Author Topic: Anyone shoot spire point bullets in .357 Mag Handi's??? (Read 1566 times)

hoytcanon · « **on:** March 02, 2013, 02:38:45 AM »

Hello guys... has anyone loaded spire point bullets, other than the FTX, for their .357 Mag Handi rifles??? If so what bullets have you tried and at what velocity??? Will primarily be using H110 powder. Thanks for any and all shared experience.

jeepmann1948 · « **Reply #1 on:** March 02, 2013, 05:00:47 AM »

I have some of the old Remington 150gr spire points. They shoot well in the 357 mag loaded with a lot of H110.In my rifles they get good accuracy only at full throttle loads. Down to about 50 , wished Rem would make some more.Several of the guys here use the 180 SSP bullets,I am sure they will chime in.
Good Luck
George

petemi · « **Reply #2 on:** March 02, 2013, 08:41:51 AM »

Yes, a lot of us run the Hornady 180 gr. SSP. I use Lil' Gun for 2150 fps. out of a 16.5 inch barrel. I like it a lot better in the Max than H110. I have AA1680, but haven't tried it yet. The guys that use it say it's even better.

Pete

hoytcanon · « **Reply #3 on:** March 02, 2013, 09:18:07 AM »

Quote from: petemi on March 02, 2013, 08:41:51 AM

Yes, a lot of us run the Hornady 180 gr. SSP. I use Lil' Gun for 2150 fps. out of a 16.5 inch barrel. I like it a lot better in the Max than H110. I have AA1680, but haven't tried it yet. The guys that use it say it's even better.
Pete

Hey Pete... are you getting 2150 in a mag or a maxi? I don't want to take my mag to maxi... I have other guns for that level of performance... I am going to give the H180 SP's a try... I do have plenty of Lil'Gun & H110 on hand.

petemi · « **Reply #4 on:** March 02, 2013, 09:36:11 AM »

Sorry I read "Maxi" instead of "Mag"....there it goes again

$:-\$ Most of my mags get shot out of my Blackhawk and they're loaded moderately with H110 or 296 and I've only used pistol bullets, RNs, FPs, SJHPs, etc.

Pete

hoytcanon · « **Reply #5 on:** March 02, 2013, 10:55:28 AM »

Quote from: petemi on March 02, 2013, 09:36:11 AM

Sorry I read "Maxi" instead of "Mag"....there it goes again $:-\$ Most of my mags get shot out of my Blackhawk and they're loaded moderately with H110 or 296 and I've only used pistol bullets, RNs, FPs, SJHPs, etc.
Pete

Me too... but I got to thinking... since I only use BT 150's in my .30/30, because... why not? In a Handi platform, why not maximize the BC and aerodynamics of the projectile... I will still shoot cast, but want to see what can be done to improve accuracy and performance with a streamlined load... open to suggestions.

nanuk-O-dah-Nort · « **Reply #6 on:** March 02, 2013, 10:35:57 PM »

with the LOOOOOONNNNNNGGGG throat of the Maggie, you could just seat the bullet out, and get capacity same as a Maxi.

When the snow leaves us, I'm going to try that with some 190gr cast.

petemi · « **Reply #7 on:** March 03, 2013, 02:44:39 AM »

Quote from: nanuk-O-dah-Nort on March 02, 2013, 10:35:57 PM

with the LOOOOOONNNNNNGGGG throat of the Maggie, you could just seat the bullet out, and get capacity same as a Maxi.

When the snow leaves us, I'm going to try that with some 190gr cast.

I believe that has been discussed before, and I think it was stated you'd have pressure problems with the mag brass. If I'm wrong (again

) someone will be along to correct me.

Pete

yukondog · « **Reply #8 on:** March 03, 2013, 06:35:16 AM »

Have not tried spire points in the 357 but have in the max and 360 DW. nanuk instead of using mag. brass for your testing, I think 360 DW brass would be better, alot of the 357's will chamber 360 brass as is, just make sure the case mouth is not jamed into the lands. Before I maxed mine it shot 360 DW for a few years before I reamed it.

gcrank1 · « **Reply #9 on:** March 04, 2013, 04:53:42 AM »

Id sure try the seated out biggest dia bullet possible in the Mag brass first, though I always do like to fill as much of a chamber proper with brass when I can. Maybe you can beg or borrow 5 or so 360 DW cases to trial?

hoytcanon · « **Reply #10 on:** March 04, 2013, 05:23:43 AM »

Quote from: gcrank1 on March 04, 2013, 04:53:42 AM

Id sure try the seated out biggest dia bullet possible in the Mag brass first, though I always do like to fill as much of a chamber proper with brass when I can. Maybe you can beg or borrow 5 or so 360 DW cases to trial?

