Author Topic: Reloading the .357 Herrett Questions (Read 3120 times)

jschance · « **on:** December 22, 2003, 05:06:49 AM »

OK, I blame the TC nuts here for getting me interested in the .357 Herrett, but there you go. :lol:

Today I stumbled across a 10" .357 Herrett TC barrel at a local gun shop. Before I take the plunge, I'd like to hear from those that actively shoot one as to how hard it is to reload for it. Things such as case forming, which dies to use, etc.

I'd also be interested in hearing what bullet weights/powder combinations folks have had luck with. I'm thinking I might pick it up for a potential deer barrel (to supplement my .45-70, 30-30, and .44 Mag barrels).

Thanks.

Tony D · « **Reply #1 on:** December 22, 2003, 09:33:59 AM »

I don't have a 357 Herret barrel, but EA Brown has the brass preformed for not much more than 30-30 brass.

Geno · « **Reply #2 on:** December 22, 2003, 10:23:00 AM »

I asked Eben last week about the brass, used to have it, but he says you can get the 7mm BR brass and run it through the die and form it real quick. $30 a hundred. I just ordered my Hornady dies a few minutes ago from Midway, so can't really tell you much about loading it. From what I've read, the 180 to 220 grain bullets seem to stabilize better in this caliber, so I've read. I'll be experimenting more in hte coming months.

Johnly · « **Reply #3 on:** December 22, 2003, 11:41:34 AM »

Quote from: jschance

OK, I blame the TC nuts here for getting me interested in the .357 Herrett, but there you go. :lol:

Today I stumbled across a 10" .357 Herrett TC barrel at a local gun shop. Before I take the plunge, I'd like to hear from those that actively shoot one as to how hard it is to reload for it. Things such as case forming, which dies to use, etc.

I'd also be interested in hearing what bullet weights/powder combinations folks have had luck with. I'm thinking I might pick it up for a potential deer barrel (to supplement my .45-70, 30-30, and .44 Mag barrels).

Thanks.

I've harvested several deer at ranged from 75-125 yards with the 180 gr. Speer FP pushed by 27gr. of H4227. The balance point of a 10" barrel with a scope mounted is really nice. It's just a tad barrel heavy which reduces the muzzle rotation without decreasing the handling characteristics.

John in Oregon

MS Hitman · « **Reply #4 on:** December 22, 2003, 01:41:30 PM »

The easier way to make the .357 Herrett brass is to use .375 Winchester brass. The case walls are thicker than .30-30, so some care in working up loads is in order. I have used the 150 and 200 grain Remington Core-lockts and the Hornady 180 SSP on deer and beaver. I use the Hornady dies. Not my most accurate barrel, but certainly shoots minute of varmint out to 200 yards.

wheelgun · « **Reply #5 on:** December 23, 2003, 01:53:05 AM »

Brass is easy to form or you can buy it.I use 30-30 brass never had a problem.180gr ssp hornady over 27 gr 4227 works great for me.Buy the 357 herrett you will like.

Hopalong7 · « **Reply #6 on:** December 23, 2003, 02:35:56 AM »

The REM 150 SP really shined in a 10" barrel but sorry to say it went away. 180 SSP and 180 XTP both perform good over H-4227 for me. I usually use the XTP up close in the thick stuff. I also have a 14"er (which I find much more pleasant to shoot) and I load it almost exclusively with the 180SSP. GOOD SHOOTIN", Walt

Old Syko · « **Reply #7 on:** December 23, 2003, 05:21:44 AM »

Although I'm sure there are some out there that will, I've personally not owned a 357 Herrett barrel that would handle bullets lighter than 170 grains with any degree of accuracy. 180 gr. Speer fp is one of my favorites along with the 180 SSP. Either does very well in my present 10 incher over H4227 and CCI mag primers. Although it is beyond my abilities, my son has taken deer with the Speer at and beyond 200 yds. Us mere mortals hold the max range to somewhat under 150 yds.

A year or so ago someone on this board got me started using 375 win. brass instead of the 30-30 stuff and I have never looked back. The 375 is easier to form, lasts longer, and in my case, improved accuracy. I did feel it necessary to reduce my loads slightly from the 30-30 based loads.

