Author Topic: .357 max. on the SB1 frame (Read 6977 times)

brasshead · « **on:** September 20, 2009, 03:10:04 PM »

I have watched this site for a long time and I have question about the.357max . Can a SB1 frame be used without worry of to much pressure. I have my eye on .357 mag rifle and I very interested in making it a MAX. Any and all thoughts welcome,

BrianB · « **Reply #1 on:** September 20, 2009, 03:37:37 PM »

If you go through some of the older posts on here, I think you'll find where several people did just that. As much as I want to, I'm too nervous about the pressure. I opted for buying .360 Dan Wesson brass and using that in my .357 Handi. This gave me a little more ooomph , got the bullet out closer to the rifling and didn't require any reaming.

wreckhog · « **Reply #2 on:** September 20, 2009, 04:18:53 PM »

Where does one get .360 brass?

cwlongshot · « **Reply #3 on:** September 21, 2009, 12:16:07 AM »

Mine is an origional 357Maxi, built in the late 70's or 1980 IIRC. Its got a case hardened (colored) receiver, IE "shotgun" receiver. No problems for many many rounds of my loads pushing a 180SSP to 21-2200 fps.

JerryKo · « **Reply #4 on:** September 21, 2009, 05:16:28 AM »

That is good to know CW! A lot of new 357's on sb1's out there right now. I have to admitt...I was unimpressed with the book values of the maxium...but until I shot some heavy spire points out of my mag...I see the benefits.

BrianB · « **Reply #5 on:** September 21, 2009, 06:20:10 AM »

Quote from: wreckhog on September 20, 2009, 04:18:53 PM

Where does one get .360 brass?

Go to Starline Brass's website. They have a lot of brass that is somewhat hard to find. They are currently out of .360 brass, but I sent them an email last night asking about the status since I need to order more. The brass I got is excellent quality. You can obviously use standard .357 Mag/.357 Max dies to load. I'm still working on loads, but I have established that the Minimum load using 180gr. XTP's and Winchester small magnum pistol primers is 17gr. of Lil' Gun. Any less Lil' Gun and you get case mouth fouling. I'm going to do more loading this morning and shoot tomorrow. I'll try 18 and 19 grain loads to see how they work.

Like I said earlier, there does not appear to be a problem with a Max on an SB1, it just makes me a little nervous. I may do it someday.
CWlongshot has had no problems and from what I've seen, he is more familiar with them than I am.

quickdtoo · « **Reply #6 on:** September 21, 2009, 08:29:39 AM »

A few members here have rechambered their new SB1 357mags to Max with no problems, use the search to find more info on them, that question has been asked a lot since H&R started offering the SB1 357mags and fitting those barrels to SB1 frames. Just be aware that perforated primers have been a problem with some depending on the primer you choose, the larger shotgun firing pin is likely the culprit in combination with thin primer cups, CW's older M158 Topper is the same cast iron frame they used on all H&R firearms prior to 1987, shotgun and rifle which were offered in 22 Hornet, 30-30, 44mag and 45-70.

Tim

http://www.gboreloaded.com/forums/index.php?action=search

deadrabbit · « **Reply #7 on:** September 21, 2009, 12:38:41 PM »

Were the frames on the 158's stronger than the SB1's? As strong as the SB2's? I'm just curious.

revbc · « **Reply #8 on:** September 21, 2009, 12:45:24 PM »

Brasshead,

Reamed my sb1 to maxi. She handles near max loads with not a problem. Did have a little trouble with misfires, put a small spring behind the extractor to hold the brass against the receiver, works fine. I'm telling you this because I may have cut the rim groove deeper when reaming the chamber. Just go slow and get a magnifying glass if your eyes are getting tired like mine.

Bobby

quickdtoo · « **Reply #9 on:** September 21, 2009, 01:32:19 PM »

Quote from: deadrabbit on September 21, 2009, 12:38:41 PM

Were the frames on the 158's stronger than the SB1's? As strong as the SB2's? I'm just curious.

Can't tell you on the comparison to SB1 frames, but they certainly aren't comparable to an SB2 which is modern heat treated investment cast alloy steel, the SB1 as well as old H&Rs are cast iron.

Tim

mechanic · « **Reply #10 on:** September 21, 2009, 02:47:50 PM »

I've been shooting almost max loads for a while on a shotgun frame. Cured the perforated primer problem by using small rifle primers. While I'm not near maximum loads, I still get a zippy little round with little recoil and great accuracy.

I bought 360 brass from a GB sponsor and traded for some max. brass. My "deep throat" 357 requires only a few thousands trim to load max. brass. I have my best results with 180 gr. "pointy" bullets and h110 powder.

Quite frankly, I have seen no signs of any kind of problem other than perforated primers, and I was getting that on factory 357's.

deadrabbit · « **Reply #11 on:** September 21, 2009, 02:49:41 PM »

Thanks Tim

maglvr44 · « **Reply #12 on:** September 21, 2009, 03:29:38 PM »

Quote from: cwlongshot on September 21, 2009, 12:16:07 AM

Mine is an origional 357Maxi, built in the late 70's or 1980 IIRC. Its got a case hardened (colored) receiver, IE "shotgun" receiver. No problems for many many rounds of my loads pushing a 180SSP to 21-2200 fps.

Nice gun! such a shame they forgot how to make a gun worth owning.

brasshead · « **Reply #13 on:** September 21, 2009, 05:08:14 PM »

Hey mechanic so your shooting max cases out of a stanard 357 barrel with only a small amount of trimming. If thats true then that seems to the way to go at least for this deer season. What kind of load and distance are you getting? Are you referring to the 180 grain pointed pistol bullet from hornady? I have a sb2 frame I could use if the pressure is to high.

