From MAGGY to MAXIE: The Transformation

[watkibe]

I shot my 357 Magnum barrel a bit before I reamed it to 357 Maximum. I wanted a baseline so I could have a standard to judge the Maxi cartridge and chamber by. Here are some before and after numbers for ya:

I used the Hornady 140 gr FTX and Hodgdon's starting charges of H110 for both cartridges.

357 Magnum: @50 yards: 5 shots in 2", 1 1/2" high to point of aim, Chronied at 1800 fps.

Based on that, I hoped to get 2200 fps with the Maxi. Boy, did I get a surprise !

357 Maximum: @50 yards: 4 shots in 2", 3" high to point of aim, Chronied at 2418 fps !!!! That calculates out to 1788 fpe. My ballistics trajectory calculator says that 3" high at 50 equates to a 225 yard zero.

I think I'm in love 

 You may be wondering why only 4 shots in the Maxi group. I loaded 5 for the group and velocities, but I gave into temptation and fired the first one into a 5 gallon plastic jug full of water. All I can say is the result was like what you get when you shoot a 223 varmint bullet into a gallon milk jug - total destruction !

[cwlongshot]

I shot my 357 Magnum barrel a bit before I reamed it to 357 Maximum. I wanted a baseline so I could have a standard to judge the Maxi cartridge and chamber by. Here are some before and after numbers for ya:

I used the Hornady 140 gr FTX and Hodgdon's starting charges of H110 for both cartridges.

357 Magnum: @50 yards: 5 shots in 2", 1 1/2" high to point of aim, Chronied at 1800 fps.

Based on that, I hoped to get 2200 fps with the Maxi. Boy, did I get a surprise !

357 Maximum: @50 yards: 4 shots in 2", 3" high to point of aim, Chronied at 2418 fps !!!! That calculates out to 1788 fpe. My ballistics trajectory calculator says that 3" high at 50 equates to a 225 yard zero.

I think I'm in love 

 You may be wondering why only 4 shots in the Maxi group. I loaded 5 for the group and velocities, but I gave into temptation and fired the first one into a 5 gallon plastic jug full of water. All I can say is the result was like what you get when you shoot a 223 varmint bullet into a gallon milk jug - total destruction !

Welcome to the fold!!!

 Yup the maxi is awesome and all who have tried have been impressed with this caliber.

Do some reading, there is much written on the caliber here. I will suggest you stay with the 180 grs (180SSP is a top choice) and up for big game. If you must use a light bullet look at the excellent Hornady XTP FP bullet in 158 Grs.

CW

[watkibe]

Thanks, CW !
The 140 gr bullet is just what I happened to have on hand to use with the 357 magnum. It's way too expansive for anything bigger than a coyote, at least at 2400 fps ! The 180 SSP indeed seems to get widespread thumbs up here. I had zeroed in on it myself before finding out that so has everybody else ! The other interesting projectile is the 200 gr FTX.
I am also thinking about Lee's 2R358-158 for a cheaper plinking and practice load, although the 358-158TL I already have has done well using the magnum case in the Handi. In either case, I need to come up with a lower velocity load to use with cast bullets.

[cwlongshot]

Your correct, that 140 LE would be explosive on a yote!!

I have shot a few lead rounds in my maxi. Not enough to matter. I have shot far more thru it in mag form and even more than that in wad cutters in 38spl from the maxi!!

Your correct, depending on your alloy, (Bullet hardness) you mostly need to keep the velocities under 1000. In my 45's I shoot Linotype slugs to very respectable velocities, no leading and ZERO expansion. But BUKU penetration!! 

Have fun with your new "baby"!!


I was just working on mine yesterday, she got some new black laminated handi stocks and a thorough cleaning. She is ready for the range next week end! I shot her two weeks ago with a couple 200 GR FTX loads and was quite impressed with their accuracy. So I loaded up some more!!

CW

[watkibe]

I got my hands on a box of Hornady's 180 gr SSP bullets. The squashed tip on the first one reminded me of what Steve said on 357maximum.com said about getting a custom seating plug made by Lee for $12. I looked at Lee's site and realized that all of their 35 caliber rifle seating dies (35 Whelen, 350 Rem Mag, 358 Win, 35 Rem) all use the same part number for the seating plug. Hmmm...and they are only $2 ! Then I read the FAQ page, where Lee makes the offhand comment that oh, by the way, most seating plugs can just be drilled out with a 3/32" drill, not more than 1/4" deep, and work fine. I don't know where they got 3/32", that might work for some VLD or tipped bullet, but not for the SSP. I gradually increased the drill size until the bullet went in deep enough to touch the jacket, and the smoothed it all up with the Dremel and steel wool. Now I've got 5 rounds loaded up to shoot if it stops raining today.
And that didn't even cost $2, and no shipping or delay.

