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Author Topic: my new .357 Handi deer rifle  (Read 2177 times)

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Offline randy_68

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my new .357 Handi deer rifle
« on: March 08, 2010, 02:19:11 PM »
I just put this little package together for my new deer rifle. It started as a .357/20 ga combo and I added the camo laminate thumbhole from Boyd's and forearm from H&R. I added a Bushnell Trophy XLT 4x12x40 DOA 600 and a sling. Tomorrow the barrel goes to the gunsmith to get reamed to .357 Max. I just ordered all my reloading supplies so when it gets back I will be ready to do some testing. My buddy John put one together just like it but I'm not sure what scope he will be using. This 4x12 was fine on the factory synthetic stock but when I put the thumbhole on I have to move my head too far forward. The thumbhole has a 1" longer pull and this scope doesn't have a long enough eye relief for me. My 3x9x40 DOA 250 on my CVA Apex seems just fine and I found out that it has 5" of eyerelief but the 4x12 only has 3.4" of eye relief. So now I don't know if I will keep this on here or switch it with the 3x9. I'll wait and see when I get the barrel back and do some shooting with it. Anyway I just thought I would share a pic.
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Offline dpe.ahoy

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Re: my new .357 Handi deer rifle
« Reply #1 on: March 08, 2010, 02:23:12 PM »
Lookin good!  DP
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Offline Datil

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Re: my new .357 Handi deer rifle
« Reply #2 on: March 08, 2010, 03:59:35 PM »
 Fine looking rifle, I don't think you need the big scope on it. 3X9 should be fine.
 Just my 2 cents.  Datil
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Offline JerryKo

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Re: my new .357 Handi deer rifle
« Reply #3 on: March 08, 2010, 07:11:08 PM »
Very nice.

Jerry
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Offline mrloring

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Re: my new .357 Handi deer rifle
« Reply #4 on: March 09, 2010, 02:31:23 PM »
Good looking gun for sure, but wait a 357 for deer?  I doubt it will even break the hide!  ;)  ;D 

What you need is a 338 Remchesterby Loudenboomer at a minimum for deer!


I have a Nikon Prostaff 2x7 on my 357 Survivor.  It shots 158gr XTP's pretty good but I am going to work on some cast loads when the snow melts. 
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Offline revbc

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Re: my new .357 Handi deer rifle
« Reply #5 on: March 09, 2010, 03:27:19 PM »
Looks great!  I have a set of camo stocks for mine, but the thing shot so good after reaming it to max I couldn't find the strength to take the syn's off.  They are really light to.  By the way, check out the weaver classic 2-7x32 at natchez shooters.  Great scope for the 357max, mounts low and has a great contour.

Bobby
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Offline randy_68

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Re: my new .357 Handi deer rifle
« Reply #6 on: March 10, 2010, 03:28:53 AM »
I just got in my bullets for the .357 max. and sent the barrel off to get reamed.  I ordered 180 gr XTP's and 180 gr SSP's since I load for my .35 Rem Contender also. So I should have a good combo rifle and pistol for next falls deer season. I aslo called the gun shop where I bought the 4x12 scope from and he agreed to exchange it for the 3x9 so I should be good to go after that. Now the wait begins for the barrel to come back so I can start shooting it.
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Offline MSP Ret

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Re: my new .357 Handi deer rifle
« Reply #7 on: March 10, 2010, 03:54:06 AM »
That's great news Randy, and since the gunshop is OK with the swap consider the area you hunt, if there is brush and some woods with most shots under 100 yards and many shots closer and quick in thick stuff think about a 2x7 or even less. I have a couple of 3x9's, and in Maine where I hunt it is quite thick and a lower power would be helpful many times. The best scope I ever had for woods hunting was an old Weaver 1.5x4.5. I think a 2x7 would work OK also but the lower power is really helpful on quick shots under 40-50 yards or so. All the best and let us know how it works out....<><....:)
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Offline wreckhog

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Re: my new .357 Handi deer rifle
« Reply #8 on: March 10, 2010, 04:19:40 AM »
Depends how you hunt. If you on the move, low power is necessary. If you are sitting, higher power is great. I hunt where we have antler restrictions (points and inches) and my scope gets left on 9x even for 30 yard shots. You could just switch to binos, but at close range, that is just more movement.
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Offline randy_68

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Re: my new .357 Handi deer rifle
« Reply #9 on: March 10, 2010, 09:25:34 AM »
Where I hunt in southern Indiana it is a mixture of hardwoods and crop fields. You can have a shot from 10 yards to as far as you can shoot depending on the area you are in at the time. The 3x9 is my favorite size scope.  I did have a 2x7 on a different rifle but I didn't care for it. All my bow kills have been from 5-30 yards and my gun kills have ranged from 20-75 yards. BUT I have passed up farther shots because of what gun I was shooting at the time (mainly slug gun or older .50 cal M/L). I like the idea of this .357 Max being able to shoot farther as well as my .35 Rem contender and my new CVA Apex M/L. I intend to do a lot of shooting this spring and summer especially since I got into reloading now. I have been shooting/hunting for 40 years so I'm not a novice  but I just got into the centerfire shooting this past year since some calibers are now legal in Indiana. I have been lugging my 10 lb Ultra slug 12 ga around for the last 10 years and while it is accurate it is a lot of gun to lug around, plus I'm getting older.LOL This Handi Max is going to be a nice fairly compact rifle that will still shoot as far as I want. Plus I like trying new guns out. I've only been thru around 30 Air guns or so in the last 3 or 4 years and I shoot them all the time. Hope my wife doesn't read this.!!
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Offline petemi

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Re: my new .357 Handi deer rifle
« Reply #10 on: March 10, 2010, 10:03:37 AM »
Quote from: randy_68 on March 10, 2010, 09:25:34 AM
Hope my wife doesn't read this.!!

