Author Topic: .357 Maximum (Read 6797 times)

ajj · « **Reply #60 on:** February 13, 2004, 08:41:55 AM »

Anybody have a load they like using L'il Gun?

JPH45 · « **Reply #61 on:** February 13, 2004, 03:53:53 PM »

Been following 357 Maximum NEF's for about a year now, and I cannot think of anyone posting any data using Lil Gun. I do think Hodgdon shows data for it, visit their website, www.hodgdon.com I think the performance will be very close to that of H110. All over, it seems that the power of choice amoung 357 Max shooters is AA1680. I don't think a powder is made that is better suited to the Max than this.

Badnews Bob · « **Reply #62 on:** February 14, 2004, 05:54:15 AM »

Has anyone tried IMR 3031?

marv · « **Reply #63 on:** February 14, 2004, 11:00:38 AM »

I haven't data for IMR 3031 to start, been tring IMR 4227, Have not got shoot it enough to come to any conclusion on it. And been snow all day.
Pretty disagreeable out. You 'll take care Marv.

JPH45 · « **Reply #64 on:** February 14, 2004, 11:30:37 AM »

Badnews Bob, 3031 is too slow, This is one of those cartridges that works very well with 2 powders, H110 and AA1680. There are other powders out there that will work, none is as satisfactory as these. I have used a good bit of Reloder 7, just a tad faster than 3031. It makes for some VERY accurate loads, will put 5 Remington 200 grain RNSP into 1 hole. Looks like something jeff 223 would shoot, but only travels at 1600 fps. Velocity is falling off bad at this burn rate, and by the time one gets to R-15, velocity with the same bullet is down to 1400 fps. Accuracy is great, just no velocity, and the bullets won't perform at this velocity either. just a slow solid. these powders are good for playing with cast bullets, where velocity is not desired but accuracy is. I have seen some R-7 data that suggests velocities better than with 1680, but I ain't seen 'em.

Leftoverdj · « **Reply #65 on:** February 14, 2004, 03:39:27 PM »

JPH45, XMP 5744 works as well in the Max as H-110 and AA-1680. Not many folks will have it on hand, though. H-322 is well worth trying w/ 200 grain bullets. I need to set up my chronograph and run another test series with it, but I seem to recall it gave around 1900 fps.

And I wanna remind folks that H-110, WW 296, and AA-9 are pretty much the same thing. You aren't gonna get enough difference between brands to justify stocking more than one.

JPH45 · « **Reply #66 on:** February 15, 2004, 03:52:36 PM »

DJ, with all due respect, and I hold great respect your ideas and experience, I doubt that 5744 woud prove the equal of H110 or 1680. Accurate Arms data show max loads:

210 grain lead, 17 grains, 1518 fps 45,300 cup

Nosler 158 JHP, 21 grains, 1825 fps, 42,9000 cup

Sierra 170 JHC, 20 grains, 1711 fps, 42,800 cup

Hornady 180 SSP, 22 grains 1781 fps, 44,100 cup

Speer 200 TMJ, 18 grains 1497 fps, 41,700 cup

At these pressures, I doubt that 5744 would catch up to H110 or 1680 before it peaked out. Not trying to flame or one up or anything like that, I like 5744 for low pressure/low volume loads, but there are better powders for almost every application where the highest velocity is desired.

Leftoverdj · « **Reply #67 on:** February 15, 2004, 04:08:02 PM »

JPH, that data is for a pistol barrel. 10.5" if I remember right. I was using a 210 cast seated out and exceeded that charge a bit because of the extra space. I got right around 1900 fps from the 22" Handi barrel. That's a little loss in velocity from WC 680, but not much.

We agree more than we disagree. H-110/WW 296 and WC 680 are the places to start, but 5744 ain't far behind and is the place to go if you run into accuracy problems.

BIGBOREFAN · « **Reply #68 on:** February 16, 2004, 04:10:30 AM »

Well I did not do anything Saturday but spend it with the misses and cook her dinner. I thought Valentine's day was sunday. So I did not get to shoot the 357 mag. So sunday I maxed it. Pretty simple job. Reamer cut really good. Seems to be really sharp. I going to end up with two 357 max's because I ordered a Rossi 357 Friday. It should be here Wednesday. :-D Figured if I was going to do one it would be lonely and might as well do two. :-D

BBF

.308 · « **Reply #69 on:** February 16, 2004, 04:20:59 AM »

BBF, How much are you giving for the Rossi? If you don't mind telling.