I found a dealer for Starline 360 DW brass up here in Canuckistan, but the smallest quantity is 250... before I go out on that limb is there anyone that can confirm that it fits in a modern (2013) .357 Mag chamber??? Finding some to try locally is not likely... but I would really like to go with it, if it is a possibility. Coupled with a Hornady SP it should be a nice combo... the Hornady 180 SP is the only spire point that I have been able to locate... any info on other options???

quickdtoo · « **Reply #11 on:** March 04, 2013, 05:26:47 AM »

Starline 360DW brass will fit in most, but not all, I had to trim it .010" before it would completely chamber in mine before I Maxed it.

Tim

petemi · « **Reply #12 on:** March 04, 2013, 07:16:07 AM »

I guess you can't rent the GBO Maxi reamer in Canada. Tim, can you send it there? That would solve the whole problem. If you can get one, I'd do it (read have done it). Nothing to loose and lots to gain. Not that I'm at all fond of Maxis

I'm diddling around with perhaps doing a fourth for my grandson. There's nothing like the Maxi. In fact, I'd better do another for myself just in case I wear one out. The Maxis are my most used rifles...ever. In fact, it's a clear blue sky, 25 degrees, no wind. I'm gonna go shoot one.

Pete

quickdtoo · « **Reply #13 on:** March 04, 2013, 08:35:26 AM »

Sorry, I haven't sent any reamers to Canada, I don't care to lose a reamer to customs, 4D won't ship out of country, so I won't either, the reamers provide too much revenue to GBO to risk loss when it has to go thru customs twice! $:-\$ Elk Ridge may ship to Canada, so it wouldn't hurt to check with them.

Tim

http://www.reamerrentals.com/help_answer.asp?ID=12#24

hoytcanon · « **Reply #14 on:** March 04, 2013, 01:45:00 PM »

I have no problem getting a reamer here for anything made... There are no restrictions on a reamer "rental" going through customs as the value is in the $40 range... There is conceivably a problem with a reamer "purchase" @ $150+... Due to ITAR/BATF, although a reamer is a smithing tool, not a "gun part" or other "direct attachment." There is virtually no chance of any problem at customs in either direction... I would say NO problem except for the latitude that they give to customs officials who are either ornery or incompetent. But as I said, I can get any reamers that I require. I was not looking to rechamber to Maxi due to the plethora of other calibers in the 7mm and .30 cal range that I have available... I would rather leave the Maggie in its niche, however if .360 DW was a slip in fit, I would go with it. Tim, after initial trimming of the .360 DW brass did you find that retrimming was required on subsequent reloads or did the brass settle into the chamber?

nanuk-O-dah-Nort · « **Reply #15 on:** March 04, 2013, 07:52:17 PM »

Hoyt, WSS had some Maxi brass, and I think I have another bag of 100

if I can find the second bag, it's yours, if you want it.

my local WSS still had more when I last looked.

when I dropped on in my Maggie, I still had 3-4mm left to go, and that was new brass, so assume a sized neck?

I'm not sure a SW would fit in mine.

I was going to trim a couple down until it fit, but haven't gotten to that yet.

I can even toss a couple in the mail for you to size down to find out., but I'd suggest they need to be expanded first, then size and a WC seated, just to be sure.

PM me on this if you want.

hoytcanon · « **Reply #16 on:** March 05, 2013, 03:29:13 AM »

Quote from: nanuk-O-dah-Nort on March 04, 2013, 07:52:17 PM

Hoyt, WSS had some Maxi brass, and I think I have another bag of 100
if I can find the second bag, it's yours, if you want it.
my local WSS still had more when I last looked.
when I dropped on in my Maggie, I still had 3-4mm left to go, and that was new brass, so assume a sized neck?
I'm not sure a SW would fit in mine.
I was going to trim a couple down until it fit, but haven't gotten to that yet.
I can even toss a couple in the mail for you to size down to find out., but I'd suggest they need to be expanded first, then size and a WC seated, just to be sure.
PM me on this if you want.

