Author Topic: 357 mag bullet/load recommendations for Bullberry barrel? (Read 821 times)

TC Shooter · « **on:** October 05, 2003, 03:39:01 AM »

Received my Bullberry 357 Mag "Match" 10" barrel and thus far it has not been able to equal the accuracy of my stock TC 10" 357 barrel. Have tried the 158 Hornady XTP/HP bullet which always performs well in my TC barrel , Sierra 180 Match , and have loaded up some Speer Gold Dot 158 JHP that I have not tried yet. I use 296 or H110 for my loadings as well as Winchester or CCI mag primers.

Anyone else have any recommendations as to bullet type or load that they have had good results with?

C A Plater · « **Reply #1 on:** October 05, 2003, 04:19:20 AM »

Those are the combinations I would have expected to do well. You might try the Speer 170 grain Gold Dot and LiL'Gun powder and that works well for me in my factory barrel. You won't need mag primers with that powder and perhaps a lighter bullet in the 140 range may help. They do best in my 4 inch Python. Good luck.

Graycg · « **Reply #2 on:** October 05, 2003, 05:17:37 AM »

I would check out your overall length, if you are loading to the same length as you would for your factory barrel, that could be the cause. Typically the throat and lead on a custom barrel is more precise and MUCH shorter than those in the more recent factory barrels. If your rounds are too long for your throat, your accuracy will go all to heck. I bring this up because you mentioned using the excellent but fairly long 180 grain bullets.
That would be my first test. If that doesn't work I'd recommend trying one of the 4227 powders as they often produce great accuracy, if not top velocities. Gotta admit, I'm with TC Shooter, the H110 or WW296 loads typically are my fastest and most accurate.
If you don't get what you want, either contact Fred at Bullberry and ask about his accuracy warranty or contact me to look into a trade!

regards,
Graycg

TC Shooter · « **Reply #3 on:** October 05, 2003, 06:08:36 AM »

Thanks for the replies so far. Have tried to contact Fred over at Bullberry but he never sent back a reply - fairly disappointing. May try the 140 grain bullets. If I cannot get this barrel to outshoot my factory TC barrel it will be traded off and I will not consider a Bullberry in the future.

With my factory TC 357 barrel it seems any listed combination of 296 or H110 and a 158 XTP or 158 Winchester JHP results in very good accuracy.

C A Plater · « **Reply #4 on:** October 05, 2003, 11:58:52 AM »

I assume you meant you emailed him. I'd always had good response by phone with Bullberry and they stood behind the product.

TC Shooter · « **Reply #5 on:** October 05, 2003, 02:41:49 PM »

C A Plater - yes , you are correct , I tried to contact by e-mail. If I still cannot achieve the accuracy I am after with my new loads I will try to give Fred a call next time and see what he suggests.

Graycg · « **Reply #6 on:** October 20, 2003, 08:39:28 AM »

Any joy??? Hopefully Fred got you hooked up.

regards,
Graycg

TC Shooter · « **Reply #7 on:** October 20, 2003, 03:17:34 PM »

Still have not contacted Fred. Will try a few more range sessions. Shot the Bullberry again last weekend - results still not to my liking. Again, had no problem shooting a better group with my factory TC barrel. The loads I have used were loads that are very accurate in both my TC 357 and my 357 revolver. I may just trade it off if I cannot get it to shoot to my expectations. I have tried 2 different scopes for 50 yard shooting - a Burris 7X IER and a Burris 2X-7X LER with basically the same results. Thing is , my TC factory barrel is shooting better groups with a 4X Burris!

rpj53 · « **Reply #8 on:** October 24, 2003, 03:00:43 AM »

Quote from: TC Shooter

Thanks for the replies so far. Have tried to contact Fred over at Bullberry but he never sent back a reply - fairly disappointing.

There's a big surprise!!!! :roll:

Graycg · « **Reply #9 on:** October 24, 2003, 07:37:34 AM »

TC shooter,
pm sent