All in all, the 357 Herrett is actually quite simple to load for with the main precaution being to not set the shoulder back too far when sizing but even this is easy to regulate.

jschance · « **Reply #8 on:** December 23, 2003, 05:46:16 AM »

Still looking for more information. Specifically how do you go about forming the cases. In the past, I had a .375 JDJ and to make the cases all I had to do was give the .444 Marlin cases a light coat of lube and run them into the resizing die.

So how do I get from 30-30 (or .375) brass to the .357 Herrett? Will I need to purchase any dies other than the standard 2 die set?

For bullets, I'm thinking I'd like to get something in either a 158 grain soft point or a 180 grain JHP for deer hunting.

Old Syko · « **Reply #9 on:** December 23, 2003, 07:03:59 AM »

jschance, all you need is a standard die set and a case trimmer. Lube the cases, run them through the sizer die, and trim to length. Doesn't get too much easier.

The Herrett prefers bullets with a longer bearing surface such as 180 to 200 grainers offer. I've tried all the way down to 110gr. slugs in the past to no avail. 180s and 200s work well.

Slim Chance · « **Reply #10 on:** December 23, 2003, 12:36:26 PM »

A trim die will also make the task much easier. Hacksaw off the excess and square with the trimmer. Very easy to form.

hubcap · « **Reply #11 on:** December 23, 2003, 07:41:05 PM »

:biggun: Had a 357H barrel, sold it and am still kicking myself. Bought another, but doesn't work as well. I had excellent results with Lyman's 215 gr. SWCGC. 1925 fps out of a 14". Great on 220m rams.

Hopalong7 · « **Reply #12 on:** December 24, 2003, 01:54:16 AM »

Old Syko, The REM 150SP was the Only "light" bullet that I could get to shoot very good out of the Herret or the Max either one. I tried several 357Mag and 38Sp bullets in the 125 to 158 range with no success. Sierra 170HP was fair but it took 180 or better to be really good. Even the 150SP was not a lazer but it WAS minute of deer. FWIW, probably my most accurate bullet in the Herret was Lyman 358315 cast about 18-20 hardness. Shot well in Max too. GOOD SHOOTIN', Walt :-D :-D :-D

Lone Star · « **Reply #13 on:** December 26, 2003, 08:51:01 PM »

For deer the .357 Herrett is best with powders slower than H4227 IME. Other than for playing around, I see no need for bullets under 180 grains in this chambering - the 158s are too soft for deep penetration at the velocities this barrel is capable of. They can fragment badly at 2000 fps and are useful only for lung shots. The various 180-grain bullets are far better deer bullets. Highest velocities and best accuracy will probably come with AA1680, RL-7 or H4198.

Graycg · « **Reply #14 on:** December 27, 2003, 04:32:34 AM »

Herrett is good,
I love 35 contenders, have 38 special, 357 mag, 357 max, 357/44 B&D, 357 Herrett, 35 rem and 358 Bellm. IF and when (if ever!) funds become available, I'll be looking for a 358JDJ and maybe a 35 Winchester and 35-30 some day in the future. Personally, I've found the 35 bores to be extremely accurate, easy to develop loads for and deadly on deer and pigs. I wish you luck with your Herrett; unlike some folks around here, I dont think that on deer out to 125-150 yards anyone can tell the difference between the herrett, the max the B&D or even the 35 remington....When you get to the 358 Bellm, then you really start to see a difference. I've been thinking about having my herrett chamber cut to use full length 30-30 cases resized in the herrett dies, that would leave a very long neck which is great for longer bullets, especially 220 and heavier cast bullets, increases powder capacity to nearer the 35 remington and would make all that case trimming obsolete.

good luck with your Herrett, you should find it fun to play with.

regards,
Graycg

JD · « **Reply #15 on:** December 28, 2003, 02:25:32 PM »

When I first saw your post I thought I posted and forgot I had. Don't have the newer w'cats, but I've shot the Bain&Davis and the big Herrett since '79. I have given up on anything lighter than 180 as well. Although I did have a load with Rem 158 JHP's that did about 2300 and grouped decently at about 1.5" & 100yds.
Lonestar, you must have a really different barrel as 26gr of H4227 CCI mag primer and Seer 180 in a Rem case gave me 2100fps and 3/4" groups. :grin:

jschance · « **Reply #16 on:** December 30, 2003, 02:40:43 AM »

Now that was the information I was looking for. What I was worried about was that the forming of this wildcat would require several hundred dollars worth of reloading dies. If that was the case (no pun intended) I was going to steer clear of it. Since it sounds like all I need is one set of reloading dies, I'm going to swing by his shop and see if he's in a dealing mood.

