.357 Max

[shind444]

A little help please. Want to do a Handi in .357 max. Do I start with a magnum and ream for the added length, or is there a barrel ( accessory or otherwise ), that I can obtain. I believe that I can purchase brass on the internet, and obtain loading info with a search or from one of my fellow shooters out there. What can I expect this cartridge to do for Whitetail @ mabe 125 - 150 yds. How much drop will I see @ 150 yds, if I zero @ 100 yds. I am a committed rifle shooter, that goes to the range at least a couple of times a week, all year round. These single shot rifles are addictive. My .308 survivor shoots 1" even with the factory trigger. Thanks up front.

Steve

[Jimbo47]

I've got my .357 Mag and I'm waiting to get through the holidays and I'm going to rent the reamer from 4D.

It's basically a do-it-yourself operation, and fairly easy from what I've read and from those who commented.

I'm in the process of collecting reloading gear, and components to load up the max cartridges.

I also like the thought of a close range deer rifle with little to no recoil, and a big thump at the opposite end of the bullet trajectory, namely for hogs and deer out to about 125 yards, and from what I've read that is more than doable with the max.

Plus you have the option of still firing 38 spec. and mag, and max sort of a three in one rifle.

Here is where you rent the reamer.
http://www.4-dproducts.com/display.php?group=Pistol+Calibers

[cwlongshot]

I just copy pasted your post here and answered your questions one at a time. Hope its not too confusing...

A little help please. Want to do a Handi in .357 max. Do I start with a magnum and ream for the added length, (YES)
 
Is there a barrel (accessory or otherwise), that I can obtain. (Only from a previous owner as this caliber hasn't been offered in some time.)
 
I believe that I can purchase brass on the internet, and obtain loading info with a search or from one of my fellow shooters out there. (YES. Brass is readily available although there are rumors not for ever. Data is still in print in all manuals I know of as well as a couple ON-line sites.)
 
What can I expect this cartridge to do for Whitetail @ maybe 125 - 150 yds. (Put your bullets in the "pump station" and you'll have venison all year long.)

How much drop will I see @ 150 yds, if I zero @ 100 yds. (I haven't checked, but generally site about 1/2 - 3/4 High and don't worry. Shots where I hunt VERY rarely go 150yards.)

I am a committed rifle shooter, that goes to the range at least a couple of times a week, all year round. These single shot rifles are addictive. My .308 survivor shoots 1" even with the factory trigger. Thanks up front.

The Maxi is my all time favorite handi, I'm sure you will grow to love yours just as much!!

MERRY CHRISTMAS,
 CW

[Graycg]

With judicious handloading, you can pretty much  replicate the 35 remington factory loads, using carbide dies and shoot 38's or 357's to boot.  I have contender pistol and carbine barrels for the max, If I could only have on caliber in my contenders, it would be the max.  If you can find the old 180 grain pointed hornady single shot pistol bullets, you will be in hog heaven. I also love using my 180 grain LBT hard cast gas check bullets, they are killers too!
    Max will easily kill deer and hogs with any reasonable shot placement.  Max brass is out there, probably not on the shelves of your local hardware store though. H110, Lil' gun and AA1680 are good powders to start with-Always use rifle primers with the max, not pistol unless you are keeping the pressures very low.  I also have a load that is the equivilent of a 38-55 or 45-70 using the max....basically an old 38 extra long, 200 grain cast bullet at 1300 fps...fun target round for schutezen type work.  Max is fun!

regards,
 Graycg

[quickdtoo]

The Hornady 180gr SSP is still available. 

Tim

http://www.midwayusa.com/eproductpage.exe/showproduct?saleitemid=556754

[Jimbo47]

Thanks for that info on that single shot pistol bullet!

First I've heard of that, and it is exactly what I want to load for hogs and deer, otherwise the XTP, so this was the first I'd heard of it.

I know, where the heck you been?   Gotta love this place!

[Rustyinfla]

   Can you actually drive that spire point 180 grain bullet fast enough to get it to expand?

[R.W.Dale]

   Can you actually drive that spire point 180 grain bullet fast enough to get it to expand?

You can when it's a Hornady Single Shot Pistol bullet

[sooter]

I shoot remingtons 180 gr. soft point pistol bullet in my 357 max and out to 150 yards, it will punch a golf ball size hole through a 150 pound deer. I did it twice this season.

[Datil]

 You will be MUCH happier with the maxie, I was and most everybody will
 admit it also! Midway and Mid S iuth has Brass at a good price.
 Datil

[quickdtoo]

Here's some 35 Remington bullet performance data including the 180gr SSP.

Tim

http://www.suitorsgarage.com/gunstuff/35remington/35rempart2b.html

[Badnews Bob]

My max shoot so well and performs so well on deer that if I had to get rid of every thing else the max would stay. I shoot 180 hardcast LBT style bullets at 2000 FPS, Knocks deer silly. I got lucky this week and picked up a Ruger blackhawk .357 Max 7 1/2 inch barrell now my rifle has a friend to hunt with.

[Rustyinfla]

  Ummm, well duh, Ok that's what SSP stands for... Single Shot Pistol. Why didn't I think of that?

[cwlongshot]

Can you actually drive that spire point 180 grain bullet fast enough to get it to expand?

 You betcha!!!    I actually find that its coming apart on bones from my load of 1680 powder!!!! (No exit!!) I have since switched to the 180 Speer FP or the 170 Gold Dot SP. But the SSP's do shoot mighty nice!!

CW

EDIT; FWIW we are talking about the 180 SSP Bullet not a regb 180SP 358 bullet. It stands for Single Shot Pistol Bullet. So its designed for the lower velocities of rifle calibers in pistols. Something the 357Maxi actually can surpass!!  (I didnt know if you knew the SSP part, opoligies if you did.)

[shind444]

Thank you all. Sounds like a winner to me. Should be a good winter project that I can put to use for the next several months, till October 09 hunting season begins in the Adirondacks.

Steve