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Author Topic: 357 Handi and Hodgen Clay powder  (Read 373 times)

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357 Handi and Hodgen Clay powder
« on: March 08, 2010, 04:42:53 AM »
I am still 'working' on my Handi in 357 Mag.  She just won't tune.  I call it Minute of Target accuracy - so far.

I have been through 158 gr. Sellers and Beloit, Hornady LEVERevolution, Remington, and a few handloads without success.

Yesterday was 185 gr. cast FWC lead over Hodgen Clay and 158 gr. "Hunters Supply" SWC lead over the same powder.  The 185 gr. bullets were "sweeter" but still not good for groups of ten rounds.  I can cover the 10 x 185 gr. holes with one outstretched hand.  The 10 x 158 gr. holes were not all on the paper.

I like shooting that rifle and want it tuned to kill hogs.  It would be nice to find one combination that is tight in the Handi at 100 yards and also loads well in my Ruger SP101. 

The Clay powder shot OK from the Ruger.  There is just not a lot of space taken up by 4.0 grains of flake powder in a 357 Mag case.

Maybe changing primers would help...
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Offline wreckhog

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Re: 357 Handi and Hodgen Clay powder
« Reply #1 on: March 08, 2010, 05:02:27 AM »
What is the range? Are they keyholing? If the best you can do with a variety of factory and handloads, cast and jacketed, is what sounds like an 8" group, you can shoot without a forend, but from a rest, clean it, polish the bore, use bigger cast bullets, or send it back. Personally, if it would not shoot factory Remington jacketed well, I'd send it back.
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Offline yukondog

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Re: 357 Handi and Hodgen Clay powder
« Reply #2 on: March 08, 2010, 06:38:32 AM »
I got the best groups with 158 and 180 xtp's and H-110 in mine,and in mine primers did make a big dif., dont give up.
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Offline gcrank1

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Re: 357 Handi and Hodgen Clay powder
« Reply #3 on: March 08, 2010, 08:09:56 AM »
+1 on 'if it wont shoot factory, send it back'.
If you dont want to return it, try as large a dia. cast bullet that will fit the fully fire-formed case mouth and still chamber/extract OK.
My guess is the bullets you tried were undersize to the bore/groove (must be at least grv.dia. to not gas cut). Often as cast dia., not sized down in a lubersizer will do this and shoot much better.
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Re: 357 Handi and Hodgen Clay powder
« Reply #4 on: March 08, 2010, 09:27:34 AM »
range:  100 yds
no keyholing
bullets were a gift from a friend
cases, powder, and primers were mine.

I don't want to take it back.  bought it from the friend that gave me the bullets.  All of his Handi's shoot minute of angle or better.

I think I am struggling with components that are not well suited to one another.  I will try IMR 700X powder next, because it is what I have on hand.

I am all out of 185 gr. cast bullets.  I need to drive to Jacksonville to see 45-70, who has not posted here is a while...hmmmmmm.  Hope he is OK.
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