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Author Topic: 357 maximum is a GOOD thing.  (Read 1007 times)

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Offline mechanic

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357 maximum is a GOOD thing.
« on: August 02, 2010, 05:29:47 PM »
I debated for a while if it would even be worth it to ream my 357  to max.  After all, I was shooting 360DW, and slightly shortened max. brass. 

I sent the reamer on it's way home to Tim today, and took a small box of reloads to my private range.  Shot 50yd. 3 shot groups to determine my load.  From min. to max., they all did well, but I settled on 19.5 gr. H110 under a 180 XTP.  Looks like that will be my load, and boy am I pumped at the difference in the way this thing shoots!  It's almost like a whole new rifle!

But will it shoot the "short" bullets now?  You betcha.  Got a 1/2" group out of 38 plinking rounds.


I will complete my load workup at the longer range tomorrow and load up a bunch for deer season, if I can let it rest that long. ;D


If you're holding off on reaming your mag....don't.

Ben
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Offline bikerbeans

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Re: 357 maximum is a GOOD thing.
« Reply #1 on: August 03, 2010, 05:06:13 AM »
Ben,

Congrats of the rifle upgrade!  What is the barrel length of your Max?  Also, what are you shooting for 38 splinking loads? 

thanks

BB
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Offline petemi

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Re: 357 maximum is a GOOD thing.
« Reply #2 on: August 03, 2010, 06:25:39 AM »
I've had three .357 mag. Handis.  One was down in the barn, and someone liked it better than I.  The other two have grown up to be Maxis, and still tack drive .38s.  I had the two mags and they both shot very well, so I thought I'd risk one and ream it to Max.  Well it shot superbly after reaming with everything, so I figured I had nothing to loose doing the other one.  To make a long story short, it was reamed to Maxi, cut to 16.5 inches, recrowned and put on a BC carbine stock set.  It shoots everything as well as anything I own.  I couldn't be more pleased. ;D :D ;D  It's going to a shoot this weekend, and I'm gonna wager it'll get some attention.

Pete
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Offline NFG

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Re: 357 maximum is a GOOD thing.
« Reply #3 on: August 03, 2010, 06:34:04 AM »
If the 357 Maximum is good, just think how much better the 35 Rem or 358 will be.... ;D ;D ;D

Sorry, just couldn't resist.  No diss to the 357 Max, it is a very good cartridge...not stirring the pot either...at one time I shot the 357 Max quite a bit, not mine, but a friends, he used me as a "test dummy" and load developer/experimenter/gruntboy...hahahahahaha.  ::)

Luck
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Offline petemi

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Re: 357 maximum is a GOOD thing.
« Reply #4 on: August 03, 2010, 11:42:58 AM »
Quote from: NFG on August 03, 2010, 06:34:04 AM
If the 357 Maximum is good, just think how much better the 35 Rem or 358 will be.... ;D ;D ;D
Luck

We, almost all of us, instinctively relate a caliber to deer hunting, forgetting there's lots of other uses for them.  My most used rifle is the shortie .357 Maxi shooting .38 pop gun loads.  I like it lots better than my 10/22.  There's a nine round Allen Buttstock Cartridge Holder on it with 3 Maxis, 3 mags and 3 .38s.  The one in the chamber is the one I think I'll use first.  In most cases, it's the .357 Mag. beause of the number of coyotes and woodchucks here, and I may have to reach out a bit.  The Maxis are there in case I annoy a Bruin, or I have wolf problems.

I don't think I'll use the Maxis for deer at all this year.  I believe it will be the .445 and the .44LC.  Perhaps the 7mm-08 if I think I'll be shooting long.

Pete
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Offline quickdtoo

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Re: 357 maximum is a GOOD thing.
« Reply #5 on: August 03, 2010, 12:03:14 PM »
Quote from: petemi on August 03, 2010, 11:42:58 AM
I believe it will be the .445 and the .44LC. 

Pete

Did your 45LC shrink?  ;D

Tim
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Offline mechanic

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Re: 357 maximum is a GOOD thing.
« Reply #6 on: August 03, 2010, 12:44:53 PM »
Quote from: bikerbeans on August 03, 2010, 05:06:13 AM
Ben,

Congrats of the rifle upgrade!  What is the barrel length of your Max?  Also, what are you shooting for 38 splinking loads? 

thanks

BB

I've got an old Lyman mold that was my Dad's that throws a .359 148 gr. flat base wadcutter.  I load that over 3 gr. Bullseye.  Perfect short range plinking load, and at 50 feet will cut one hole.  It's also perfect for the 8 yr. old grandson, as there is no recoil and just a little "pop" for noise..... ;D  Accuracy with the 38's did not change with the mod.