Ya know, if our wives got together and formed a "GBO Watch Organization" and had one member monitor the NEF Forums each day, and report monitary infractions to the appropriate lady, we'd all be in deep doo doo. :o ??? ::) :'( :'( :'(

Pete
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Offline Catshooter45

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Re: my new .357 Handi deer rifle
« Reply #11 on: March 10, 2010, 01:53:48 PM »
Pete!  How can you even joke like that!?!   :o ;D

Probably none of them would thought of it . . . now we could all be in big trouble!

 ;D

Nice rifle.  I think I'd go 3x9 also, if nothing else for the proper eye relief.



Cat
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Offline dave29

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Re: my new .357 Handi deer rifle
« Reply #12 on: March 10, 2010, 02:18:06 PM »
Quote from: randy_68 on March 10, 2010, 09:25:34 AM
Where I hunt in southern Indiana it is a mixture of hardwoods and crop fields. You can have a shot from 10 yards to as far as you can shoot depending on the area you are in at the time. The 3x9 is my favorite size scope.  I did have a 2x7 on a different rifle but I didn't care for it. All my bow kills have been from 5-30 yards and my gun kills have ranged from 20-75 yards. BUT I have passed up farther shots because of what gun I was shooting at the time (mainly slug gun or older .50 cal M/L). I like the idea of this .357 Max being able to shoot farther as well as my .35 Rem contender and my new CVA Apex M/L. I intend to do a lot of shooting this spring and summer especially since I got into reloading now. I have been shooting/hunting for 40 years so I'm not a novice  but I just got into the centerfire shooting this past year since some calibers are now legal in Indiana. I have been lugging my 10 lb Ultra slug 12 ga around for the last 10 years and while it is accurate it is a lot of gun to lug around, plus I'm getting older.LOL This Handi Max is going to be a nice fairly compact rifle that will still shoot as far as I want. Plus I like trying new guns out. I've only been thru around 30 Air guns or so in the last 3 or 4 years and I shoot them all the time. Hope my wife doesn't read this.!!

I like your setup a lot!

I live and hunt in Southeastern Indiana. I am expecting  the reamer t his week for my .357 handi.

Do you have any info on proven hand loads for deer hunting out of the Max?
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Offline randy_68

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Re: my new .357 Handi deer rifle
« Reply #13 on: March 11, 2010, 12:17:20 AM »
sorry, but no loads yet. I have to wait for my barrel to get back so I can load some up and shoot.
I am going to use IMR 4227 and Hornady XTP 180's to start with. I also have some Hornady SSP 180's that I use in my .35 Contender and may try them as well.
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Offline dave29

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Re: my new .357 Handi deer rifle
« Reply #14 on: March 11, 2010, 09:03:03 AM »
Quote from: randy_68 on March 11, 2010, 12:17:20 AM
sorry, but no loads yet. I have to wait for my barrel to get back so I can load some up and shoot.
I am going to use IMR 4227 and Hornady XTP 180's to start with. I also have some Hornady SSP 180's that I use in my .35 Contender and may try them as well.

I am planning  on using the XTP 180's as well.
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Offline Daman

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Re: my new .357 Handi deer rifle
« Reply #15 on: March 11, 2010, 09:57:01 AM »
Quote from: petemi on March 10, 2010, 10:03:37 AM
Quote from: randy_68 on March 10, 2010, 09:25:34 AM
Hope my wife doesn't read this.!!

Ya know, if our wives got together and formed a "GBO Watch Organization" and had one member monitor the NEF Forums each day, and report monitary infractions to the appropriate lady, we'd all be in deep doo doo. :o ??? ::) :'( :'( :'(

Pete


Nah, you just gotta let 'em know who wears the pants in the family! That being said I bought a nice skirt the other day!!!! LOL!!! ::) ::) ::) ;D ;D ;D

Quote from: Catshooter45 on March 10, 2010, 01:53:48 PM
Pete!  How can you even joke like that!?!   :o ;D

Probably none of them would thought of it . . . now we could all be in big trouble!

 ;D


Cat


Come on Pete you really shouldn't joke like that!

Daman
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Offline cwlongshot

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Re: my new .357 Handi deer rifle
« Reply #16 on: March 11, 2010, 11:22:38 AM »
4227 powders are good choices but if they don't get you 1" groups don't stop there!!  H110, Lil'Gun and my favorite AA1680 re also good maxi powders...
 As for bullets, you have two of the best choices IMHO...

CW
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Offline randy_68

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Re: my new .357 Handi deer rifle
« Reply #17 on: March 12, 2010, 01:18:40 AM »
I was going to pick up some 1680 also but the gun shop didn't have it. My buddy has some 110 so we should be good to go. Man I'm itchin to start shootin
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