is/was an industrial engineer with a background in auto and marine mechanics, I know he could do the work. I too have the fever. It won't be long though, I'll have one all for myself.

Thanks, Dinny

AtlLaw · « **Reply #25 on:** July 17, 2009, 01:49:34 AM »

Who started this thread anyway!?

Oh yah... thanks Pete!

udtjim · « **Reply #26 on:** July 17, 2009, 09:16:27 AM »

Yeah Mine is the Max. I really need to get to shooting it before deer season this year.

Datil · « **Reply #27 on:** July 17, 2009, 11:28:07 AM »

That's right udtjim , get to shoting the Maxie! You'll learn it knock deer on the ground
Quick as a flash. Good shooting. Marv.

cwlongshot · « **Reply #28 on:** July 17, 2009, 01:53:45 PM »

Quote from: Datil on July 17, 2009, 11:28:07 AM

That's right udtjim , get to shoting the Maxie! You'll learn it knock deer on the ground
Quick as a flash. Good shooting. Marv.

Your spot on Marv!! The maxi sure lays'em lo!!!

CW

Datil · « **Reply #29 on:** July 17, 2009, 04:32:21 PM »

CW, the 357 maxie will take a calf killing Mexican buzzardout of a sweet gum tree
at about 125 yds one shot, one dead buzzard on the ground. broke him of the habit
of killing ol' marv's baby calf. Marv.