Author Topic: .357 Magnum continued (Read 3904 times)

BIGBOREFAN · « **Reply #30 on:** February 23, 2004, 08:53:46 AM »

Thanks DJ. I plan on getting a chronograph soon, just so I know what my loads are doing. I just want to push the 180 XTP at 2000 FPS so I can have a good low recoil deer thumper out to 125 yards. From what I have read the 19 grains of H-110 should do that out of the 22'' NEF barrel. Again thanks

BBF

Badnews Bob · « **Reply #31 on:** February 23, 2004, 12:30:50 PM »

:shock: This maximum thing cranks. :twisted: I loaded some 145gr Win silver tip HPs with 26grs of H110, They chronoed at 2650 I didn't shoot them for groups but I blew a 2.5 inch limb outta ceder tree at Close to 100 paces, big fun to shoot. I did try grouping some 187gr LRNFP GCs over 21grs of H110 they went 2145 avg and shot a 1.710 five shot group and a .910 4 shot group with a flier opening it up to 1.56". I also shot one of thease at a 1/8" steel plate 50yards away It punched a .50" hole, Very impressive. the 145s where 400 fps faster than a marlin i had there shootin 35 Rem 200gr JRN The 187gr bullets where 100 to 150 fps slower but alot more pleasent to shoot than the 35 Rem. I like this thing more every time I shoot it.

BIGBOREFAN · « **Reply #32 on:** February 24, 2004, 02:17:16 AM »

Hopefully I get to shoot both of mine this weekend and give you a report on them. I did some changing of stocks last night. I figured my NEF 357 Max. should have a better looking stock than the synthetic. So I put the Buffalo Classic stock/forearm on it. Looks sweet. Plan on ordering the walnut stock/forearm that is going to be on the new topper. Does anybody know how the 158 XTP's would hold together on a deer. I would think they would come apart pretty fast. Any ideas.

BBF

BIGBOREFAN · « **Reply #33 on:** February 26, 2004, 04:07:42 AM »

Well I ran about 12 shots thru the NEF 357 Max last night. I was laying on my very cold back deck and did not have a good rest but at 40 yards three shot groups was around 5/8. I tried the 19 grains H-100, 19.5 grains H-110, and 20 grains H-110 with no pressure signs. I need to shot it on a good bench. Will try and do that this weekend with the NEF and the Rossi.

BBF

.308 · « **Reply #34 on:** February 26, 2004, 05:20:41 AM »

There ya go. 5/8'' at 40 yards ain't bad, not the best rest, working up loads, can't remember if you scoped it or shot with open sights. Sounds like a shooter to me.

Did you see BNB's post, 2650 fps with 145 Silvertips, that's smokin', betcha that would light up a coyote. Hope he shoots some groups with that load, maybe it'll group.

Got yourself a 'hotrod' using light jacketed bullets and a 'tank' with heavier cast bullets. I can't wait to try some of my hard cast 158's. Love them pistol calibers in rifles. Two of my favorite rifles are .44 mags., deer don't know what hit 'em. I've been studying, especially since I read what JPH45 had to say about the .445 SM. I got a .45-70, got a .444, and yep I got a couple of .44 mags. But looks like soon there won't be any more .44 Handi's and most likely no more .44 barrels either. Maybe I should think twice before I rechamber my .44 mag. barrel. :? If I ever get it. May not be any more.

BIGBOREFAN · « **Reply #35 on:** February 26, 2004, 05:53:59 AM »

I have a 3-9x40 on it but the paralex was messing with me also. I know from a steady shooting bench it will deliver good accuracy. I seen his post on the 145 ST. That is moving. Sure would make a great 150 yard yote gun if you didn't want the hide. :lol: I ordered some stuff this morning from Mid-Way. Ordered me a Lee turret press, two extra turrets, Frankford Arsonel tumbler kit (on sale for 63.95), dies, brass, and bullets for the 445. JPH45 is very knowledgeable and I know the 44 barrel is limited right know but that does not bother me to much. If I ream it I can still use regular 44's thru it as long as I clean the chamber every now and then.

BBF

Badnews Bob · « **Reply #36 on:** March 02, 2004, 09:18:11 PM »

Things have been kinda screwy here havn't they :wink: I've been testing the Max some with good news, To get better groups I scoped it it'll get a peep for hunting but I thought a scope would show better in test. Less human error :shock: anyway, the Winchester 145gr silvertips work very well, 26grs H110 cci primers clocked 2650fps and are shooting under 1.5" groups at 50yards one 5 shot group measured .686 while sighting in the scope I put 15 shots in a 4" long rectangle where they followed the scope adjustments. The 187gr LRNFP GCs from LBT with 21grs of H110 worked maybe best so far, I got two groups (with all I had left shot the rest up) both where under .796" at 100 yards I forget but I think they clocked right at 2000fps I have a LEE mold on order that almost duplicates this bullet can't hardly wait for that I think this will be a great hunting round. So far this thing seems to like anything you shove thru it but you can hear those big lead slugs hitting the back stop and thats just to cool. Anybody else been able to shoot much? Later

BIGBOREFAN · « **Reply #37 on:** March 03, 2004, 01:49:58 AM »

