Author Topic: Need help with a .357 load.  (Read 537 times)

0 Members and 1 Guest are viewing this topic.

Offline PineyCreek22

  • Trade Count: (1)
  • Avid Poster
  • **
  • Posts: 163
  • Gender: Male
Need help with a .357 load.
« on: March 16, 2013, 04:32:49 PM »
Finally got a reliable scope on my monoblock .357.  At the range I sighted it in at 25 yards getting a group of 5 rounds about 1" dia. no vert. or horiz. stringing.  Then went to 100 yards getting a group of 5 rounds about 3-1/2" dia. 6" low of POA, well dispersed.


Particulars, 18-1/2" hand lapped Green Mountain barrel, stiff straight taper target crown, 1:20 twist.  Load, (what I had on hand) standard primers, 163 gr. flat nosed cast lead bullet alox lube, mixed brass mfg., 8.7gr. Accurate #5.


I think it can do better, soooo where do I go from here.  Any help would be appreciated.


Thanks, Piney Creek
custom .357 mag monoblock, custom 30-30 Handi

Offline Dinny

  • Moderators
  • Trade Count: (268)
  • Senior Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 5524
  • Gender: Male
  • "Medics Save"
Re: Need help with a .357 load.
« Reply #1 on: March 16, 2013, 04:37:28 PM »
I think it may have something to do with the barrel's twist. Usually a barrel with that twist prefers bullets weighing 150gr or less.

Thanks, Dinny
Handi Family: 357 Max, 45 LC, 45-70, 300 BLK, 50 cal Huntsman, and 348 Win.

"If there must be trouble, let it be in my day that my child may have peace"
Thomas Paine

Offline jeepmann1948

  • GBO Supporter
  • Trade Count: (67)
  • Senior Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 1422
  • Gender: Male
  • San Angelo, Texas
Re: Need help with a .357 load.
« Reply #2 on: March 17, 2013, 01:17:52 AM »
Piney Creek,
 I have done several with the same barrel (but not as pretty as yours ;D )Stubbed into shotgun barrels. They all shoot very well with the 158 Hornady XTP bullet and a heavy charge of H110 . They also shoot the 38 spl target loads with 158 gr lead fp bullets and a mild charge of Bullseye. (my Grandkids can testify to that ;D )
Good Luck
George
"it ain't what you shoot em with......................
  it's where you hit em "

Offline gcrank1

  • Trade Count: (24)
  • Senior Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 7644
  • Gender: Male
Re: Need help with a .357 load.
« Reply #3 on: March 17, 2013, 03:29:36 AM »
How does that bullet fit into the fully fire-formed case mouth? Make sure there is no residual crimp when you try some.
"Halt while I adjust my accoutrements!"
      ><   ->
We are only temporary caretakers of the past heading toward an uncertain future
22Mag UV / 22LR  Sportster
357Mag Schuetzen Special
45-70  SS Ultra Hunter with UV cin.lam. wood
12ga. 'Ol' Ugly OverKill', Buck barrel c/w  SpeedStock  and swap 28" x Full bird barrel, 1974

Offline hoytcanon

  • If there is a season for it... I have a pot to cook it in.
  • Trade Count: (9)
  • A Real Regular
  • ****
  • Posts: 786
  • Gender: Male
  • Handi's and Henry's... a perfect partnership!
Re: Need help with a .357 load.
« Reply #4 on: March 17, 2013, 03:43:13 PM »
Remove some variables... standardize your brass for testing... what do you call "standard" primers? Also, try the 140 FTX bullets, at least in your accuracy testing phase... and another to try are the 125 XTP's... the effect of bullet length in your barrels twist rate will become apparent... H110 is my best powder, try some if it is available to you.... I just reloaded a batch of the 180 SSP's and they did pretty well at the range today... just gotta tweak the powder and COL.
Hoyt Handi's; Ultra Black .22 K-Hornet Shorty, Black Synthetic K-Hornet Shorty & Nickel .410 Combo (sons), Ultra Granite Grey .22 BR Rem, Ultra Nutmeg .223 & .30/30 Shorty Combo (sons), Ultra Forest .223/7mm-08 Shorty Combo, Ultra Forest .243/.308 Combo, Ultra Nutmeg .243/.308 Combo (sons),  Jacaranda/Cocobolo .30/30 & 7.62X39 Shorty Combo, Ultra Black/Stainless .260 Rem Stub, Ultra Black/Stainless .338 Federal Stub,  Ultra Grey .358 Win, Ultra Grey .35 Whelen, Walnut/Cocobolo Mannlicher .357 MAX, Buffalo Classic Mannlicher .44 Mag Shorties w/NDS-38 peeps (X2; Sons & mine), Ultra Grey Stainless .45/70 & .243 & 20 Gauge Combo, Buffalo Classic 26" .45/70, 9.3X74R Mannlicher, Synthetic Nickel .410 & .30/30 & Versa Pak .22 LR Shorty Combo, Ultra Forest/Cocobolo 12 Gauge 3.5" Turkey; Most scoped with DNZ or Dura Sight one-piece bases and Mueller, Hawke or Nikon scopes... several with Skinner Peeps and Williams Fire Sight ramps.

Offline tacklebury

  • GBO Supporter
  • Trade Count: (12)
  • Senior Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 3633
  • Gender: Male
  • Central Michigan
Re: Need help with a .357 load.
« Reply #5 on: March 17, 2013, 04:01:21 PM »
+1 on H110.  Book minimum load of H110 and 125gr. XTP's are very good loads.  The 158's are good and I did a few with 110's and Unique powder just to see how much the kick abated.  I did load some 180 gr. but I'm shooting a 1:15.5 twist rate barrel.  These definitely kick a little more.
Tacklebury --}>>>>>    Multi-Barrel: .223 Superlite, 7mm-08 22", .30-40 Krag M158, .357 Maximum 16-1/4 HB, .45 Colt, .45-70 22" irons, 32" .45-70 Peeps, 12 Ga. 3-1/2 w/ Chokes, .410 Smooth slugger, .45 Cal Muzzy, .50 Cal Muzzy, .58 Cal Muzzy

also classics: M903 9-shot Target .22 Revolver, 1926 .410 Single, 1915 38 S&W Break top Revolver and 7-shot H&R Trapper .22 6" bbl.


Offline cwlongshot

  • GBO Supporter
  • Trade Count: (158)
  • Senior Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 9907
  • Gender: Male
  • Shooting, Hunting, the Outdoors & ATVs
Re: Need help with a .357 load.
« Reply #6 on: March 17, 2013, 04:07:30 PM »
The load shows potential. But its ONE load... load something different.

I don't see you have a problem here. Actually I think it shows allot of promise 3 1/2'' at 100 is not aweful!

Try different powder weights, different powders, different primer even. THIS is the fun part!

CW
"Pay heed to the man who carries a single shot rifle, he likely knows how to use it."

NRA LIFE Member 
Remember... Four boxes keep us free: the soap box, the ballot box, the jury box, and the cartridge box.