Author Topic: Where are all the 357 max guys? (Read 1292 times)

mag41vance · « **on:** March 29, 2004, 12:53:52 AM »

I Tested 21 grns 296 with remingtom SRprimers.
5 shots at 50yds were 2 inches.
I'll try 19 grains of 296 this week, and see if that tightens it up.
I haven't seen much help in the load developemnet in the NEF .357 max conversion that a bunch of us did. I'd like to see some other 357 max rifle test besides what ole RV the rookie is doing.
I do appreciate the good advice I've been given by DJ, Hobie,Jeff223, and others.
How many 357max conversions were done on the NEF?
RV

BIGBOREFAN · « **Reply #1 on:** March 29, 2004, 01:36:04 AM »

I done two. One NEF and a Rossi. The NEF is shooting around 5/8 to 3/4 at 50 yards. 20 grains H110 and 180 XTP HP. I actually think it will do better because a did not have it reallt benched. I get some more time and I'll be shooting it a lot more.

BBF

marv · « **Reply #2 on:** March 29, 2004, 01:50:56 AM »

R.V. I just have not had time, Been busy other stuff, and I got to
many toys in the last year or so. Plus working on my 219 Zipper.
Got it down to 1 inch group 5 shot. Wearther looks better now,
maybe I can do good things with the Maxie. Keep us posted on yours
Looks like you are getting good groups Marv.

Leftoverdj · « **Reply #3 on:** March 29, 2004, 03:22:50 AM »

We did about ten conversions this go round. Still have one fellow waiting on a barrel.

I'm waiting on the group buy mould for my next round of load development. Might put in a little effort into the most accurate possible cast bullet load for the postal match. Since most of what I do is done with surplus powders and cast bullets not available to most folks, I only post on this when I have something I'm really tickled about.

Haywire Haywood · « **Reply #4 on:** March 29, 2004, 03:47:44 AM »

I just got finished with getting mine scoped like I wanted and am in on the mold buy DJ is referring to. I'll be shooting it today if the weather holds but they are saying 80% chance of rain.

Ian

22KHornet · « **Reply #5 on:** March 29, 2004, 05:24:42 AM »

Hey DJ I went ahead and sent my handi in for a new barrel and would like to get on the list for the reamer. Not sure when I will get it back

probably not for 8 weeks anyway :? .

Mag 41 I what bullet are you using? I started out with that exact same load for my contender using a 180grn xtp and it worked well. I have started using the hodgens lil gun powder and like it better. Not sure about the max but it list a lower pressure for my KHornet.

Haywire Haywood · « **Reply #6 on:** March 29, 2004, 03:36:02 PM »

I shot some 145gr Winchester silvertips over W296, 158gr LFP over W231 (Magnum brass) and a 200gr LRN that DJ sent me a few weeks ago over WC680. The 200gr boolits were the better shooters hands down. I was feelin fairly bad about my rifle till I shot the 200s.. I can't wait to try out the 180 mold that DJ and I are waiting on.

DJ, did those 200s come from Dan's mold?

Ian

Leftoverdj · « **Reply #7 on:** March 29, 2004, 04:03:47 PM »

Nope, those bullets are from Lyman 358315. They are actually over 200 grains, as much as 212 with some alloy batches. The group buy started moving, and I decided to put off ordering a mould from Dan. If truth be told, I could probably get along fine with just that mould. It's that little devil that keeps whispering that I could do better that keeps me buying moulds.

I use WC 680 with those bullets, too, and it moves them right along with decent accuracy. My experience is that the Max likes bullets in the 180-200 grain range. I have not had a lot of success with lighter bullets.

I was playing today with 148 WCs and 150 SWCs in the Max case and they would not shoot as well as they do in .38 Special cases. My rifle seems to take that long jump to the throat better than it does extra air in the case.

Badnews Bob · « **Reply #8 on:** March 29, 2004, 06:13:32 PM »

Shootin my Max of course. I've been working on it alot, worked my trigger and got it a little to lite, pulls about 1.4lbs. It may be ok I need to shoot it more. This critter seems to like heavier bullets Its shooting some sub 1" groups at 100 yards and 1/2 to 3/4 at fifty yards and thats before the trigger work. I've also had some really good luck with a plinker load of 158gr LRNFP outta a LEE mold, DJ has the same mold, thease are shooting 1 to1.5" at fifty allday with 5.1grs of titegroup. fun to shoot and no recoil.

I've also started putting time into my .357 Magnum barrel useing DW .360 brass. They look real promising It will chamber the 200gr Jacketed round nose .35 REM bullets from Sierra I got 1950FPS with them useing H110,Wasn't trying hard to group but they went inside of 2" at 25yrs.
More on this round later.

mag41vance · « **Reply #9 on:** March 30, 2004, 12:35:53 AM »

Quote from: Badnews Bob

Shootin my Max of course. I've been working on it alot, worked my trigger and got it a little to lite, pulls about 1.4lbs. It may be ok I need to shoot it more. This critter seems to like heavier bullets Its shooting some sub 1" groups at 100 yards and 1/2 to 3/4 at fifty yards and thats before the trigger work. I've also had some really good luck with a plinker load of 158gr LRNFP outta a LEE mold, DJ has the same mold, thease are shooting 1 to1.5" at fifty allday with 5.1grs of titegroup. fun to shoot and no recoil.

