357 Max vs Herrett

[clodbuster]

the benefit of your experience is urgently needed!  My grip/frame is ser. # 365xxx, the barrel it came with is 10" bull in 357 Max.  I plan to use it for deer hunting for the first time. Two questions-- 1. what are some proven loads for 100 yd shots?  2.  How much could be gained by switching to 357 Herrett in 10 or 14 inch tube?

[Gregory]

I just loaded up some 357 Max this morning: R-P brass, Rem 7 1/2 bench rest small rifle primer, 180 gr Horn XTP bullet, and 20 gr W296 powder.  Used this load to fill my antlerless tag last season.  I get a bit over 1600 fps from this load out of my 10" TC.

[drichi]

I have had very good results with hornady 180 xtp bullet and hodgdon little gun powder. dave

[Gavinator]

It's too close to the season to switch calibers. The learning curve of a bottle neck case in the Contender can be steep, and the Herrett takes extra time for case forming, trimming.
 Both Herrett calibers can give much personal satisfaction when mastered, and will expand your knowledge in many areas, from annealing brass before you form the first case to doing your own trigger job, talent that stays with you.
 In the 357 Max I have been using Nosler 158gr HP, Federal 205 primers, and Reloader 7 in a 14" bbl..

[Jim S]

I have both in 10" barrles and like both. I feel the 357H has more pop than the 357Max and so does the chronograph  and my right hand in the same bullet weight. I use 22.5/H4227 /150 Rem SP for 2000+/- and that load aslo works reasonably well with a 158 sierra soft point . The 150 remington load is more accurate but the sierra bullet will shoot about 3" at 100 yards and that is as good as most lever action rifles shoot and a lot of deer have been collected with them. I use my 357 max for a woods gun and feel very comfortable that it will kill deer cleanly at 100yards and less, shooter doing their part. I also want to work with 25.0/H110/150 Rem --supposed to do 2200 or so out of a 10" 357 max. That load will pretty much match the velocity I get out of the 10" Herrett . That will be interesting ! I have shot several things with the 357 Herrett and it performed verry well on game up through hogs of 250#'s or so.
Besides the 357 max 150 load looks kinda cool , long and lean!

[skb2706]

.357 Max with either a Hornady 180 gr.  SP SSP or a hardcast 185 gr. Beartooth Bullet ahead of a near max load of AA 1680 will deal on just about any deer.

[clodbuster]

Thanks Guys!  I have most of the components mentioned but primarily have used Horn 158 over ww296. and getting good velocity but would like more in the accuracy department.  We'll give your suggestions a shot I do love a good gun I mean pun. thanks again!!!!!!

[haroldclark]

I have read your comments on the 357 Maxi over the last couple of days.  I has whetted my appetite once again for the Maximum.  I had one and traded it off last year.  It was deadly accurate with 200 grain cast bullets, like the RCBS 200 and the Saeco 200 grainers.  The recoil got a bit much for my wrist.

However, I am presently drooling over a 24" barrel in 357 Maxi.

I used 17 grains of IMR 4227 behind the 200 grain bullets.  It would shoot 1 inch groups mostly at 100 meters.

Harold Clark

[Lone Star]

The Herrett is significantly more powerful than the Maxi.  From Accurate data in 14" barrels:

.357 Maximum  - 180 SP @ 1968 fps - 1549 fpe
.357 Herrett -  180 SP @ 2210 fps - 1953 fpe

The Maxi is loaded to higher chamber pressures but that does not close the gap.  The Herrett has more boiler room and that's what makes it more potent.The difference is slightly less in 10" barrels but the Herrett still comes out on top.  But the Maxi is easier to load (no case forming) and has less recoil.

For deer-sized game I'd recommend using a tougher bullet than the 158HPs designed for .357 Magnum velocities.  At closer ranges they tend to come apart too easily in the larger cases.  They work, but there are better bullets.  Still, I agree that it is too late to switch this year, use that Maxi and place your bullets carefully.

[skb2706]

haroldclark - mine is a carbine length barrel that is tons of fun to shoot. Makes a great little rifle and its very accurate out to 100 plus yds.

[skb2706]

Last time I had mine out we took it with us to shoot pds. Anytime the varmint rifles got too warm we would break out the max and bust off a couple. Once you got the trajectory right you could make hits quite well out to 150 yds..... 185 gr. hardcast bullet punches thru a pd like butter.

[skb2706]

chris - Mine is a VVCG that I bought in a group purchase that I got involved in on another forum. My barrel is for a Contender 21" full bull stainless steel. I was very undecided when I first agreed to get in on the deal and actually changed my mind three times. After I got the .357 max and started playing with it I was very impressed, easy to load for, will shoot anything from .38 special type loads to the fullboat max loads alternately which makes it great for my 11 year old son to learn to shoot well and if I ever want more it is a great platform for a rechamber. For a Contender I really like 21-22" barrel as it makes for a well balanced rifle if the buttstock is made to fit. All of my stock sets are from Bullberry/Woodsmith as the factory stocks positioned my head too low to correctly use a scope.
I have had factory and Fox Ridge custom shop barrels before and for the most part they have worked very well. But the quality of finish and workmanship, particularly the carbine barrels was never all that great....so I have purchased a few from VVCG and BB....and although they are considerably more expensive I have been very happy with all of them.

[Bullseye]

Hey cknight98

Last barrel list I got from ED a few weeks ago had a new custom shop 357 max barrel, 23 or 24" I think on it.

No excuses now, get on the phone.