Handi 357 Mag Got a little handier..

[glocker17]

Just got my barrel back, cut to 16", threaded for suppressor and moved the front sight back.  It is really short.  Cant wait to shoot it.  Still need to send receiver to Illion to get trigger adjusted, but that will have to wait until after hunting season.
 

[tat438]

That is really neat. I have been thinking about doing that to one of mine one day, except for the threaded part. A reciever sight would give you the long sight radius back so it would not hurt the longer ranges either.
 
  I dont think you would loose any velocity from a .357 with a 16" barrel or is this a wrong assumption?
 
 

[Spanky]

It might actually be a little faster at 16" depending on the load. The pistol cartridges don't really need the 22" barrels.
 
 
 
Spanky

[glocker17]

I will be primarily shooting sub sonic ammo lead in it, but I am going to pound a bunch of 357 ammo thru it first to smooth out the bore.  Picked up a 2.5x Leupold as well.

[45-70.gov]

got any more details


what did it cost?
what can you using?
what threads were cut?


show a pic with the can attached  and closeups of threads

[glocker17]

Paid $130 for the barrel work and sight fitting.  Had it done by a local guy who does exceptional work.  I cut it 1/2 x 28 which is pretty standard for 9mm suppressors.  I bought a Thompson Machine ISIS suppressor.  I will take a pic with the can tomorrow if i am able.  Not much to see as far as the threads go, just .400 in length.

[45-70.gov]

i have a rossi  with  3/4X10 thread


use the nut off a trailerhitch ball for a thread protector
i have slight alignment problems with my cobray can


mine has a red-dot scope
the can would be too big to use the sights 
so i didn't waste time/ money trying iron sights


i wish  i had used a handi rather than a rossi
the thicker barrel might have  not given me the allignment issues

[glocker17]

Ah i see.
 
Your alignment issues are probably related to the thread job.  It must be concentric to bore, rather that just turning down the outside.  (Its a common mistake) No matter how thick the barrel, I was going to end up with a pretty skinny 1/2x28 muzzle.  It looks thin, but pressure is relatively low 16" down the barrel.  Although I will keep the protector on when not in use.

[jeff686]

I just did the same thing to my 357.  My friend has a lathe, so we cut it off, threaded it, and re-crowned it.

I had already done a trigger job.  Now it just needs some cold blue.

With the TROS Diplomat II silencer and some light target loads (158gr with 3gr Clays), it sounded like an air rifle.

I'm working on a subsonic load now, starting with Red Dot and 180gr Hornady XTP.

[ratdog]

GLOCKER KEEP US INFORMED HOW IT SHOOTS. I HAVE A 357 IM THINKING OF DOING YOURS LOOKS COOL.

[redlinecustomsms]

That is awesome. This has motivated me to shorten my 357 handi to 16.5" and reaming it to a Max. Thanks

[45-70.gov]

I just did the same thing to my 357.  My friend has a lathe, so we cut it off, threaded it, and re-crowned it.

I had already done a trigger job.  Now it just needs some cold blue.

With the TROS Diplomat II silencer and some light target loads (158gr with 3gr Clays), it sounded like an air rifle.

I'm working on a subsonic load now, starting with Red Dot and 180gr Hornady XTP.

BE CAREFULL


i would use cat  ONLY


you don't want the core to out run the jacket in the bore with reduced loads


besides  cast  is cheaper.....i cast my own 185 grain  WFN

[redlinecustomsms]

I cut mine today, 16.5". Still need to finish dressing it up to my liking then time for Cerakote, just gotta decide what color.

[HAMMERHEAD]

  I dont think you would loose any velocity from a .357 with a 16" barrel or is this a wrong assumption?
 
 

It looks like .357 mag velocities peak right at 15"-17" for a lot of loads.
http://www.ballisticsbytheinch.com/357mag.html
I've seen other tests where 125 JHP's maxed out at about 20", but the gain over 16" was minimal.

[ratdog]

i was going to shorten mine shot real bad sent it back to remington. barrel was defective they fixed it now it is a shooter i  won't mess with it now.

[jeff686]

I just did the same thing to my 357.  My friend has a lathe, so we cut it off, threaded it, and re-crowned it.

I had already done a trigger job.  Now it just needs some cold blue.

With the TROS Diplomat II silencer and some light target loads (158gr with 3gr Clays), it sounded like an air rifle.

I'm working on a subsonic load now, starting with Red Dot and 180gr Hornady XTP.

BE CAREFULL


i would use cat  ONLY


you don't want the core to out run the jacket in the bore with reduced loads


besides  cast  is cheaper.....i cast my own 185 grain  WFN

Well, I was under the impression that they typically separate when the twist rate + velocity is so aggressive that the bullet tries to jump the grooves in barrel.  This causes massive friction, and the intertia of the lead is enough to pull it out of the jacket.

I'm loading at 1100 fps in a 1:15 twist.  Not a candidate for separation.

Yes, cast is cheaper.  Ever clean a comp or silencer loaded with lead?

[JMcDonald]

  I dont think you would loose any velocity from a .357 with a 16" barrel or is this a wrong assumption?
 
 

It looks like .357 mag velocities peak right at 15"-17" for a lot of loads.
http://www.ballisticsbytheinch.com/357mag.html
I've seen other tests where 125 JHP's maxed out at about 20", but the gain over 16" was minimal.

Hotter handloads will peak in longer barrel lengths, but you're right most factory loads or typical handloads will be at least 95% efficient, if not peaking, at around 16". And for subsonic loads, he could easily register it as an SBR and run like a 6" barrel, heh.