BIGBOREFAN · « **Reply #70 on:** February 16, 2004, 04:33:50 AM »

308 the Rossi is 159.00 I figures if I could get a extra barrel it would be $92.00 after the price of barrel and fitting. Plus would have to waite 8 weeks for a barrel if they have any left. So figured I would try the Rossi. The Rossi will be for my oldest boy. He's only five (the youngest turns 4 next month) but I'm stock piling gun for both of them. I think it will make him a good little gun. Plus he can help daddy reload shells for his gun. :-D

BBF

.308 · « **Reply #71 on:** February 16, 2004, 06:24:14 AM »

Hmmm, not a bad price.

Edit: I thought I read somewhere, when Rossi gets their Barrel Program going they would ship you a barrel without you having to send them your receiver, well I musta been dreamin'. :oops: I copied this from the Rossi site:

Rossi is currently in the process of implementing the additional barrel program.
Once completed you will be able to send in your Rossi long gun receiver
and have additional barrels fitted to your current receiver.
We are planning to complete this program by Spring of 2004.
Please check back, here on the web site, for additional information.

Dang it. :oops:

BIGBOREFAN · « **Reply #72 on:** February 16, 2004, 09:17:05 AM »

Guys I learned something about brass for the 357 max. I was on a web site checking out the 445 SM and they had a little info about the 357 SM and 357 Max. The guy said when getting brass you should always measure it. He had several times ordered 357 maximum brass and it measured 1.610 He said 357 max brass should be 1.605 and that the 1.610 brass was actually for 357 Supermag and he has to trim it. Just figured I would tell you what I read. Does any body know if the 1.610 brass will fuction in the 357 max. He said the the brass he got was marked 357 max but was not 1.605 like it was supposed to be. So everybody might want to measure your brass just in case. Might not matter but he indicated that it would.

BBF

22KHornet · « **Reply #73 on:** February 16, 2004, 09:33:11 AM »

Hey BBF I read that too and it has some contradictions to what I have read in the past. I have about 400+ rounds of 357 max and all but the first 20 were bought brand new from midway. I have loaded and shot all of them at least 4 or 5 times and they all function flawlessly between my 357max blackhawk and 357max contender. The only problem I ever had was a couple of the original factory loads I bought split the case the first time I fired them

.308 · « **Reply #74 on:** February 16, 2004, 10:33:02 AM »

Where did ya'll read that at? :eek:

22KHornet · « **Reply #75 on:** February 16, 2004, 10:40:12 AM »

In the Dan Wesson Firearms under the handgun forums. It is titled something about 357max at local gunshop? Anyway I still am not sure what to think about it. On one one hand the guy really sounds like he knows what he is talking about but if that is the case how come no one else has heard of this or experianced the problems that he talks about :?:

.308 · « **Reply #76 on:** February 16, 2004, 10:54:41 AM »

Right. BTW, and I can't help but be curious, the .357 Max. case is only .005" shorter than the .357 Super? All the other dimensions are the same? Wow that's hardly any difference at all. Like the difference between the .38 spl. and the .357 mag. is just a few thou. more than an eight of an inch. Ain't much but nothing like 5 thou. Why bother? :?

BIGBOREFAN · « **Reply #77 on:** February 16, 2004, 10:59:41 AM »

308 I can not find the sight I read it on now. I was on a bunch checking out the 445 SM. The guy wrote he had to trim them to 1.605 I guess they would not chamber in his 357 max.

BBF

22KHornet · « **Reply #78 on:** February 16, 2004, 11:04:16 AM »

My bad, it goes into more depth in the 357 supermag vs the 357max post. I did notice that he talks about buying winchester brass? I have looked and searched for brass over the years and the only company that I know of that still makes 357max brass is Remington. I guess the only way to know for sure is if someone has some unloaded new brass to measure. Back to the original point I have never had a problem so how is it that I buy new brass load it up with 180 grain bullets and fire them in my blackhawk if the supermag will not fit in a blackhawk?