[gcrank1]

Short of getting a new plug that is the way to do it. In fact, if you have dies for some other close calibers it can be worthwhile to 'mix & match' parts to fit. Just keep some notes to know what you did after you forget (how would I know?).

[Lon371]

I got my hands on a box of Hornady's 180 gr SSP bullets. The squashed tip on the first one reminded me of what Steve said on 357maximum.com said about getting a custom seating plug made by Lee for $12. I looked at Lee's site and realized that all of their 35 caliber rifle seating dies (35 Whelen, 350 Rem Mag, 358 Win, 35 Rem) all use the same part number for the seating plug. Hmmm...and they are only $2 ! Then I read the FAQ page, where Lee makes the offhand comment that oh, by the way, most seating plugs can just be drilled out with a 3/32" drill, not more than 1/4" deep, and work fine. I don't know where they got 3/32", that might work for some VLD or tipped bullet, but not for the SSP. I gradually incresed the drill size until the bullet went in deep enough to touch the jacket, and the smoothed it all up with the Dremel and steel wool. Now I've got 5 rounds loaded up to shoot if it stops raining today.
And that didn't even cost $2, and no shipping or delay.

Glad you posted that. I was going to, but did not want everyone think I was to cheap All I can say is it will and does work. I did use a cone shaped bit to smooth out the edge.

Lonny

[cwlongshot]

That's what I did on my first set too!!!

I have RCBS and just requested a new seater, didn't cost me a dime. (If you don't know, I am NO FAN of LEE products.)

Glad you were able to get up and running quickly!!

I just struck a deal for my second Handi maximum!!  Hope this one shoots as good as my first one!! This one is (will be) a shorty.

CW

[yukondog]

I did the drill bit on mine also and it works great, leaves a littel ring on the jacket does not seem to bother it and they still shoot great.

[blind ear]

Glad you posted that. I was going to, but did not want everyone think I was to cheap All I can say is it will and does work. I did use a cone shaped bit to smooth out the edge.

Lonny
[/quote]

Shoot, I major in "cheep", that is why I am at this site to start with.

We need a topic heading titled cheep. Come to think of it many of the threads depend on cheep for thier inspiration. 

eddiegjr

[watkibe]

I spent some time shooting today, in between the raindrops, and until my hands got too cold. Good thing I can shoot at home, so I can come in and warm up, eh ? Plus, I finished making sky screens for the Chrony, so it was time.
I used the starting loads for H110 in the 357 Max from Hodgdon's website for both the 140 FTX and the 180 SSP.
The 140 grainer went 4 shots into 1.25", averaging 2350 fps.
The 180 grain number went 3 shots into 5/8", for an average of 1693 fps.
I seem to have a "Handi Rifle Syndrome". I can get 3 or 4 shots in a pretty tight group, but there's always one or two that didn't follow the GPS on the way to the party. That's with both the 223 and 357 Max barrels, btw.
Today I do have good excuses, though. The 140 grain group was looking so good that I got excited and actually aimed at the group itself instead of the aiming point for one shot...The 180 grain group is just vertical stringing, so it could just be that I'm using the starting load of H110. It's a powder that performs best (most consistently) close to maximum. I'm hoping that's the reason, not the forend. (Shouldn't be, I rest the reciever on the sandbags.)
Having fun, more to follow.

[cwlongshot]

Looks like a GREAT start!!!

I never shot the 140s much, I did grab a box of the FTX's too but haven't loaded any. 158, 180 and even the 200FTX have shot really well for me.

For powders, AA1680 proved most accurate for the 158/180's but RL7 for the 200. But its a bulky powder and vel is down but accuracy way up in my barrel!!

CW

[cwlongshot]

You got me thinking and tonight I loaded up two different powders in six different loads with these 140 FTX bullets.

I strayed form my favorite powder and tried 2400 and H4227. I have a new maxi barrel to try so I figured what the heck!!  LOL

I'll post up the results in my shorty thread Sunday nite.

 CW