Author Topic: Got me a 357!! (Read 975 times)

rmtaylor · « **on:** May 27, 2004, 05:24:00 PM »

I could not stand it anymore after watching all the posts about 357's so when I had a chance to pick up a used on I snatched it up. I got my dies, brass powder and primers now all I need is time.

My oldest is Graduating Monday and all my time the last month has been spent getting the yard and house ready for his party. He is going into the Navy. He wants to be a Seal. Ships out June 23rd so after this party we can break it in together.

I started with Starline brass, H110 powder, CCI magnum primers and Hornady 158 gr XTP bullets.

Richard

Paul5388 · « **Reply #1 on:** May 27, 2004, 05:49:36 PM »

rmtaylor,

I know you will have a great time with that .357, they're a lot of fun! I haven't gotten the 158 XTP to shoot as good as the 180, but your's may be different in what it likes.

rmtaylor · « **Reply #2 on:** May 27, 2004, 06:32:25 PM »

What king of powder are you using Paul. I just kind of picked the 110 becuase in the Hornady manual it had the widest velocity range.

Richard

vick · « **Reply #3 on:** May 27, 2004, 10:15:59 PM »

Congradulatios to your son.
You're going to love the 357. Are you considering the max conversion? I'm not very up on regular mag powdes, but I've seen loads for the max with everything from W296, RL-7, to AA 1680.

rmtaylor · « **Reply #4 on:** May 27, 2004, 10:54:05 PM »

Vick,

Thank you. I don't plan the Max conversion right now but possibly down the road.

Richard

vick · « **Reply #5 on:** May 27, 2004, 11:21:37 PM »

The 357 will still make a dern fine rifle for you. There are some great guys around here, and they're always happy to help. So i'm sure someone will pop in with the info you need.
By yhe way, you might want to check out some contender loads. I had a hard time finding anything but pistol loads until I tried that. I found that a lot of guys are getting some smoking velocities out of the mag with the longer barrel. If you do want to try something different without the rechamber you might want to check out this thread:
http://www.graybeardoutdoors.com/phpbb2/viewtopic.php?t=31030&highlight=360
Good luck, I'm sure You'll enjoy the new toy.

mag41vance · « **Reply #6 on:** May 28, 2004, 12:13:06 AM »

I'm sure you're proud of your son, as we are for choosing to serve our country in these times of uncertainty. I admire a young person with goals. That is rare these days.
God bless you and family,
vance

PS;
The most accurate load so far in my 357 from old Speer data for the 357mag rifle, is with winchester 357mag cases, 180 gr hrn xtp, over 16 gr of w296. Bullet has to be seated out to the farthest cannelure because of the full case powder. (if the throat is deep on yours).

rmtaylor · « **Reply #7 on:** May 28, 2004, 04:18:48 AM »

MagVance41,

Yes I am very proud and thank you.

I almost ordered the 360 brass instead of the 357 but I figure I will get around to it. I had read that 360 thread as it was posted. It was probably what made up my mind that I wanted one of these.

Richard

marv · « **Reply #8 on:** May 28, 2004, 05:47:35 AM »

Conguration on getting the most fun Rifle there is, :-D :-D
I was pleased with reaming to the maxie. Mine had a long enough camber
for the 360 DW I didn't about it but 10 min. work I had a 357 Max.
and I think it shoots better after work I sure you are proud of the
son, must fine young lad to go into service of our country right out of school. Marv.

handirifle · « **Reply #9 on:** May 28, 2004, 07:30:56 AM »

rm
Congrats on the 357 and even more for a fine son willing to do his part for the country. My he be continually surrounded by angels to watch over him.

My son's (twins) are in their 3rd year of college. One went right away to a 4 year school, I have partly gotten used to him being gone. The other went 2 years to a Junior college and will transfer to UCLA this fall. I miss him already as I'm sure you will yours.

Enjoy both, your son and the 357, for our time on this earth is short.

Paul5388 · « **Reply #10 on:** May 28, 2004, 05:01:57 PM »

Richard,

If you want to follow the saga of the .357 Mag I have, go to this site
http://forums.handloads.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=1061&PN=1&TPN=1
There's 14 pages on it, so it covers everything I have done, good and bad.

I am using 10.0 gr IMR 800X with the 180 gr XTP/HP in .360 DW brass right now. Shot a 5 shot group today at 2" and a 1.37" three shot group at 100 yards with that load.

I also shot a .357 load with 250 gr cast gas checks from Beartooth with 9.5 gr Lil'Gun, CCI 400 primer and no crimp into 3.5" at 100 yards. Those groups are posted on page 14 of the saga.

Got my other computer to work and I can post pictures now!

Quote

10.0 gr of Lil'Gun in the .357 with the 250 gr boolit is real close to being too much and probably needs to be backed down a little.

Here's what they look like at 100 yards and about 85 degrees.

In case you can't read the group size, it's 1.87" at 100 yards with a cast boolit.

handirifle · « **Reply #11 on:** May 28, 2004, 05:37:08 PM »

Paul
Is this a Handi rifle? Nice groups.

Paul5388 · « **Reply #12 on:** May 28, 2004, 05:49:19 PM »

Handi,

No, it's a Pardner with a .357 barrel! I bought it because it had about as good a trigger as my SB2 that has been lightened by NEF. I think that was the group where the transfer bar didn't come up three times. It makes me scratch my head and wonder what went wrong every time it happens!