Lone Star · « **Reply #17 on:** January 05, 2004, 11:45:31 AM »

Quote

Lonestar, you must have a really different barrel as 26gr of H4227 CCI mag primer and Seer 180 in a Rem case gave me 2100fps and 3/4" groups.

Perhaps I do, as 42.0 grains of H322 gets me 2179 fps with the Speer 180s and .75 moa 5-shot groups. I could load a bit hotter, but it shoots so well I haven't tried.

BTW, my fastest load is with AA2015, 42 grains giving the 150 CoreLokt 2322 fps and moa groups. The 150s are still available ( or they were at least ) from the following guy: www.dustinbrass.com

Jim Stacy · « **Reply #18 on:** January 05, 2004, 12:02:52 PM »

I am surprised at some people saying their 357 H doesn't shoot the short bullets very well ? I knew Steve Herrett some and he really liked the 140 bullet with 32/H4227 for most things. My 357 (older than dirt) shoots 140 into 2" groups @100 while doing 2450 . I like the remington 150 sp , have a couple of hundred , and i guess I had better hold on to them. The 158 Sierra soft point is also a good bullet because it has a harder core than many other 158's . I loaded 358429's over 17.0 4227 as a case forming load and they were actually a fun load to shoot . The 10" 357 Herrett is not a plinking gun, to me , maybe some of you guys are tougher than me and thats ok I say shoot what you like there's enough calibers out there to enertain us all . I have shot deer , pigs and javelina with my 357H and it is more than adequate with 140--158 gr bullets . I have reloaded the 180 speers and they shoot ok but have not found a need for bigger bullets . Like I said I think it's a good round VERY easy to form cases . I cut off most of the excess with a dremel tool and a cutoff wheel then trim them to final length or use the triming die and almost finish them the use the trimmer. My trim die sets the shoulder back too far so you get short case life . The cases should be a snap fit to the chamber with a little resistance when you close the gun. Good barrel I think you would like it.

Hopalong7 · « **Reply #19 on:** January 06, 2004, 02:44:23 AM »

Jim hit the nail squarely on the head. The key to the Herret is head spacing properly(with the 357H or the 30H). I know, it has a rim but it is not for head spacing. Head space on the shoulder with a snug fit and case life goes way up and misfires dissappear. GOOD SHOOTIN', Walt :grin:

Jim Stacy · « **Reply #20 on:** January 06, 2004, 02:43:11 PM »

Sir you are so correct . I use the tigh head space techniques on any contender round I load. I have a 221 fire ball that will shoot .5" when I can do it , you know still day good concentration and such. I always load the brass to a snap fit even my hornets , of course the straight walled cases are a little harder ! :wink:

hubcap · « **Reply #21 on:** January 10, 2004, 03:47:17 PM »

Quote from: Jim Stacy

Sir you are so correct . I use the tigh head space techniques on any contender round I load. I have a 221 fire ball that will shoot .5" when I can do it , you know still day good concentration and such. I always load the brass to a snap fit even my hornets , of course the straight walled cases are a little harder ! :wink:

Not that much harder if you seat the bullets out far enough.!!

jschance · « **Reply #22 on:** January 18, 2004, 08:01:21 AM »

Well, it's a done deal, I'm now the owner of a 10" .357 Herrett barrel. Now I need to locate some loading dies and I'll be in business.

I'll be printing out these messages and keeping them for reference once I get to reloading.

hubcap · « **Reply #23 on:** January 18, 2004, 10:25:43 PM »

I've seen them fairly often on Ebay