JPH45 · « **Reply #79 on:** February 16, 2004, 12:35:37 PM »

I'm guessing, so guys, don't think I know what I am talking about. The 357 Super Mag is the cartridge we know today as the 357 Maximum. Elgin gates gave the cartridge the Super Mag anme when he first created it. Remington came along in game when Ruger wanted to compete against Dan Wesson for the handgun silhouette crowds money, and they teamed up to produce the Maximum. It is quite possible that teh difference in length is accurate. It could also be the difference between the overall case length and the trim length. I have no method of trimming the brass. So I shoot what comes from Remington (via midway) with no alteration. I shoot it untill it splits. I have cases that have seen at least 20 sizings (neck only)and I have yet to have any trouble from case length. Yes, one should trim their brass to a uniform length, but I have yet to see a straight wall case grow so much from full length sizing that trimming beyond that is required. I measure my brass for length and so long as it is within tolerance, shoot it. Can't be this nonchalont with bottle neck cases that are full length sized each firing, but straight wall brass will rarely if ever give length troubles.

Leftoverdj · « **Reply #80 on:** February 16, 2004, 01:20:44 PM »

Lemme put it this way, .005" ain't enough to make me get out of this chair and go check. It ain't even enough to make me scratch for a manual to check specs. My usual trim is .010.

There may be a gun, somewhere, in which .005 OAL in a straight case is important, but I ain't run into it and don't expect to.

grendel · « **Reply #81 on:** February 16, 2004, 05:56:12 PM »

I have been setting up my new reloading area (out of the garage and into my own shed) and going through lots of back issues of Rifle and Handloader. Just thought I would point out (for those who don't take Handloader, and also those who do who had misremembered that it was there) that Handloader #168 (March-April 1994) has an artical on converting a T/C Single Shot 10' pistol from .357mag to Maximum. Seems like a good artica, information on loads, throats etc. I don't know if it is availble from their web site or not but someone could look. Pg 18 by John O'Renick.

I don't know how you all or GB his self would feel about my scanning it and turning it to a pdf for anyone to read. Shades of Napster.... :grin:

Who has the reamer and how do I get on the list?

Grendel

Leftoverdj · « **Reply #82 on:** February 16, 2004, 06:10:36 PM »

Grendel, email me at "leftoverdj@aol.com".

BIGBOREFAN · « **Reply #83 on:** February 17, 2004, 09:31:08 AM »

Hey 308 it is a good day in muddville. The little brown truck was here and dropped off my Lee hand held press, XTP bullets, and 357 max brass. :grin: Then my gun dealer called and said both my guns were in. I trade the 336CB 38-55 and 336C 35 Rem. for a Ruger M77 stainless w/laminated stock in 300 Win mag and a 100.00 :-D The other gun is the Rossi 357 mag. So I guess I'll be maxing another gun tonight. She is going to hold the Ruger for me and is letting me have the Rossi so I can max it and get the reamer back to DJ. Yep today has been sweet. :-D :-D :-D

BBF

.308 · « **Reply #84 on:** February 17, 2004, 10:00:45 AM »

Yesss it is a good day in Muddville. I can't wait to see which Max shoots the best. I bet they both do. :wink: .300 Mag. huh, got you a case of magnumitis. Well I had to have me one too, so I got a .338 Win. Mag. Remington 700 Stainless Synthetic. That cured my case of 'magnumitis.' :shock: It kicks a bit but not painful like my 870.

BIGBOREFAN · « **Reply #85 on:** February 17, 2004, 10:11:41 AM »

I just wanted one fine bolt gun and the Marlin's were setting there not really being used. Besides my primary hunting rifles will probally be the 357 max and 445 SM if I get to ream the 44 mag. All ye and the 450 marlin stuffed with some Remington 405 grainers at about 1400 to 1500 FPS. I can not waite to see which Max shoots better. Should be a lot of fun. :-D

BBF

Badnews Bob · « **Reply #86 on:** February 17, 2004, 04:22:59 PM »

Great news for you eh BBF. :grin: I just got back from Owensburogh Ky with 22lbs of powder, Ian even let me ride up front. Seeing as we had somthing else to do and made a day of it we saved about $220.00 , That'll buy another handi rifle. Gonna be trying some of that WC 680 in the Maxie Thats the same load info as AA1680 that some of the other Max shooters have suggested. Missed a fine shootin day but we have plenty of dry powder now.

marv · « **Reply #87 on:** February 17, 2004, 04:56:00 PM »

Bob Please be sure and post a report on that powder,
may have get some Good shooting. Marv.

Badnews Bob · « **Reply #88 on:** February 17, 2004, 05:13:03 PM »

Roger That Marv hope to shoot next weekend with the Max I'll be sure to post results.

Leftoverdj · « **Reply #89 on:** February 17, 2004, 05:43:45 PM »

Grendel, check your PMs please. Your email is blocked to me and I could not get a reply through.