357 Herrett Handi

[trotterlg]

I just finished cutting a .357 Herrett chamber in a .357 Handi barrel and shortning it to 17 inches.  This could be just about the ultimate carbine length rifle for the states that require a pistol cartridge rifle for primitive hunting.  It is dead easy to do, just put in a 30-30 ejector/extractor and move the front site back some.  I will post some pictures, it is a very nice setup.  Larry

[Graybeard]

The way the regs read in most states requiring pistol caliber cartridges I doubt the Herrett would qualify as most require straight wall cases not bottle necked rounds. I do like the Herrett in the 10" barrels it was designed for but the .35 Remington is my choice in rifles.

[skifastchad]

In addition to straight wall cases, I thought 1.625 inches was the maximum case length for pistol caliber rifles.

This leaves the .445, 357max, and 500s&w as the longest cases you can use.

[quickdtoo]

The .357 Herrett is too long for the 1.625" max Indiana pistol reg at 1.750", they don't require straight walled cases, one member on another forum has an Indiana DNR approved .35cal wildcat based on a shortened and necked down Win shortmag case.

Tim

http://ammoguide.com/?catid=177

http://www.in.gov/dnr/files/fw-Deer_Hunting_Equipment.pdf

[cwlongshot]

Larry,
 Do your self a favor and do your homework. Read all available information for this caliber. (Ref. Bob Milek and Steve Herrett) I found the caliber quite infuriating...I was about to go for a wild-cat .357 on a 444/45/70 case. My plan was use a case with a larger case diameter. This would give me a more substantial shoulder to head-space off. When a good friend turned me on to the .357 Maximum. As it turned out, I only gave up a bit in velocity and as it was a hunting gun for whitetails, it didn't much matter. In pure frustration, I HAPPILY switched gears to the 357Maxi. ( I realize your in it too far allong for this now.)

  We all know there is but one degree of dead. As long as you classify stone and door nail as the same thing.

 I experienced mostly miss fire problems. These where actually head-space issues. I tried adjusting my die's so it HS off the rim instead of the shoulder. I tried different primers. I was ULTRA careful to not move the shoulder... The only rounds that always worked where the fire-forming loads. These where made so the bullet was seated to engage the rifling, negating HS issues. Nothing worked consistently!! The other problem was violent recoil. I didn't find it a problem, but having scope mount screws sheared off sure told me otherwise!! I upped the screws to #8's and then I epoxied the base on cured that problem.

I wish you luck!!

CW

[eskimo36]

Maybe it is just something different for a fellow that has a 357 mag and a 357 max.....

[trotterlg]

Funny, My Herrett reamer has a rim and uses shortened 30-30 brass.  No head space issues with a rimmed case no matter what your sizing die is set for.  Larry

[LaOtto222]

I have never owned one of the Herrett's either the 30 or 35. I have had considerable intrest in them Since I first started to reload and had a Contender (still have it). I did a little reading on the subject. What I read was they advised head spacing on the shoulder, not the rim. They advised this because case life would be shortened considerably. They went to considerable lengths to describle how to set the dies so that there is a slight snap to shut it. Since it is not a walk in the park to make Herrett cases, and you had to be so careful about head space, I have not made a gun into one or have I bought one. To make matters worse, the shoulder on the 35 is not very big. I have considered it still; it seems to be a very nice light cartridge, suitable for deer sized game and light enough to be a plinker with pistol bullets, and it does have a rim even if you do not use it only to eject it. And then there is the I have one and you don't factor. If it does not work out you can always make it a 35 Remington. Good Luck to you Larry, I hope it works out well for you.

[Ditchdigger]

I had a few misfire's with CCI primers,but I've never had a misfire with the Rem. primers. Its a necksize only situation with the Herrets.If I back off to 28 grs. of H4227 I get 2250 fps.with the 158 gr.XTP's and when I'm at my best,3/4" groups at 100. If I load the max load of 30 grs. of H4227 it go's 2350 fps. through the chrono.and opens up to 1 1/4" at 100 yds. This is with a super 14 barrel on my contender. To make the brass,I pick up whats on the range,and run it through my chop saw,then size and trim it to the proper lenght.I also use nearly max loads to fire form the brass,and hunt with it while doing so. The Handi should really shine in this caliber.   Digger

[trotterlg]

One thing I have noticed while doing chambers for rimmed cartridges i a Handi is the rim thickness is never as thick as the SAAMI drawings show.  If a chamber is cut to the rim depth of the drawings there will be about .008 or more headspace, so I just run the reamer in until the rim is about .002 below the breach end and life is good.  We will hear how this works out, but it sure looks like a fine little cartridge for a Handi.  Larry

[Ditchdigger]

If you've got a good barrel,the Herret should be very accurate in the Handi.Like I stated above,mine will shoot 3/4 "just about every time I shoot it(if I'm shooting it regular) with just a 2 pr. scope. Recoil should not be a issue in the rifle. Mine has recoil about the same as a 44 mag at max loads. I've taken coyotes at 150 yds with it and the 140 gr. hollowpoints,and he was really smacked good with it.  Have some fun with it Also try some IMR 4227 with it.    Digger