Author Topic: Please help me!! I'm sick. (Read 1240 times)

goofyoldfart · « **on:** February 17, 2012, 07:47:15 PM »

well, it just started out as one little old 30-30 with synthetic stocks. 'twer a gudd 'un too. had a lot of fun shooting it and it liked 170 gr. boolits--them J kind , if you know what I mean. Now you guys have gotten me all hung up on getting my casting back into action. I have several .30,.31., 32, 44 and 45 moulds to use on my rifles and pistols. It sort of got me to thinking on using a single shot rifle on deer this year. OOPS, I don't have the pistol caliber in a rifle to shoot as this is Indiana. what am I to do?

well, I could use my 45 long colt in my Ruger RedHawk or use my Taurus .44 spl with 4"bbl., BUT I want to shoot a rifle. this disease is addictive!!!!! I did the only thing I could-- I bought a 357maggie in a synthetic handi rifle and now I'm waiting for it to be delivered to my favorite toy store. I figured that if one synthetic shot so good, well maybe another would also. If I find the wood that I really want, then I'll do stock and forearm in some really nice Walnut with figure.

Now the real question that arises from all this Blarney is ------------in a 22 inch barrel, what would be the best boolit(NO CONDOMS IN THIS RIFLE) , heavy for caliber, and what powder to match it with to achieve about 1400--1700 FPS. I do have some ideas of my own inasmuch as I have been hunting big game (above rabbit and squirrel) for about 55 years. I just want to hear from some of the more experienced personages on here as to what their thoughts on the subject are. Bring them on guys and gals. God bless to all.

Goofyoldfart <AKA GOF, Godfrey and Goofy>

LedLobber · « **Reply #1 on:** February 17, 2012, 09:11:51 PM »

So, gotta ask the Million Dollar Question..... Are you leaving it be at .357 Magnum, or are you gonna get her reamed to. 357 Maximum? Congrats on the new addition, by the way.

geezer56 · « **Reply #2 on:** February 18, 2012, 12:06:16 AM »

My 357 Max loves a 190 grain flat nose cast bullet from a custom mold that was a part of a group buy on castboolits web site. It was a bit of a struggle finding the load it liked. Bullet length is critical with the twist rate in Handi's. You will find that a FP with a lalrge meplat will give the shortest length for the most weight. There are some commercial bullet casters that make the heavier ones you want if you just want some to try. Keep diameter as large as possible, mine likes them at 360 or 361. That's as big as they can be and still chamber. Don't worry about crimp grooves, seat em out til they touch the lands. Good luck, the casting addiction is about as expensive as the handiholic problem!

Land_Owner · « **Reply #3 on:** February 18, 2012, 12:51:25 AM »

Got mine in 357 Mag (synthetic) as a companion to my stainless Ruger SP101. I have loaded 180 grain LBT mould gas checks with very good accuracy (velocity as yet unknown) made by 45-70.gov, who would sell you a few dozen for your own trials. I reload for my rifle/pistol combination calibers that will shoot either way. No matter how hard I try, there is always a slight probability that I will screw up and not label the ammo box, or grab the wrong box, and blow up the hand gun (and my hand) shooting a hot load meant for the Handi-. Also, the Handi- eats plain based cast WC's and SWC's with ease and is a delight to shoot. I prefer it, and the Buffalo Classic in 45 Colt for off-hand plinking. An old metal multi-drawer tool box in bright red from one of the first and oldest of the "Big Box" catalog stores recently met its demise to these two rifles. I hated that tool box. It used to come apart periodically and dump its contents. No longer. It is now a "Waffle House" for Field Mice. Dang that felt good!!!

parson48 · « **Reply #4 on:** February 18, 2012, 02:15:24 AM »

Land_Owner,

Another Hoosier here.

I'm getting good accuracy with the Lee 158 SWC gas checked. I'm shooting 'em n a maxi at near maximum velocity. Using wheel weights my molds drops them at around 163 grains or so, with the check and lube they're close to 170.

I'm sizing to .359. I added a strip of aluminum tape to mold blocks to enlarge as cast diameter. Process is referred to as "beagling" on another casting site.

