357 max. Help!!

[Makerr]

Hello, I need some advive/help on how to get started on a 357 max rifle. I have h&r 357 mag rifle already and was going to have someone I know ream it out for me. Sounded simple enough. Then I got to researching and found that my 357 is built on an sb1 frame and is not recommended to shoot the 357 max due to the higher pressure. Now I'm not sure what to do, any suggestions?

[Smokin Joe]

Use reduced loads

[kingj]

I have a 1996 reamed to max. and have shot many standard pressure loads through it. I use 25grains of RL7 with a 180 grain Hornady SSP.

[quickdtoo]

Usually works fine as long as you use small rifle primers with thicker cups, pistol primers and SR primers with thin cups may result in primer flow if it has a large shotgun firing pin.

Tim

http://www.jamescalhoon.com/primers_and_pressure.php

[OSOK]

My Max is a Talo Trapper on the SB1 frame. I shoot near max loads of H110 and the Hornady 180 gr. SSP in it. No problems. Just stick with the SR primers like Quick said.

[Makerr]

Thanks for the replies, I'm a newbe to all this and need all the advice I can get. So what loads would be considered safe with my setup. I don't plan on hot rodding any loads I just want an efficient hunting load for deer. I just purchased a lee turret press. What dies will work for loading the 357 max. Thanks

[yukondog]

First thing welcome to the sight from N.W.FL., mine is on a SB-2 frame but just keep your loads mid rang and watch for high press. signs and work from there. What loads are you planing on using? Does it have the lg. or small fireing pin hole?

[YRUpunting?]

Spend some time in the FAQ, lots of info.  You won't have any problems on the SB1 frame, just stay within SAAMI specs.  I like AA1680 in my Maxi and the Hornady 180 SSPB.  Watch Midsouth Shooters supply for deals on blem 180 SSPB's.  And check out Steve's 357 Maximum site, he covers about everything especially developing a load.  You are going to really like it as a deer rifle.

Right now brass is easy to find, buy more than you think you will need now.  Remington may or may not do an annual run of 357 Max brass so brass may be hard to find in the future.  Brass was hard to find a year ago.

http://357maximum.com/

[Makerr]

Thanks, fellows for all your advice.

[gcrank1]

+1 on the brass issue, for this cal. and especially any 'oddball' cal. (and primers too); it will only get more expensive and less available over time so its is probably not a bad (I hesitate to use the word, but....) investment.

[8uck5nort]

I used the reamer from this forum and did it myself. My first time to use a reamer and did ok. Just go slow and take your time. I have mine on the factory SB1 frame and have shot it using H110 and the Hornady 180 gr SSP bullets with no problems. Assuming your handloading just work your loads up like you would for any other new caliber. Start low and work up in increments checking for pressure signs. It is one of my favorite rifles. I even dressed mine up a bit with a different stock.
I use the Lee 38 spl, 357 mag dies and just set the bullet seater out as far as I could. I did have to drill out the center of the bullet seat stem/cup thingy to not crush the lead tips on the SSP bullets. Works fine.