.357/.38 Special Handi range report

[Paul5388]

It was nice and warm after today's rain, so when the sun came out, I decided to run a few rounds through the chrony. Sometimes flash and recoil don't count for anything toward knowing what's really going on.

I took three guns out today, the .357 Mag Handi Rifle, a Model 66-2 4" and a Model 625-4 with a 5 1/2" barrel. The Handi and the Model 66 are more or less companion guns that theoretically shoot the same rounds. The question is, what is a single good load for both guns and what kind of performance do I get for that load? The reason for including recoil numbers and Taylor KO (KO) is to give a little better idea of what to expect on both ends for terminal results. Muzzle Energy (ME) just doesn't always tell the whole story. I suppose everyone knows I shoot with the chrony at 15' and then convert those numbers to Muzzle Velocity (MV).

Here's the numbers:
.357 Mag
13.5 gr SR 4756
125 gr Sierra JHC
CCI 400
.357 Mag NEF Handi Rifle 22" barrel
2021
2013
2021
2018 fps average
2057 MV
1175 ME
4.09 ft lbs recoil
13.11 KO

.38 Special mixed brass
10.0 gr SR 4756
125 gr Golden Saber
CCI 500
Handi Rifle
1649
1728
1650
1675 fps average
1714 MV
816 ME
2.63 ft lbs recoil
10.93 KO

.38 Special Win brass
13.5 gr 2400 (basically a Keith load)
158 gr Oregon Trails Laser Cast LSWC
CCI 500
1610
1592
1595
1599 fps average
1643 MV
947 ME
4.16 ft lbs recoil
13.28 KO

Here's the targets shot with the Handi at 100 yards with 10.0 gr SR 4756, 125 gr Golden Saber and CCI 500 in .38 Special brass.

The two outside holes in the next target are from where I was running rounds through the chrony and was too lazy to change targets!

[James B]

Looks like you had a good range day. I always wanted to get a 357 barrel for my Handi. Now I guess its to late. I may find a used one running around somewhere. I did my range thing today with the 44 mag. It was up to 40 degrees here today. Tomorrow we get cold again for about a week. Back to the 20's again. I just need to shoot my new loads for accuracy now. I have a 357 Mag revlover. 4 inch Taurus.

[Paul5388]

James,

The complete report, including Model 66, is posted at this site. http://forums.handloads.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=1061&PN=1&TPN=16

I think I heard they have the .357 Mag barrels again.  You might want to check on the current status.

[Deadeye47]

Lookin good Paul...I'm hoping to get out to the range in the next two days myself ....been raining alot down here...I'm gettin cabin fever...

[jason burns]

James,
I think I heard they have the .357 Mag barrels again.  You might want to check on the current status.

I called and they said that they made a run of 100 barrels but that it was first come first serve.  I asked if I could "reserve" one with a credit card . . . the guy's response was "you and the last 40 callers!"  I guess they will go pretty fast!  Thankfully, I found a shop in Atlanta that had two from the limited edition run of 2001 with the camo laminate straight stock and got mine that way! :grin:

[v8r]

Hey Jason what shop was that ?I live near Atlanta.Did they have any other interesting calibers with the camo laminated stocks?Did they have a good selection?

[jason burns]

It was Adventure Outdoors in Smyrna.  They had one more .357 w/ camo laminate and a few .223 standard barrel models with camo laminate.  They also had one 22-250 in stainless but did not have much else.  They said that they had placed an order but did not expect much of that to arrive before May! :eek:

[James B]

I would like to find a 357 Handi. If anyone is ever checking out gunshops anywhere up in the midwest and see's one send me a PM. I have a couple five gallon buckets of 38 and 357 brass. A rifle would be a fun way to use some of it up. Thanks for the range reports.