Ben
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Offline jeepmann1948

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Re: 357 maximum is a GOOD thing.
« Reply #7 on: August 03, 2010, 04:04:24 PM »
pete's 45 lc probably shrunk because of the cold weather up there  ;D ;D ;D ;D
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Offline petemi

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Re: 357 maximum is a GOOD thing.
« Reply #8 on: August 03, 2010, 04:22:11 PM »
O.K I'm not a typist.  Jeeze, give me a break, guys. ::) :o

Pete 
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The growing Handi/Sportster/Pardner/Topper Family:  .22 WMR, .22-250. 223, Two Superlight 7mm-08s and one .243, .30-30,  .308, 32-20, 18 inch .356/.358 Win., Two 16.5 inch .357 Max., 18 inch 38-55 BC Carbine, 16.5 inch .445 Super Mag., .45LC, 16.5 and 22 inch .45-70s, .50 Huntsman SS, .410, 20 ga., 12 ga., 20 ga. Pardner Pump, Versa-Pack .410 - .22
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Offline mechanic

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Re: 357 maximum is a GOOD thing.
« Reply #9 on: August 03, 2010, 05:43:16 PM »
Quote from: petemi on August 03, 2010, 04:22:11 PM
O.K I'm not a typist.  Jeeze, give me a break, guys. ::) :o

Pete 

All Quick wants is perfection, Pete.  See to it! ;D
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Offline petemi

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Re: 357 maximum is a GOOD thing.
« Reply #10 on: August 04, 2010, 08:17:01 AM »
Aye, Aye, Sir!!

Pete
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Keep both eyes open and make the first shot good.
The growing Handi/Sportster/Pardner/Topper Family:  .22 WMR, .22-250. 223, Two Superlight 7mm-08s and one .243, .30-30,  .308, 32-20, 18 inch .356/.358 Win., Two 16.5 inch .357 Max., 18 inch 38-55 BC Carbine, 16.5 inch .445 Super Mag., .45LC, 16.5 and 22 inch .45-70s, .50 Huntsman SS, .410, 20 ga., 12 ga., 20 ga. Pardner Pump, Versa-Pack .410 - .22
[size=7.4 pt]PLEASE DONATE TO THE GBO SERVER FUND  We're closer to the goal but not there yet, we can still use more donations, thanks

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Offline Handi-Fan

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Re: 357 maximum is a GOOD thing.
« Reply #11 on: August 05, 2010, 04:46:51 PM »
NFG I have a 358 that's not all that. A 35 I don't have yet! But, it's going to have to get mighty good to top what I'm getting from my maxi so far. I shot some 200gr. magnus bullets to day over some imr-4227 and lets just say gee whiz I'm impressed...  The preliminary so far has been impressive to say the least. Once I'm finished with all the loads this thing shoots good I'm going to run some and post pics. I've never been that big of a fan of cast bullets in a rifle before. But I thinks this one is going to change my mind. The more 4227 that was under this bullet the better it shot. ;D
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Offline mechanic

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Re: 357 maximum is a GOOD thing.
« Reply #12 on: August 05, 2010, 05:00:32 PM »
I guess what pleasantly surprised me about this whole deal, was that I had to remove the scope to ream the barrel.  Then I moved the barrel from a shotgun receiver to my BC receiver and it fit perfectly.  I then shot the thing and the scope was still dead on with the maxi's at 50 yds.  Hopefully I will get to go to the range this weekend with more bullets and shoot at 100.

It handles great with the BC stock on it, even with the scope, so it will be a good carry gun this season. 

If I hunt where I now plan, my maximum yardage is about 90 yds., well within the capability of this gun.

If I hunt with my son in law, I will have to carry more gun, but I've got that covered as well!

Ain't these Handi's grand?  I've owned guns costing several times more, but for some reason these just suit me.  This little rifle comes to the shoulder just right, and just "fits".

Ben
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Offline cwlongshot

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Re: 357 maximum is a GOOD thing.
« Reply #13 on: August 06, 2010, 01:13:10 AM »
Well said Ben.
 We all know there are better, more expensive and better looking firearms out there. Most of us own that too. But the handis are great, can shoot very well and overall "just fit" very well!! I LOVE mine!! ESPECAILLY my Maxi 32/20, 25/35 and 454 Cassull!!!

CW
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