.357 Herrett re-chamber

[dave29]

I did a search on here, and there were extensive results, but it didn't seem as if anyone posted after doing the re-chamber.

Anyway, I find myself with 3- H&R's in .357 max and 1 Encore in .357 Max.

I really like the .35 caliber rounds, and I'm thinking I don't really need 4- .357 Maxies. 

I want something new to play with, and I like Wildcat rounds, and I also live in Indiana. The 2012 hunting season may extend our max case length to 1.8". So, I figured, why not kill 2 birds with one stone?

I'll just re-chamber one of my Maxie's to the .357 Herrett and trim the brass as needed. This will give me something to play around with and hunt with.

The barrel that I am going to use for it is 22", I think I will cut it down to 18".

What kind of accuracy are you guys that did the re-chamber getting?

I'm also thinking about just buying a reamer to do this (instead of renting one), unless someone on here has one that they would rent or sell. 

I'm pretty sure I will need a 30-06 extractor.

Am I gaining much over the Maxie other than 200-300 fps?

Any insight?

[Dinny]

I know the feeling of wanting something different to tinker with....but one would have a hard time arguing with these guys; LaOtto, CW and Quickdtoo. Especially when it comes to some of the Herrett's past complications/failures.

http://www.gboreloaded.com/forums/index.php?topic=123602.0

"Even though it is a rimmed cartridge and the parent .30-30 Winchester does headspace on the rim, the .357 Herrett headspaces on the shoulder, not the rim. It is important that the case be formed so that the shoulder supports it on the very first firing the fire-forming load). If the case is allowed to headspace on the rim, it will result in the case stretching ahead of the web.

This is usually noticeable as a bright ring or even a crack on the case just ahead of the web. In extreme cases or if the case is used again, separation will often result. This can damage both the gun and the shooter."

Factory brass appears expensive and hard to come by. Kinda like the 445 brass.

http://www.midwayusa.com/viewProduct/default.aspx?productNumber=970636

http://www.glocktalk.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1218110


It's pretty hard to improve upon perfection, especially .357 Maxi perfection. 

I say wait to see the range report coming from "you know who" regarding lighter bullets in the .357 Maxi. You may want to go with a custom Maxi barrel with a 1:20" twist.


Thanks, Dinny

[quickdtoo]

If you want the most return for you money, go with the 35 Rem, the old saying, about there's no replacement for displacement is a fact here, the 35 Rem is displacement king of the three, 357Max= 32.7gr water, 357 Herrett = 40.8gr water and 35 Rem = 50.8gr water. On an SB2 frame the 35 Rem is the winner, trimming cases to 1.8" would make it legal, just seat the bullets shallower which will work fine in a single shot. Super 35 Rem loads will push the 180gr SSP 2450fps in a 22" barrel, been there, done it. 

Tim

http://ammoguide.com/cgi-bin/aicompare.cgi?sn=LDUjEKGloe&loadset=57&xxglbl=1

[Bayway]

Sounds like a winner to me. Yes, the 357 Herrett was designed to perform at its best in barrels from 10 to 14 inches, a classic Contender round for sure. However, it will perform quite well in carbine rifles too. Be prepared to hear everything from "the 357 Max can do it almost as good but with a lot less trouble" to "why not just get a 35 Remington which can do it better and much easier?" But if it is something you really want to do, don't be discouraged. Thousands and thousands of shooters before you went down that road with great success. Here is a good article on the 357 Herrett: http://www.handgunhunt.com/tech/t11/index.html 

Good shooting!

[cwlongshot]

I was drawn to the Herrett too. I had one in a Contender but gave it up quick when I bought my first 357 maxi barrel!!!

Its unique and different I read that. But for all the trouble and troubles making it work, I would just go with a 35 Remington and load it to super....   

CW

[rockrat]

You could also think about the 356 Win (not a wildcat, but uncommon) or a 35/30-30.

[dave29]

Thanks for all of the info so far guys.

I did an extensive Google search too.

It seems like most guys either love them, or hate them.

I'm still on the fence, but I think I may give this a try, if I can find a reamer. Midway don't have any, I guess I may just rent one if I have too.  I'm just worried about getting hit up with extra charges for no real reason (I have heard some bad stories from guys getting charged extra from reamer companies).

[Dinny]

Did you ask the other "Dave" to see what he thought? He might just have a reamer too??


Thanks, Dinny

[trotterlg]

I have a 357 Harrett reamer, I've shipped it all over the world and it has always produced happy people.  It is sitting on my desk now.  Larry

[eskimo36]

My Herrett is great that Larry did..... I highly recommend it.

[dave29]

My Herrett is great that Larry did..... I highly recommend it.

Nice looking shorty!

What length did you cut the barrel?

Did you post a range report?

Thanks.

[dave29]

Did you ask the other "Dave" to see what he thought? He might just have a reamer too??


Thanks, Dinny

No, I never even thought about it

[eskimo36]

My Herrett is 16.5".  I have never posted a range report but it will shoot about 2" at 50 yds with open sights shooting 180gr JHP Hornady, IMR4198 28.9gr, CCI-250 primers, R-P cases, OAL 2.06".  Velocity for this load is 1850 out of a 10" barrel but I have not shot it out of this gun over a chrono. This makes a potent little package....

[kaveman]

Eskimo sweet shorty is that a parkerized finish on the barrel and what sights did you use? Thanks
                                                Kaveman

[dave29]

Welp, I'm gonna do it.

Thanks to two members here! 

One located me a set of dies on the cheap and the other is doing the ream job for me. 

[eskimo36]

Factory sights from the older 357 barrel and it is a parkerized finish by trotterlg.

One other thing.... there are thousands of rounds of loaded 357 Herrett ammo on benches around the country that can be bought for cheap for components.

[knight0334]

.35 Greevy Express..

I think you can make brass from 45-70's.   ...which are easily available.

[dave29]

That is a neat looking cartridge. But has a case length that is way too long for what I need per the OP.

.35 Greevy Express..

I think you can make brass from 45-70's.   ...which are easily available.

[knight0334]

That is a neat looking cartridge. But has a case length that is way too long for what I need per the OP.

Cut the brass down as needed and neck it to .357" bullets.    You could be the father of a new wildcat..  ...the .357 Dave29 Express.

[Dinny]

Dave,
  I'm told that tack-driving Apex rifle in .357 Max will eventually get reamed to .357 Herrett.


Thanks, Dinny

[dave29]

That is a neat looking cartridge. But has a case length that is way too long for what I need per the OP.

Cut the brass down as needed and neck it to .357" bullets.    You could be the father of a new wildcat..  ...the .357 Dave29 Express.

There you go! I like your thinking.

[dave29]

Dave,
  I'm told that tack-driving Apex rifle in .357 Max will eventually get reamed to .357 Herrett.


Thanks, Dinny

Really? I need to check that out.

[Dinny]

Really? I need to check that out.

He told me that last night. He says he will get another 200+fps from the Herrett. That is if someone doesn't roger-up the $1000 first.


Thanks, Dinny

[dave29]

Really? I need to check that out.

He told me that last night. He says he will get another 200+fps from the Herrett. That is if someone doesn't roger-up the $1000 first.


Thanks, Dinny

Won't be me.