Author Topic: help!Could throw my F.A And get a better group!!! (Read 1172 times)

Mitch40 · « **on:** September 24, 2005, 07:51:15 PM »

Hello all. I just bought a new FA. mod 83 .357 6in premier grade. The thing is i cant come up with a hand load that this gun will shoot. Im talking 4&5 in groups at 25 yards!!Some even worse. My Rugers will shoot 1/2 in groups at this range.Now ive been handloading all my life and cant come up with a good load for this gun.For $1,70000 you would think it would shoot better then this !ive tryed cast bullets and jacketed still the same. Dose anyone have a 158 gr handload that will shoot in this gun? Thanks all

Dusty Miller · « **Reply #1 on:** September 24, 2005, 08:57:17 PM »

Return it to them with some targets you shot from a bench and ask'm to give it good going over to see if they can see the problem. I'll bet they find the answer.

ratgunner · « **Reply #2 on:** September 25, 2005, 09:52:36 AM »

Not trying te be a wise guy but if you have Rugers shooting .5" groups why spend 1700.00 on a new FA?

Redhawk1 · « **Reply #3 on:** September 25, 2005, 12:49:32 PM »

Quote from: Dusty Miller

Return it to them with some targets you shot from a bench and ask'm to give it good going over to see if they can see the problem. I'll bet they find the answer.

Very good idea Dusty Miller.

Mitch40 · « **Reply #4 on:** September 25, 2005, 11:07:10 PM »

Why did i buy a 1700.00 dollar gun if i got a ruger that shoots .5 groups at 25 yards. Well put it this way. Can you ever really have to many guns?And i just always wonted a Freedom Arms handgun. :wink:

Mitch40 · « **Reply #5 on:** September 25, 2005, 11:13:57 PM »

If anyones got a .357 FA 6in and got a good 158 gr handload thats shooting good in ther gun ide like to try it before i send it back. Thanks all

RCL · « **Reply #6 on:** September 25, 2005, 11:29:11 PM »

Try some heavier bullets, something in the 170-180 grain range. My brother had one of these several years ago, and I seem to recall he was starting to see some progress when he went to this range of bullet.

palgeno · « **Reply #7 on:** September 26, 2005, 02:58:14 AM »

I only know of one person with an FA in .357 and it is a model 83 used for silhouette----very accurate----I think he uses a 180 gr cast bullet. I have a .454 m83 and a 22lr m97 both are highly accurate and the m83 I sold was, too---and 3 buddies have m83 .454's with same accuracy. I'd send the gun back! :eek: pg

palgeno · « **Reply #8 on:** October 05, 2005, 04:28:11 AM »

One further thought--- of the two model 83's in .454 I have had, neither would shoot cast bullets worth beans unless the bullets have gas checked bases--- that was with H110 at nearly max loads. Plain base bullets just did not work for me---and those were 270 gr Thunderheads. Maybe a different powder and lighter load would have worked---but I use a 44 mag when I want to go lighter. Hornaday XTP's shoot very well in the .454's---have you tried those in your .357? :grin: pg