I've also started putting time into my .357 Magnum barrel useing DW .360 brass. They look real promising It will chamber the 200gr Jacketed round nose .35 REM bullets from Sierra I got 1950FPS with them useing H110,Wasn't trying hard to group but they went inside of 2" at 25yrs.
More on this round later.

Well Bob, I suppose I'm going to have to come over there to Kentucky, to pilfer through your notes to find out what those 1" loads are. Or are you going to tell us after you've cleaned our clocks in the postal match? :wink:

My Papaw use to sell moonshine to the Mayor of Jenkins KY (or was it the Sheriff) back in the 50's. We're from Pound VA.

RV

Badnews Bob · « **Reply #10 on:** March 30, 2004, 06:20:23 AM »

Hey RV I've got some pictures and load data to post as soon as I get the time to learn how to get the pictures from one place to the other. I've been useing Hodgedons load info alot and most of my best loads have come from there useing 180gr GC LRNFP slugs.

I have a warm spot for VA I spent over 20 years there Of course I had help in deciding where I lived but Tidewater was home for a long time and I have good friends all over the state, I threatend DJ to stop by and pick his brain, I think It would be worth the drive to see what he knows.

Later

mag41vance · « **Reply #11 on:** March 30, 2004, 06:35:32 AM »

Quote from: Badnews Bob

Hey RV I've got some pictures and load data to post as soon as I get the time to learn how to get the pictures from one place to the other. I've been useing Hodgedons load info alot and most of my best loads have come from there useing 180gr GC LRNFP slugs.

I have a warm spot for VA I spent over 20 years there Of course I had help in deciding where I lived but Tidewater was home for a long time and I have good friends all over the state, I threatend DJ to stop by and pick his brain, I think It would be worth the drive to see what he knows.

Later

A visit with dj would be good for any and all firearms geeks. I believe he has one of everything anyone could possibly need for loading or shooting. He was the one that really helped me get my rear in gear and get started reloading. I live about 20 minutes from him and that is like having a firearms encyclopedia at your disposal. Let me know if I can help you with posting your pic's.
RV

wcgliss · « **Reply #12 on:** March 30, 2004, 02:36:40 PM »

Hey Big Bore Fan, how did the Rossi conversion go? I have one I am considering chambering in357 Max.

mag41vance · « **Reply #13 on:** March 30, 2004, 03:28:17 PM »

So far 296 is not showing much. 21grns shows pressure, 19 spreads out the group to about 4inches at 50. Perhaps a different bullet, cause the 180 xtp just hasn't been as good as I'd hoped. So far the H4227 at 19.3 grains is the most consistent.
The 150 gr rcbs swc over 13 gr H4227 has the best accuracy, .88 @ 50.
the tests go on....... RV

BIGBOREFAN · « **Reply #14 on:** March 31, 2004, 05:00:31 AM »

wcgliss the conversion went really smoth no problem at all. Seems like it is going to be just as accurate as the NEF. Need to get some time to bench both and see.

BBF

338 · « **Reply #15 on:** April 02, 2004, 08:43:33 AM »

Hi fellas

Its been awhile since I chimed in. I have had zero time to do any rifle shooting within the last coulpe of months. Thats why I have no new data to report on my 357 MAX loads. I recently moved into a apartment with the fiance so I can't just go out my back door and shoot anymore. Heck, I can't even have any firearms in the apartment. Anyway, I've been doing alot of hunting/work at my friends pheasant farm lately and just haven't had time to play with the rifles. Summer is approaching fast and that will all change.

Later, John

BIGBOREFAN · « **Reply #16 on:** April 02, 2004, 09:43:44 AM »

Hey 338, welcome back

BBF

Haywire Haywood · « **Reply #17 on:** April 02, 2004, 10:14:58 AM »

Quote from: 338

Hi fellas
Heck, I can't even have any firearms in the apartment.

Lawdy Lawdy, why the heck not?

Ian

Leftoverdj · « **Reply #18 on:** April 02, 2004, 12:15:26 PM »

Here's the data since it's a bit hard to read. All groups used Remington brass and WWSP primers. Top two groups used 23.0 grains WC-680. Top Group used Remington 180 grain bullets. Second hole is slightly oval and it's my guess that's where the unaccounted for bullet went. Second group used 180 XTPs. Third group was four shots of my homecast 200+ and 21.0 grains WC-680. (As you can see, it ain't working as well as I would like.)

My lot of WC 680 is slow from what little chrongraphing I got in before the rain started so be very careful if you try to use the data.

mag41vance · « **Reply #19 on:** April 02, 2004, 01:48:52 PM »

That Remington group looks pretty good. Any of those look like a deer round.
What brand name powder does the wc 680 resemble? Is it close to the H4227?
vANCe

Leftoverdj · « **Reply #20 on:** April 02, 2004, 01:59:56 PM »

Accurate Arms 1680 is the canister version. It's a bit slower than 4227, more like 4198. The Remington and the XTP loads are so close that I would have to do a good bit of shooting to be sure if one is better than the other. The measured difference is only about .10 and with a single five shot group each that's meaningless.