AtlLaw · « **Reply #14 on:** September 21, 2009, 05:09:22 PM »

You know, I saw one of those in a Military Surplus store here recently... $:-\$ I think I might have to go by and look at it a little closer...

Sure had pretty case colors...

brasshead · « **Reply #15 on:** September 21, 2009, 05:13:00 PM »

I have an 20gauge ultra slug gun and a 223 heavy barrel,both were built in 1996 . I pretty sure the 223 is a sb2 but not sure about the slug gun.

JerryKo · « **Reply #16 on:** September 21, 2009, 06:13:54 PM »

I tried trimming max brass but by the time it fit in my chamber it was only slightly longer than the mag brass. I just cured that tonight though. My mag is now a maxi! Cant wait to try her out!

Jerry

vdubluv · « **Reply #17 on:** September 21, 2009, 06:55:35 PM »

I have a factory 357 mag barrel that I swap sometimes between a shotgun(SB1) frame and an SB2. I use 360 DW brass in the factory chamber and have trimmed 357Max brass to 1.46 inches. Both chamber with no problems. Loads with 158JSP I've worked up safely to 2100-2200 fps with small pistol magnum primers and 2400 powder, also with compressed AA1680. I can get to 2000 with blue dot.Still need to try Lil gun. 2400 is best so far. I just love this rifle

. Those 38 wadcutters at 700 fps are fun too. You can watch them widen the first hole in the scope. Quieter than a 22. Not "maxi-ing" mine yet, that is unless someone let's me borrow a reamer

mechanic · « **Reply #18 on:** September 22, 2009, 01:05:18 AM »

Quote from: brasshead on September 21, 2009, 05:08:14 PM

Hey mechanic so your shooting max cases out of a stanard 357 barrel with only a small amount of trimming. If thats true then that seems to the way to go at least for this deer season. What kind of load and distance are you getting? Are you referring to the 180 grain pointed pistol bullet from hornady? I have a sb2 frame I could use if the pressure is to high.

I've only shot at 100. IMO this is a 100 yd. gun. I'm not running that hot, but I've found a very accurate load with H110. The bullets are "left overs" from my Dad's stuff that he shot in a 357 Herrett. They are soft point jacketed flat base. They actually weigh in at 176 grn. I have looked for some exactly like them but have not found them.

cwlongshot · « **Reply #19 on:** September 22, 2009, 01:22:53 AM »

Quote from: AtlLaw link=topic=183419.msg 1098897585#msg 1098897585 date=1253588962

You know, I saw one of those in a Military Surplus store here recently... $:-\$ I think I might have to go by and look at it a little closer... Sure had pretty case colors...

Your saying you think you ran across a factory 158 in maximum.. and you didn't snatch it right up?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?! Stick out your right hand mister!! Two good walks across the knuckles for you AND, any more such foolishness will result in more severe punishments.

Now jump on that two wheeler and head over to that place and lay down the dead presidents required and rectify this arie in judgement, straight away!!!

CW

petemi · « **Reply #20 on:** September 22, 2009, 02:15:13 AM »

I haven't a clue why the factory doesn't chamber all the .357s in Maximum and the .44 mags in Super. Both chamberings make for a much more versatile rifle. Much Better, in my opinion, than the .45/.410. It would be even nicer if they were offered in the Carbine configuration.

I agree with CW, I'd grab that factory Max if I had to mortgage the farm.

Pete

zoner · « **Reply #21 on:** September 22, 2009, 02:17:09 AM »

fyi i've been shooting my factory(unaltered) 357 magnum barrel on a case-colored 1979 topper shotgun frame for about 6 months,around 400 rds down the tube, with absolutely no problems with primers(wsp) flowing,perforating or anything else.....and i'm not recommending this to anyone else....just my 2 cents on this sb1,sb2 reciever thing for pistol cartridges based on my experience.....

AtlLaw · « **Reply #22 on:** September 22, 2009, 10:34:18 AM »

Quote from: cwlongshot on September 22, 2009, 01:22:53 AM

Your saying you think you ran across a factory 158 in maximum.. and you didn't snatch it right up?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!

NO no! It was a shotgun!

I promise I wouldn't let one like that go if I saw one! I just look stupid!

petemi · « **Reply #23 on:** September 22, 2009, 11:31:42 AM »

Well you did look stupid in your undertaker clothes, but you look much better in civvies.

Pete

cwlongshot · « **Reply #24 on:** September 22, 2009, 04:40:36 PM »

Kinda relevant... I was in Cabela's in East Hartford Connecticut tonight. I found THREE 100RND Bags of 357MAXI brass... 21$ EACH!!!!

CW

brasshead · « **Reply #25 on:** September 23, 2009, 04:39:53 AM »

How much better is the max over the 44 mag? I know its flatter shooting but does it have more knock down than a handloaded 44?

wreckhog · « **Reply #26 on:** September 23, 2009, 07:29:16 AM »

Why in the world would a retail store have bags of Max brass. For that 1 in 10,000 customer that wants it? Guess I gotta drive the 85 miles one day and check it out.

Badnews Bob · « **Reply #27 on:** September 23, 2009, 08:16:14 AM »

Quote from: brasshead on September 23, 2009, 04:39:53 AM

How much better is the max over the 44 mag? I know its flatter shooting but does it have more knock down than a handloaded 44?

It isn't better just diffrent. I like shooting the max more than the .44, The effect on critters in my experiance is the same thou, One shot one critter in the freazer. Thats all I worry about.

revbc · « **Reply #28 on:** September 23, 2009, 09:25:11 AM »

Have not got to shoot anything on the hoof with my sb1 maxi. Here's a pic of the target I killed with it.

Bobby

petemi · « **Reply #29 on:** September 24, 2009, 03:10:17 AM »

Hey wreck, I'd save the gas. I doubt CW left them there

Pete