Shoots good with no leading. I'm happy with them.

bikerbeans · « **Reply #5 on:** February 18, 2012, 02:19:03 AM »

GOF,

Do a search for Steve's 357 Maximum webpage and then read it completely before you start reloading. Steve is an Indiana boy as well and has done extensive load workup and deer hunting with the 357 Maxi. I think after you do this you will put your name on the list for the 357 Max Reamer.

BB

LedLobber · « **Reply #6 on:** February 18, 2012, 02:40:01 PM »

I believe this is Steve's website that BikerBeans is referring too :

http://357maximum.com/

GREAT INFO on this site.

cjrjck · « **Reply #7 on:** February 18, 2012, 02:48:22 PM »

I second the LBT mould suggestion.

goofyoldfart · « **Reply #8 on:** February 18, 2012, 04:57:17 PM »

Thank you, one and all, for your suggestions. first of all I want to shoot this weapon (when it comes into the Toy Store) as a 357 Maggie first and see how it handles the Maggie and 38 Spl. Then, most likely, I'll ream it to a 357 Maxi. But first, I want to try and work up a heavy for caliber load in the Maggie. also a good load in 38 Spl. due to the fact that I have almost 5000 38 spl. cases. then work up Maxi loads. I'll have to purchase some Maxi brass which I believe will be the hardest thing to find. I have powder and primers, just no Maxi cases. I'm thinking along the lines of starting out with 180--200 grain WFN from LBT. tailored to my throat and lead. probably will also paper patch for this girl. but the big thing is to listen to suggestions from Y'all and when the girl gets here, to do a chamber cast w/throat leade and rifling. Any and all suggestions are appreciated and WELCOME. God Bless to Y'all and yours.

Goofy <aka GOF and Godfrey>

ETA: even if I don't find Maxi cases before Indiana Hunting for Deer season, I can still wallop one of the critters with good stalking and a heavy for caliber 357 magnum. O'yea, O'yea..........

ETAA: BB--thanks for the website, I bookmarked it and will check it out thoroughl. Thank you, also LedLobber.

revbc · « **Reply #9 on:** February 18, 2012, 07:10:40 PM »

Mine is a maxi, and she likes this combination. That's a 187- 190 gr. Ranch Dog cast.

goofyoldfart · « **Reply #10 on:** February 22, 2012, 08:42:27 AM »

well, my toy store seems to have changed it's hours. they are only open to the public on Friday and Saturday's and the rest of the weekdays by appointment. Geeeshh, champing at the bit waiting to get the girl and do a chamber, throat and leade cast in order to find out the numbers so as to make boolits. Oh, well, just like sex, the expectation is 75% of the fun. As per the above post, I want to work up some heavy for caliber 38's and 357's before I do a ream job to Maxie. Just like Rvbc, I sort of like the synthetic stocks. Though, if I find some really good figure in walnut grain, I would be sorely tempted to dress her up pretty like. but I do have to admit that carrying a synthetic stock is much lighter than wood. At my old age I may just have to forgo pretty for functional light weight.

I just have to be patient and quit slobbering on the keyboard until she gets here. God Bless to all and yours and thanks for the advice.

Goofy.

ETA: ooops, I believe that it was LandOwner that has the synthetic stock, so sorry.

ratdog · « **Reply #11 on:** February 24, 2012, 01:00:42 AM »

rev that's a nice group

rdlange · « **Reply #12 on:** February 24, 2012, 09:23:40 AM »

I reamed my first 357 to Maxi almost immediately. But I'm keeping my second as mag. for awhile. So I'm interested in this too.

I really like MD Smith's pages for load data, which pretty much is equiv. to my books but easier when I online.

http://www.reloadammo.com/357loads.htm

I'll be trying some 158gr HPs in the mag. because I have them; w/2400 or 4227 because I have that. Should be able to get at least one good load.

goofyoldfart · « **Reply #13 on:** March 03, 2012, 08:39:01 AM »

well, I found out why the store wasn't open for a couple of weeks. someone tried to break in by using a truck and driving through the back of the building. It didn't work but sure did mess the back wall up. so they had to fix it before they could open back up. several of the loyal customers are pulling on-site security during the repairs. Heh Heh. Fort Knox doesn't have that good of security!!!!! two or three locked and loaded and just waiting for the bad guys. God help them if they try again. GOOD News though, I called Patti (owners wife) this Friday (2nd) and she said it had just came in about five minutes before I called. WHOOPPPIEE!! Rushed down and did the finish paper work and brought my baby girl home.

