I'm at my MAX!!!

[hoytcanon]

Well, I said I had no intention of taking my .357 Mag to Maximum... and I meant it... BUT... as it turns out, my latest (completed)stock project, which is a walnut/rosewood mannlicher, is not working out the way I intended. This was suppose to be a light compact combo gun in .357 Mag and .44 Mag, for light bush carry and on those dark, dank, suffocating swamp stands, for gnarly, old, snaggle-toothed swamp bucks... here's the problem... the comb of the stock is too high for a comfortable cheek weld with the NDS-38/FireSight combo on the .44 Mag. My idea was to scope the .357 and shoot peeps on the .44, but it now appears that the .44 will be going on another frame with a different stock... (as a side note; the Boyd's Sterling thumbhole works perfectly with this peep set-up)... So now without the ooomph of the .44 Mag available for this light carry gun... I have decided to take the .357 to maximum (don't say it Pete!)...
The reamer is on its way, and the barrel has been bobbed to 18" and crowned... the stock is finished with 7 coats of Tru-Oil and rubbed to a satin finish... I ditched the cast SB1 receiver in favor of a blued SB2 receiver... the finish on the SB1 (flat black powder coat of some kind)... looked terrible with the blued barrel, in the walnut/rosewood stock set. I had a K-Hornet in an SB2 frame that fit perfectly for the .357 Mag and .44... and the KH was in a textured flat black stock set, as luck would have it the KH fit the SB1 and looked really good with the stock set...
So now... I picked up a couple hundred max brass and 500 of the Hornady 180 SSP's... already had 1K of 158 gas checked SWC hard cast... the Nosler manual has a 158 load of 23.5 grains of H110... the Hornady manual has a 180 load of 21.6 grains LG or 21.0 grains H110 (max on all loads)... Hornady is notoriously soft on their max loads... I can always work-up from the T/C mag loads and my current heaviest Mag laods, but to save time...
What are you folks getting your best performance from in a deer load???
 

[bigvarmnt]

Sorry, can't help you with loads but I'm pretty sure nobody will show you the secret handshake until you post a picture of it. Sounds nice, I'd like to see it. Might take a season or two to use 500 bullets unless you have some big herds attacking you. Bet you will be happy with it  

[gcrank1]

 
The best layed plans of mice and men.............often turn to horse pucky.

[Dinny]

And now you will see for yourself what all the hype is truly about. Try starting those Hornady 180s with 24gr of AA1680.

Thanks, Dinny

[bigvarmnt]

I haven't been able to find 1680 in any of the shops around here in over a year. I'm going to load some Maxis soon. Going to hit all the shops one more time and then have to try a different powder. None at the gun shows either  

[YRUpunting?]

We do need a few pics.  Check out the Accurate Arms load data for AA1680 and 180sspb in the T/C, the start is around 27grs I think and the max is about 30grs if my memory is working today.  I've been running 27.2grs in mine.  I have a new Maxi and I think I'm going to see if I can get both of them closer to 28.0.  I've talked to several guys here in southern IN who have handi maxi's and they're running near 30.0grs.

If you're going to shoot the Maxi you need to read Steve's site at http://357maximum.com/.  He documents his load with  data from Accurate Arms Ballistician.

[bucco921]

I started to see pressure signs at about 28 grains AA1680 on an sb2. Semi flat primers. I backed it off to 27 and removed the cripm for best accuracy. In my gun firm crimping killed accuracy. I may get banned from GBO for saying this but I never fell in love with the round and sent the barrel to an Indiana resident who would enjoy it.

[quickdtoo]

I started to see pressure signs at about 28 grains AA1680 on an sb2. Semi flat primers. I backed it off to 27 and removed the cripm for best accuracy. In my gun firm crimping killed accuracy. I may get banned from GBO for saying this but I never fell in love with the round and sent the barrel to an Indiana resident who would enjoy it.

Heheh, +1.... I did the same, I no longer own a Maxi either, I've had two, first was rechambered to 35 Rem, second I sold to a member here that wanted and needed it more than I did. FWIW, I went up to 28gr 1680 with the 180 Speer FP, 26.5gr was the most accurate, Steve has 1680 pressure data with 200gr FTX @ 30grs.

Tim

http://357maximum.com/

http://357maximum.com/demo/wp-content/uploads/2010/10/pressure-data.pdf

[petemi]

It took ya long enough to figure it out.  I was thinking your porch light was dim or ya only had one oar in the water.  I think George is the designated handshake trainer for this month.  Anyhow, welcome aboard at long last.  I'll put together some of my better data on the Maxi and get it PMed to you....hopefully tomorrow.  I'm wrestling with a cold.....vitamin C and me.  So far the cold is down by three points.

Pete

[cwlongshot]

I also like the AA1680 and SSP 180. But have shot deer with the 180FP Speer, 180XTP, 170 GDSP and 158 FP XTP. ALL work well, Most where launched with 1680 powder and a REM SR Match primer. 2400, H110, Lil gun, 296, #9 and 4227 all work. I found RE7 is too slow, you cannot get enough in the case to make good velocity. H and IMR 4227 are also good choices for some. I got good accuracy with a 200 cast bullet and IMR4227 too.

The MAXI is a great caliber as a close in hunter. My favorite for just that!

CW

[greywolf444]

Hey I need pictures.  I'm currently planning a 357 maxi with curly maple mannlicher stock. Straight grip I think. Yours sounds lovely, too. I considered walnut but I've been storing a couple of maple blanks for about 20 years and need to use them before they spoil. I also envisioned a light, trim ,full stock, all around woods packing rifle. We will see how light it comes out but it outa be cute anyway.

[gcrank1]

To truly keep it trim are you thinking on using peep or open sights rather than scope? If so Ive found the MC butt fine for scope but too high for iron sights on mine. A cheekpiece would be sweet, say a Germanic style with sexy curves (no rollover!).

[hoytcanon]

Thanks for the info guys... I don't have 1680 powder... but use LG and H110 in a number of calibers... would like to stick with stuff I currently use if possible... which was another bonus of the Maxi, with it using small rifle primers, of which I have thousands for my KH/.223's etc... I have no other need of SP primers... interested in any other info... I will check out the link to the maxi info posted by YRU...

[hoytcanon]

To truly keep it trim are you thinking on using peep or open sights rather than scope? If so Ive found the MC butt fine for scope but too high for iron sights on mine. A cheekpiece would be sweet, say a Germanic style with sexy curves (no rollover!).

The original plan was the .357 to be scope with a low, sleek scope (Mueller Hybrid) and the .44 to use the NDS-38 with Fire Sight... I thought they would be high enough with the comb... but it turns out they are not... but it works perfectly with the Boyd's Sterling, so today, I matched the .44 Mag peep-sighted barrel with my 7.62X39 & .30/30 set... it was a perfect fit, a very cool look and is very compact Handi little rig... will get a picture posted of this one too.