Need Handload for .357 mag Freedom arms Handgun

[Mitch40]

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

[Black Jaque Janaviac]

If you're an experienced reloader.  And you've been able to get a Ruger to give 1/2 inch groups, I would trust your experience, and suspect the gun has a defect.

Check all the usual suspects with a revolver.  Cylinder lock up, throat diameters compared to bore diameter, forcing cone integrity, cylinder gap.

Then call the manufacturer.  For $1700 I would hope they stand behind their product.

Some other questions:  When you shoot a group, do you shoot the entire cylinder?  Is the group that large as a whole?  Or do you have 3 or 4 clustered together with the others flying wide?

[Graybeard]

Any time anyone tells me they are shooting groups that size at 25 yards from a bench the first thing I automatically think is shooter error. Yes I've read your comments that you can shoot 1/2" groups with your Ruger. When I read that comment I also automatically have some thing that comes to mind but I'll refrain from posting it.

I've shot handguns for fun, hunting, competition and for money for a lot of years, over 40 of them in fact. I've shot with and against some of the best in the nation. Never yet seen one that using iron sights turned in 1/2" groups at 25 yards more than every once in a blue moon. With a scope sure, not with irons.

Any FA gun that is shoot groups that size with a shooter capable of doing say 1" to 2" groups has a problem. It's not load development that's needed. Call FA and speak to Bob Baker or one of the guys in the shop. They will make it right if it indeed has a problem.

ALL FA guns are shot for groups before they leave the factory. No exceptions. They have very strict standards each must meet depending on caliber and what variety of ammo is available in factory loads. The .357 has about the widest selection of them all and I'm sure the specs on it are very tight.

Quit searching for a load and contact FA. Either the gun is fine and you're just not shooting up to par with it or the gun has a problem and needs to be fixed. If you really want to know which before returning it have someone else who you know to be an excellent handgunner shoot it also. Use any factory load or decent hand load. If they get same results the gun has a problem. If they shoot tight groups you will need to work on your shooting technique with the SA gun.

But searching for loads that will magically cure it is a wasted effort. FA guns do not need a specially tuned load to shoot tight groups. Any decent factory or hand load should be capable of 2" and under groups at 25 yards in the hands of a person who is a decent handgunner.

[Steve P]

Take your hot 357 load that uses a 158 cast bullet, exchange the bullet for a cast 180 or 200 grainer and try it.  You will be suprised.  The FA 357 likes a diet of heavy bullets.  It will take higher pressures than most published load books that are made for average 357 revolvers.  

Here is a hint:  DO NOT USE THIS INFO WITHOUT WORKING UP!!.   My load for Silhouette is 16 grains of WW296 and 210 grain cast, gas checked bullet.  I have the 10" barrel.  Brass easily extracts from the cylinder.  No signs of pressure on the WSR primers.  Yes, small rifle primers.

Ask your question on the Handgun Silhouette thread toward the top of Graybeard site here and see if you don't get similar replies.  Lots of FA 357 shooters there.  Lots use a speer 200 grain jacketed rifle bullet.

Good luck and shoot enjoy that gun.  You should be able to shoot minute of half scale chicken at 200 meters.  I have seen it done.  (that is a group about the size of the palm of your hand, with open sights.)

Steve