Thanks Nuk... it is appreciated... but what I am really trying to determine is if the commercial Starline .360 DW brass will work in the .357 Mag "without" trimming... if it does, I will gladly use it... I suppose I could trim some of your maxi brass to Starline's maximum DW length and try it... I might also call Epps and see if they have DW to try in the chamber of the new gun... I'll get back to you on it. Take care.

gcrank1 · « **Reply #17 on:** March 05, 2013, 04:21:40 AM »

If you use whatever brass really fills the chamber proper the best, even if it means trimming some (and how many do you 'really need' for trials right now?), you will get the best results, and results is what you are after, right? (nudge, nudge......

)

hoytcanon · « **Reply #18 on:** March 05, 2013, 04:25:10 AM »

Well there is no .360 DW locally and Epps doesn't carry DW... So I believe that I will order a bag (250) and try it... If worse come to worse, I might have to trim it all (PITA), but will have the longest usable case possible for my particular chamber, which is a good thing IME... Should help seating longer spire points also... Still interested if there are any other .357/.358" spire points out there in the 180 grain and down range??? Anyone???

gcrank1 · « **Reply #19 on:** March 05, 2013, 04:34:36 AM »

I suggest you dont 'trim it all', only what you need; it might be that you DO decide you want it MAXI sometime

(you wouldnt be the first one who dawdled on it). It sure seems the reamer improves the throat/leade/transition to the rifling.

quickdtoo · « **Reply #20 on:** March 05, 2013, 04:45:20 AM »

Quote from: hoytcanon on March 04, 2013, 01:45:00 PM

Tim, after initial trimming of the .360 DW brass did you find that retrimming was required on subsequent reloads or did the brass settle into the chamber?

I never shot the DW brass, I decided that since it had to be trimmed, I might just as well maxi it and be done with it, sold the DW brass to someone that could use it as is and bought the Maxi reamer.

Tim

cudatruck · « **Reply #21 on:** March 05, 2013, 09:57:27 AM »

Mine, and i think most guys on here, after reamed to max shoots 38s and .357 mag just fine. a lot of guys report accuracy improving with the shorter cases after reaming! why not have the flexability of the four different cases?

hoytcanon · « **Reply #22 on:** March 05, 2013, 01:59:48 PM »

I am resisting the rechamber to maxi because it would just put me into the duplication zone for so many of the other calibers that I shoot... I'll be honest, I am never going to hunt with this particular gun... it will be a paper punching, clay bustin, gong dinging, smile making sorta tool. I have many times convinced myself to "improve" the mid-range calibers and always end up saying "why'd I do that" afterward... rather than "improving" I have countless calibers that I can go up to... and since I am shooting a .357 Mag Henry Big Boy also... I just want to keep this simple... and now that I have said all that, I am thinking that I should just settle on working with Mag brass and leave well enough alone... I have three new projects in the works already... I am still really curious on spire point bullet options... other than the Hornady 180 SP (which I have purchased 200 of, since starting this thread)...
And the truth is the 360 DW brass idea will sit in the back of my mind until I act on it!

Ranger99 · « **Reply #23 on:** March 05, 2013, 02:37:56 PM »

well keep us posted on what you do.
i'm the same as far as already having
the middle-of-the-road covered, and
really don't want to start on another
caliber. i've done good with 158gr swcfp
jacketed and cast on game and paper
and haven't tried any s.p.'s

gcrank1 · « **Reply #24 on:** March 05, 2013, 04:02:04 PM »

It would be a shame for you to not see what is possible in Mag brass as a baseline. I look forward to your trials

.

hoytcanon · « **Reply #25 on:** March 05, 2013, 04:07:42 PM »

Quote from: gcrank1 on March 05, 2013, 04:02:04 PM

It would be a shame for you to not see what is possible in Mag brass as a baseline. I look forward to your trials .

Don't worry Crank... even if I go DW (trim/no trim)... I will also test standard Mag brass (I have 500 or so pieces of Mag brass, cause I load it in my levers)... testing the results of both options is what is intriguing me at this point... mostly from an accuracy perspective... in a factory Mag chamber.