New Talo .357

[LilHog]

Hello everyone, 1st time poster here. I just ordered a H&R Talo 357 and would like to get your opinions on this rifle, and what I can expect. It's a Davidson's exclusive with the 18" barrel item # 72370. I have a 20 ga topper jr classic that I absolutely love and thought I would explore their other rifles in different calibers. I've never shot a 357 rifle so I really don't know what to expect, most of my shooting is plinking and target stuff. I don't really hunt but it's not out of the question. So how far can this rifle shoot accurately and what kind of a stopper is it? Also what ammo should I be looking for that shoots reliably out of this rifle?

[reclusej]

Welcome to the site. This is the best informational site known to man kind.
You will find all kinds of help here. I have a .357 and I really love it. Cheap to shoot.
White box ammo from Wal-mart works just fine. So far I got 2" groups at 100yds
but I'm looking to improve that with reloads. Good luck with yours.
                                                           reclusej

[briannmilewis]

I have only shot a Marlin 357...oooo so much fun....nice and accurate with factory ammo.

Here is a modified list of targets from shooting/hunting writer Chuck Hawks. www.chuckhawks.com

Max range about 150 yards. At 100 yards or less you will be able to knock over all of the below critters with a 180g HP at a MV of 1550fps. Shot placement is most important.

Small Varmints & Predators (CXP1)
Ground Hog & Feral Cat (12 lbs)
Opossum, Bobcat & Fox (15 lbs)
Raccoon (18 lbs)
Western Coyote, Dingo & Wild Dog (25 lbs)
Eastern Coyote (45 lbs)

Small Game (CXP1)
Javelina (30 lbs)

Medium Game (CXP2)
Spanish Goat, Hog Deer & Antelope (90 lbs)
Feral Hog (125 lbs)
Whitetail, Blacktail & Fallow Deer (150 lbs)
Sheep (175 lbs)
Mountain & Feral Goat (190 lbs)
Mule Deer (200 lbs)
Caribou (240 lbs)

A 357 is way up there on my list of fun guns to buy.

P.S. There are a bunch of guys here that will tell you to rechamber to a 357 Max for even more range and versatility. With the rechamber, you can not only still shoot 38sp and 357 mag with the original accuracy, all of the above critters can be knocked over at 150 yards, no problem.

[mnh2obuff]

I just got one of those Tlo .357s also and love it so far. With a shotgun scope, I was able to get about 2" groupings at 100 yds also, but with my reloads. Something to work on and improve. The trigger is very stiff, but hopefully it will work in. When cleaning, I did notice a rough ring just after the chamber and before the rifling. Does yours have the same?

[reclusej]

I believe that ring is the transition from chamber to barrel (rifling). I have that also
but it is smooth.     
                 reclusej

[Awf Hand]

I love the .357 rifle.  A few years ago before the kids were born, I'd practice my off hand shooting with it.  I'd done a lot of Schuetzen and didn't want to put more wear on my falling block as it's no longer in production and would require that pieces be manufactured if they broke. -That and I could use contained cartridges and load them up on the Dillon quickly.
I was able to get a good deal on 158gr JHP's at about 17$ for a 500 count box and shot nearly 5000 of them.  When the supply of those dried up, I started using the 'plated' round nose bullets in the same weight.  Looking at remaining inventory, I'd guess I probably used about 2000 of those.  Lately, I've not been shooting nearly as much, but the bullet of choice has been a H&G cast wadcutter.  It took a fair bit of work but using Hodgdon's Universal gave me a nickle-size group at 50 yards.  The WC's don't work as well at 100 yards and tend to fly out to 2-3".  50 yards is plenty far for off hand practice anyway.  A body spends less time walking back and forth to place targets.  Best of luck with your new .357.

[LilHog]

Thanks for all the replies and the wealth of information you all have provided. It seems like I made a good choice in purchasing this rifle chambered in the .357 round, now I just have to wait until it arrives. It will give me a chance to research and find some ammo so I will be ready. I have many scopes and rings from previous rifles just waiting to be used, but I think shooting with the irons first will be the best and it's what I prefer most. I noticed Davidsons also has the Talo chambered in .44 mag in stock, if the .357 works out fine this might be my next purchase. Thanks everyone for your help.

[quickdtoo]

The 45-70 was also made in the Talo Trapper model,  only it comes on an SB2 rifle frame instead of the cast iron SB1 frame which limits other accessory barrels being fitted to it to shotgun only. 

Tim

[kng]

I shot a few rounds through my Talo 357 over the weekend for the first time.  I was only set-up about 25 yards, but it was very accurate and I didnt' even have to adjust the iron sights. 

As with any firearem, shoot different rounds to see what your gun likes the best.  The 38s are fun to shoot.  The 357 is also, with a little more sound report.

My 6 year old daughter shot it once or twice, but I really needed to put a youth stock on it first.  There is virtually no kick with either round.  I'm not sure that will be the case with my Talo 45-70!

[LilHog]

Well Davidsons ships very fast! I ordered the talo 357 on Sunday afternoon and it was in my FFL's hands Tuesday afternoon...WOW! Now I just have to get over there and pick it up...

[LilHog]

Picked up the 357 from my FFL yesterday and cleaned it all up and took it to the range this morning. The only ammo I had was .38's so I shot them up, 50 rounds and the rifle is very accurate. At 100 yards I was hitting bowling pins with the stock iron sights and they seem to be set for 100 yards from the factory. Needless to say I was very impressed and happy with this gun, I just need to find some bulk .357's and  build up a supply and start reloading. The best part was while I was at the FFL picking up the 357, they had a Talo 44mag in the new gun rack.
Well one thing led to another and I just couldn't resist and brought them both home with me. Haven't shot the 44 yet, but next weekend I will.

[gcrank1]

Sounds like youre the lucky dog!
Maybe get a rear peep and improve it even more (though you may also have to replace the front sight with a taller one.