Author Topic: 357 mag is poor but the 30-30 is shooting (Read 933 times)

jeff223 · « **on:** April 23, 2004, 02:10:01 PM »

i loaded up some 158gr cast bullets with a Lee dipper .7 with some Herco powder.i started out at 25yds to get the scope zeroed in close.i did that then shot a group.it was one of the nices 2.5inch groups i ever saw and just think it was at 25yds.either the load sucks or the bullets are poor or the crown is bad on the barrel.i think i will try some factory 357 ammo in it just to see how it groups.then i will go from there.

on another note,the 150 spitzer bullets are shooting just fine now out of my 30-30.i just seated them to factory length.i get around a 1 inch group with that rifle now.this is more like it.the 125 spitzers are still the better shooters out of the two.it seems my 30-30 likes that long jump to the lands.i just cant figure that one out.all the others i load for like the bullet seated close to the lands.

nightstalker · « **Reply #1 on:** April 23, 2004, 03:21:19 PM »

Try some 125 or 140 gr. jacketed HP in your .357. Mine likes them very well. It also seems that the faster I push them the better it shoots. I also like 180 gr LSWC loaded with a small charge of Bullseye. It makes a good small game round. I hope you get your .357 to peform better. I realy like mine. I just took out a feral cat that was stalking my little girls pet kitten. A 140 gr hornady EXP HP at 50 yards does wonders.

jeff223 · « **Reply #2 on:** April 23, 2004, 03:56:10 PM »

thanks nightstalker,i plan on trying something different with this 357 rifle.some jacketed bullets are next on the list.this 357 is old and i got a good deal on it along with 3 other barrels.the 357 is what i wanted out of the mess but i think the barrel is junk.i think even a bad load would shoot tighter than this at 25yds.ive had smooth bore slugguns that would out shoot this thing hands down.

Haywire Haywood · « **Reply #3 on:** April 23, 2004, 04:56:21 PM »

My 357 Max doesn't want to shoot either, I just ordered a bore lap kit from LBT to try out. When I run a tight patch down the bore it seems like the first 6" is tighter than the rest of the barrel. Maybe it's my imagination but I'm going to try the lap kit and see what happens.

Ian

Leftoverdj · « **Reply #4 on:** April 23, 2004, 05:08:45 PM »

Jeff, you always grumble and fuss and swear the barrel is junk and then settle down and get the gun shooting better than ours do. I'm used to it by now, and all ready for it to happen again.

Cast bullets are their own world and a lot different from jacketed. Try some jacketed and maybe some factory ammo. Find out how it shoots with jacketed, and when you are ready to try cast again, the cast bullet shooters on the board will walk you through it.

I ain't in the least surprised by those groups. That's a little hotter charge than I would have used starting off with plain base cast. If those bullets are a bit small, as most commercial bullets are, bad accuracy is all you're gonna get. The pistol calibers aren't likely to shoot as well as the rifle calibers, anyway, but they'll shoot a lot better than that.

jeff223 · « **Reply #5 on:** April 24, 2004, 01:56:18 AM »

thanks leftoverdj,i will keep the fath with this rifle for a while.i guess i have had some others that didnt shoot right off but this one is the worst one i have seen so far.

everyone could start calling me old B@M jeff if you know what i mean :lol:

mag41vance · « **Reply #6 on:** April 24, 2004, 12:12:00 PM »

Hey Jeff,
My 357 max only had factory loads shot in it before the rerchamber was done.
It did well with .38 spc 158gr lrn, and most jacketed rounds that were heavier than 150 grains. The best Factory load was the Winchester Supremes 180 partition Gold. They shot 2 inch groups at 100 yards before the rechamber but not after. I'm still glad the rechamber was done. That 357 max is now my favorite fun gun. It shoots .38 spc 148gr HBWC around 1 inch at 50, and .84 inches with my favorite 357 Max jacketed load. I'm still experimenting with cast and jackets and the options are plenty with the max case.
DJ is correct about the slow cast loads. Slower seems to be the ticket for accuracy with my NEF even though it is an 8 groove MICRO barrel.

I strongly suggest the rechamber while the reamer is still sharp.
RV

jeff223 · « **Reply #7 on:** April 25, 2004, 02:50:25 PM »

thanks RV for the info

i may yet rechamber to max,it has been a thought

offhand35 · « **Reply #8 on:** April 25, 2004, 03:45:51 PM »

Jeff223, I had some leftover 357 mag rounds with 158 gr LSWC over 7.3 gr of HERCO , which were fine for target shooting with my old Blackhawk, but shot VERY poorly in my 357mag H&R model 258. Some of my lighter loads with only 7.0gr of HERCO almost sounded liked squib loads or subsonics..... :?

I found a SINGLE SHOT PISTOL load in the Sierra manual for 158gr jacket hollow points or soft point jacketed over 12.5gr Blue Dot rated at 1650fps. You can also use 17.4gr of Winch. 296 for the same speed rating.
These are maximum loads.
These shoot MUCH better, and was getting 2"-3" groups at 100yds with this.
I think you will find that the faster load you can find within the pressure limits of the caliber will shoot the best! :grin:

marv · « **Reply #9 on:** May 02, 2004, 12:21:40 PM »

I got to shot my 357 Maxie this afternoon , No wind temp 75.
best group was 3 shot, 180 Rem Hp. in front of 19.5 grains H-110
at fifty yd. less than 3/4 inch, tried Seirra 170 hp. open up to 2.00 inches
My 30-30 did not do good. about inch and half at 50 yds. Marv.