It's an SB1 frame with a SB2 barrel (it looks like a bull barrel, haven't miked it yet.) Boy does it lock up tight. took the forearm off and tried the lock up and it's like a bank vault. No wiggle without the forearm and really tight with. So, now I have to burn some lead and make bullets. thought about starting out with 158gr. lead , paper patched. anyone have some good starting loads for 38spl. and 357mag. I want to shoot it as a magie first and then maybe ream out to a maxie. just depends on finding maxie brass BEFORE I ream. I'm sort of OLD FASHIONED like that. I want to find the accuracy of the magie load and the 38 spl. loads before i commit to a Maxie. All advice sincerely appreciated. Bring 'em on. God Bless to all and theirs.

Goofy

ETA : Grammer changes and forgot to mention that I paid 257.00 for weapon and transfer fees. I personally think that I received a pretty good deal. My opinion, that's all. Have to go help a friend do some drywall in their house so will be off line for about 6 hours--unless he wants to play ucer , then it'll be a little longer.

demented · « **Reply #14 on:** March 03, 2012, 01:39:46 PM »

In a regular .357 using H-110 and a 180 Partition, I'm getting close to 1300. This load does a swell job for deer we have around here.

goofyoldfart · « **Reply #15 on:** March 03, 2012, 08:06:23 PM »

Demented : I wonder how that load would be using cast and/or paper patch at that weight ? I sorta really want to keep this girl as a PP/cast lady. God Bless to you and yours.

Goofy

goofyoldfart · « **Reply #16 on:** March 31, 2012, 08:35:21 PM »

well, I was going through some of my reloading boxes ( I hadn't opened them since I moved 6 years ago due to work) and found several thousand primers (Lord, You do look after me

) 2 K of Large Rifle and the same amount in Large Pistol. Now my real question is ------ which should I use for shooting in the Handi-rifle

This one Guys and Gals is an issue I would surely appreciate advice on. Thanks for your patience and advice. God Bless to all and theirs.

Goofy

jeepmann1948 · « **Reply #17 on:** April 01, 2012, 12:53:31 AM »

Just use them all!

bikerbeans · « **Reply #18 on:** April 01, 2012, 01:59:10 AM »

GOF,

For the 44mag, 444M, 44 Bodeen, 45-70 & 45-120, I only use Large Pistol primers. This is a quick fix to the deep rim cut these calibers tend to have. Also, I am not loading any of these rounds at >40K psi so I don't have a pierced primer problem. I routinely shoot 300+ grain 44 & 45 cal. bullets at well over 2,000 fps with pistol primers and have never had a primer failure. I am using CCI mag pistol primers (old stock) and winchester LP standard/mag primers. I also load the bullets into the rifling to keep the casehead againist the breechface and although the large pistol primers are shorter than the large rifle primers the pistol primers are so much easier to detonate that the deeper primer pocket isn't an issue.

I would NOT use a pistol primer in a bottleneck CF rifle case.

Good luck and congrats on your find!

BB

Quote from: goofyoldfart on March 31, 2012, 08:35:21 PM

well, I was going through some of my reloading boxes ( I hadn't opened them since I moved 6 years ago due to work) and found several thousand primers (Lord, You do look after me ) 2 K of Large Rifle and the same amount in Large Pistol. Now my real question is ------ which should I use for shooting in the Handi-rifle This one Guys and Gals is an issue I would surely appreciate advice on. Thanks for your patience and advice. God Bless to all and theirs.

Goofy

LAB55 · « **Reply #19 on:** April 01, 2012, 02:40:22 AM »

Might be a little tough getting those large primers in those 357 cases. Small pistol or rifle work well.