More questions about the 357 Mag

[DalesCarpentry]

I have been reading alot about the 357 Mag barrel and in a way this is kind of a recap to see if I understand things right. My first question would be what kind of groups can you get from it at 100 yards ( if that is even realistic seeing it is a hand gun round ) Could you kill a deer at 100 yards or further with it? If I understand things right you can shoot 38's 357's and 360 DW rounds through it. you can bore it out to a 357 MAX. This is where I get a little fuzzy. The 357 MAX is not a standard caliber is it? What advantages would the 357 Max have over the 360 Dan wesson round?

[quickdtoo]

Here's a little reading for ya on the Max.

Tim

http://specialtypistols.ottllc.com/sp10.html

[Mattkc]

I've thought about reaming my barrel to the 357 Max but the load I'm using for whitetail kills so well why bother.  If I wanted to move up to 180gr. bullets maybe but 158gr. works just fine.  Now the 35 Rem. would be a interesting but my barrels only 16.5".  I load 18gr. Lil'gun with 158gr. XTP-FP and never recovered a bullet.  Used the same load this year in my 5" GP100 except with HP worked great but to much meat damage.

[Datil]

 Thanks Tim for  the write up above. You did a good deed again!
 Marv.

[quickdtoo]

You're welcome Marv!! I found it quite a while ago, and actually remembered having it in my favorites!!

Tim

[DalesCarpentry]

I really do not know how he has all these links to so many differnt things.

[hellacatcher]

357Max load 26gr of AA1680 180gr JHP Remington primer wsp. It has been awhile since I shoot this load but I belive the group was less than a in. at a hundred. Dropped 3 deer at over a hundred last year.

[tallyho]

Dale,
Coincidentally, I have just acquired a 357Max (made from a mag) barrel, and spent some time over the weekend loading for it. I haven't had a chance to shoot it yet due to various other comittments, and crummy weather, but I plan to in the next few days.

Here's a pic of the rounds I plan to try out. The bullets are simply some I had available, and the only acceptable powder I had on hand was Alliant Reloader 7. I got the recipes for the jacketed rounds from the Alliant website, under silhouette loads http://www.alliantpowder.com/reloaders/RecipeDetail.aspx?title=Silhouette%20Load&gtypeid=4&weight=180&shellid=1040&bulletid=136 , and because I was too lazy to set up my scale, I just used a Lee dipper (1.6 cc) equalling 22.0 gr Reloader 7. The are somewhat on the mild side of middle-of-the-road, but this is where I am starting. The cast bullet load is one I have used in 38 spl. and 357max brass before.



from left to right they are:
1) 158 gr RNFP lead, 2.8 gr Bullseye.
2) 180 gr Sierra flat nose metal jacket, 22 gr Rel 7
3) 180 gr Remington semi-jacket soft point, 22 gr Rel 7
4) 180 gr Hornady XTP (crimped in second groove), 22 gr Rel 7

Each recipe (other than the cast, which is 20+ rounds with small pistol) was loaded 5 rounds with small pistol (Federal) primers, and 5 rounds with W-W small rifle primers. I don't have a chrono, so I will be judging the differences (if noticable) by subjective measures only (sound, recoil, whatever) and by any apparent difference in grouping.

Watch this space (and my website www.handiholic.com) in the next few days for a report of actual performance.

Cheers
Kerry

[DalesCarpentry]

Thanks Kerry.

[tallyho]

Dale,
Coincidentally, I have just acquired a 357Max (made from a mag) barrel, and spent some time over the weekend loading for it. I haven't had a chance to shoot it yet due to various other comittments, and crummy weather, but I plan to in the next few days.

Here's a pic of the rounds I plan to try out. The bullets are simply some I had available, and the only acceptable powder I had on hand was Alliant Reloader 7. I got the recipes for the jacketed rounds from the Alliant website, under silhouette loads http://www.alliantpowder.com/reloaders/RecipeDetail.aspx?title=Silhouette%20Load&gtypeid=4&weight=180&shellid=1040&bulletid=136 , and because I was too lazy to set up my scale, I just used a Lee dipper (1.6 cc) equalling 22.0 gr Reloader 7. They are somewhat on the mild side of middle-of-the-road, but this is where I am starting. The cast bullet load is one I have used in 38 spl. and 357max brass before.



from left to right they are:
1) 158 gr RNFP lead, 2.8 gr Bullseye.
2) 180 gr Sierra flat nose metal jacket, 22 gr Rel 7
3) 180 gr Remington semi-jacket soft point, 22 gr Rel 7
4) 180 gr Hornady XTP (crimped in second groove), 22 gr Rel 7

Each recipe (other than the cast, which is 20+ rounds with small pistol) was loaded 5 rounds with small pistol (Federal) primers, and 5 rounds with W-W small rifle primers. I don't have a chrono, so I will be judging the differences (if noticable) by subjective measures only (sound, recoil, whatever) and by any apparent difference in grouping.

Watch this space (and my website www.handiholic.com) in the next few days for a report of actual performance.

Cheers
Kerry

[Badnews Bob]

I shoot 180gr LRNFP GC bullets out of mine @ 2000fps It groups right around 1 1/4" @ 100 yards, And yes it will deffinatly drop a deer at that range. I love the way that rifle handels and shoots.