Bob I've been shooting mine a little and I meen very little. I did get to shot it a about 50 yards maybe a little less. The NEF with 19 grains H-110 and a 180 XTP was shooting around 5/8 of a inch with a really uncomfortable rest. I shot 5 with 20 grains of H-110 they were around 3/4 but am not sure yet if it was me that opened it up or the extra grain of powder. Laying prone on my cold back deck. There was one group that was around 3/4 and one around 1/2 inch. But the others were around 5/8. Also the scope paralex was not set at 50 yards so that was messing with me a little. Know I do not have a pair of calipers so I was useing a tape measure. Hopefully I can shoot them both this week end. I can tell you one thing the Rossi will be a lot funner to carry. I will bet there is a 2 pound difference between the two of them.

BBF----<><

Leftoverdj · « **Reply #38 on:** March 03, 2004, 03:56:33 AM »

Warms the cockles of my heart (sometime I'm gonna hafta look up just what that means) to see you boys doing so good and having so much fun.

Best I am managing with cast are 50 yard groups the size of Bob's 100 yard groups. I'm in on the same group buy Bob is and really looking forward to that mould. It's to be a sixholer for $41 and anyone interested better move fast. Order is already in, but Lar thinks he can increase the order until production. Check the Cast Bullet Forum over at AR for details.

Badnews Bob · « **Reply #39 on:** March 03, 2004, 06:05:43 AM »

DJ I think you mentioned having a 200 gr mold, I believe I would like to try some bigger cast also. Have you ever tried a 225 or 250? My thinking on thease is they would be good on hogs if I ever get around to hunting them here in KY or Tenn. My next project is a trigger job, I could get more consistant groups with a lighter trigger. Right now our trigger pull guage won't even measure our handis, so they are over 5 lbs. I have 4 recivers to work with so maybe I'll get it right on one of them, If I figure it put Haywire my let me do his :shock: I don't think I can get him to try hisself thou :wink:

Badnews Bob · « **Reply #40 on:** March 03, 2004, 06:11:17 AM »

DJ I think you mentioned having a 200 gr mold, I believe I would like to try some bigger cast also. Have you ever tried a 225 or 250? My thinking on thease is they would be good on hogs if I ever get around to hunting them here in KY or Tenn. My next project is a trigger job, I could get more consistant groups with a lighter trigger. Right now our trigger pull guage won't even measure our handis, so they are over 5 lbs. I have 4 recivers to work with so maybe I'll get it right on one of them, If I figure it put Haywire my let me do his :shock: I don't think I can get him to try hisself thou :wink:

Leftoverdj · « **Reply #41 on:** March 03, 2004, 11:26:29 AM »

Bob. I promised you some 200 grainers a while back and even have them set aside for you. I ship stuff out in a flat rate mailer and hate to send one out without taking all the advantage of the gubmint I can. Tried to find out what else you could use a couple of times, but those messages seem to have been lost in the confusion.

Check with Haywire and see what he can use. I cast for about everything and have several hundred pounds cast up. Just send me a wish list and I'll match up what I have with what you need the best I can.

Badnews Bob · « **Reply #42 on:** March 03, 2004, 09:00:27 PM »

Yep things where sure odd around here, I couldn't even get online for 3 or four days. I'll get with Ian and let you know soonest. Thanks

Haywire Haywood · « **Reply #43 on:** March 03, 2004, 10:15:45 PM »

DJ, I'm loadin 357, 45LC, 45-70, 223 and just bought a Lee Loader for my 30-06 to play around with. (it doesn't like 110gr Vmaxs

, Itsa Roooger)

thanks,
Ian

Leftoverdj · « **Reply #44 on:** March 04, 2004, 09:59:53 AM »

Wrapped, addressed, ready to go in mail. Be tomorrow before I get to the PO.

There's a box of each of .358 212 RNGC, 457-405HP, .454 255 RNFP, and .30 cal 173 GCs. I forget whether I sized the last .309 or 311.

Haywire Haywood · « **Reply #45 on:** March 04, 2004, 11:32:11 AM »

Much thanks DJ. If I ever get my shrinking band problem worked out, I will send you some .458 325gr GCLFPs and .452 250gr GCLFPs that I have molds for (both Mountainmolds). As of now I'm getting base shrinkage and the GCs aren't crimping tight enough. My boolits are almost never really pretty anyway. Wrinkles are extremely common.

Ian

Leftoverdj · « **Reply #46 on:** March 04, 2004, 09:24:41 PM »

Wrinkles and base shrinkage are mould contamination or casting too cold. Put your blocks in a quart or two of very soapy water and boil them for half an hour. if you are casting hot enough, that should clear it right up.

Only other possibility I can think of is a bad batch of alloy and that's so rare I have never encountered it personally.

Haywire Haywood · « **Reply #47 on:** March 05, 2004, 05:39:45 PM »

Interesting.... Dan told me to lower my temp to 650ish from 800 and use a drilled out ladel for max flow instead of my bottom pour Lee furnace.

I'm up for anything tho.. will be boilin and cranking the temp back up tomorrow. We'll see how it turns out.

Ian