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Author Topic: Reduced .357 Max Loads?  (Read 800 times)

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Offline jason045

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Reduced .357 Max Loads?
« on: August 02, 2010, 02:37:49 PM »
I know the purpose of the max is higher velocity, but heres the deal.  I got my son a .357 handi for his birthday and had it reamed to max.  I wanted to start him off light with some .38s and progress from there.  We went out and shot it saturday and I was lucky to get em inside 3" at 50 yards.  I suspect it is due to the large amount of "freebore" before the bullet engages the rifling. Sooo I have dies and brass on hand and am looking for a load that will be about .38 +p velocities but be long enough to almost engage the rifling.  I have heard that you must be careful with powder selection/charge when shooting reduced maxi loads is why I ask.  Better safe than sorry.
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Offline quickdtoo

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Re: Reduced .357 Max Loads?
« Reply #1 on: August 02, 2010, 02:43:52 PM »
There's always Trail Boss, it can be used in any cartridge for reduced loads.  ;)

Tim

http://www.hodgdon.com/PDF/Trail-Boss-data.pdf

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Offline tacklebury

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Re: Reduced .357 Max Loads?
« Reply #2 on: August 02, 2010, 03:39:35 PM »
I don't reload .357 or Max, but in my big ole .45 Colt case, 6 grains of Unique fires every time and is a very enjoyable plinker in the 900 to 1k range for my pistol/carbine both.  There is a nice article at Handloads.com with lights using Unique at 5.3 gr.  Might check out his article.
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Offline Dinny

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Re: Reduced .357 Max Loads?
« Reply #3 on: August 02, 2010, 04:21:20 PM »
I haven't gotten to the Max yet. I should have my barrel next week. But....I have been experimenting with the 357 Mag and 38 Spec. Here are most of my results derived from only one powder, Trail Boss. When the time comes, I'm gonna start with 5-8gr of TB behind a 200gr bullet. ;)

http://www.gboreloaded.com/forums/index.php/topic,208470.0.html

Thanks, Dinny
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Offline bikerbeans

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Re: Reduced .357 Max Loads?
« Reply #4 on: August 02, 2010, 05:07:22 PM »
Jason,

I know one load NOT to try.  158 grain LSWC, 1.88 OAL, Bullseye 3.7 to 8.3 grains, Fed SP Mag primers.  The loads below 4.5 grains would not hit a 12" by 12" target at 50 yards.  5.0 to 5.2 grains the best but not good enough to warrant continued load workup.  Going to try this again with 700X and see if it works any better.  I had this particular bullet out as far as I could go without exposing the first lube grove and the bullet jump to the rifling was still almost .25".  Let me know if you have any luck with your load workup.  I want a light 357 Max load for squirrels. 

BB
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Offline cowboyup453

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Re: Reduced .357 Max Loads?
« Reply #5 on: August 02, 2010, 06:20:48 PM »
I use Trail boss with 158g lead bullets. Dont know how accurate it is, but I can hit a 12x12 gong at 200 yards(with enough hold over). ;)
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Offline bikerbeans

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Re: Reduced .357 Max Loads?
« Reply #6 on: August 03, 2010, 05:01:57 AM »
cowboy,

are you loading the 158s into 357 Max brass?

BB
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RIP Tom: Tom Nolan, ( bikerbeans) passed away this afternoon (02-04-2021).

Why be difficult, when with a little extra effort you can be impossible?

Wife's Handis;  300 BLKOUT

MINE:  270W, 308x444, 44 Bodeen, 410 shorty rifled slug gun, 445 SuperMag Shikari, 45 ACP shorty,  45-70 Shikari, 45 Cal Smokeless MZ, 50cal 24" SS Sidekick, 50 cal 24" Huntsman, 50 cal 26" Huntsman, 50 cal 26" Sidekick, 50-70 Govt Shikari, Tracker II 20 ga shorty, 20 ga VR Pardner, 20ga USH, 12ga VR NWTF, 12ga Tracker II shorty WITHOUT scope, 12ga USH, 10 ga  Pardner Smoothbore slug gun & 24ga Profino Custom rifled slug gun.

Offline petemi

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Re: Reduced .357 Max Loads?
« Reply #7 on: August 03, 2010, 06:49:30 AM »
Tom, all the data I have says to use small rifle primers in the Max.  Not mag pistol.  Could that be a part of the problem?  I don't know, I'm a nebie at this.  The only reloading I've done for mine has been mild .38s and +Ps.  I won't get to Mags and Maxis till next week some time.

Pete
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Offline Doublebass73

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Re: Reduced .357 Max Loads?
« Reply #8 on: August 03, 2010, 04:16:08 PM »
Pick up a can of Trail Boss or Unique and you'll be good to go.
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Offline Graycg

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Re: Reduced .357 Max Loads?
« Reply #9 on: August 03, 2010, 05:27:45 PM »
I have a load for the max that is just like a baby 38-55 or 45-70 load, use a lead bullet, anything 158 and up will do just fine, I actually use a 240 grain mountain mould bullet and load it with unique, much as the other wise shooters have recommended.  loaded as such it is very similar to the old 38 extra long.  if you really want to liven it up, load up a full case of black powder or black powder substitutes...smoke and accuracy!

regards,
 Graycg
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Offline cowboyup453

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Re: Reduced .357 Max Loads?
« Reply #10 on: August 04, 2010, 12:21:10 PM »
Quote from: bikerbeans on August 03, 2010, 05:01:57 AM
cowboy,

are you loading the 158s into 357 Max brass?

BB
Yes. I think its 8 grains of trail boss with cheap 158 grain lead bullets I got of ebay. Dont quote me on that though. I just use it for plinking so I dont have to clean the chamber to shoot other max loads.
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Offline bikerbeans

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Re: Reduced .357 Max Loads?
« Reply #11 on: August 07, 2010, 07:48:31 AM »
Was at the range today and brought 8 rounds of 38 special plinkers, that I loaded for my wife to shoot in a revolver, and tried them in my Talo 357 Max.  158 grain LSWC, 3.0 grain 700X, Rem SP Primer, 1.45" OAL.  Shooting free hand at a life size squirrel target at 30 yards and I was eight for eight on the tree rat.  Didn't rest the gun to see how good these loads would shot as I will be shooting freehand when squirrel season opens on Sept 1st.  Group size free hand was just over an inch @ 30 yards.  According to my older brother, the resident squirrel hunting expert in the family, 33 yards is optimum zero distance for a squirrel rifle.  I think I have found my 357 Max plinker/tree rat  load.

BB
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RIP Tom: Tom Nolan, ( bikerbeans) passed away this afternoon (02-04-2021).

Why be difficult, when with a little extra effort you can be impossible?

Wife's Handis;  300 BLKOUT

MINE:  270W, 308x444, 44 Bodeen, 410 shorty rifled slug gun, 445 SuperMag Shikari, 45 ACP shorty,  45-70 Shikari, 45 Cal Smokeless MZ, 50cal 24" SS Sidekick, 50 cal 24" Huntsman, 50 cal 26" Huntsman, 50 cal 26" Sidekick, 50-70 Govt Shikari, Tracker II 20 ga shorty, 20 ga VR Pardner, 20ga USH, 12ga VR NWTF, 12ga Tracker II shorty WITHOUT scope, 12ga USH, 10 ga  Pardner Smoothbore slug gun & 24ga Profino Custom rifled slug gun.
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