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Author Topic: .357 mag  (Read 1270 times)

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Offline ShrnShndl

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.357 mag
« on: February 01, 2014, 07:01:10 AM »
My first Handi was a 45-70 purchased a couple months ago.  Outstanding with cast bullets, chamber is perfect.  My new Handi is a .357 mag, the chamber is endless!  I think I need some .360 or .357 maxi brass to play with. This rifle will only be used for light loads so I don't really want to make it a maxi.    So far I can't find any bullet long enough to come close to the rifling.  Is this chamber a common problem?  If so, what do you guys do?  Thanks in advance.


Jim
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Offline quickdtoo

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Re: .357 mag
« Reply #1 on: February 01, 2014, 07:07:12 AM »
It's a SAAMI spec chamber, they're all that way, load the bullets longer in mag brass, or use longer brass, some can use 360DW without trimming, some can't, some can even use slightly trimmed Maxi brass. The advantage of the Maxi rechamber is if a rifle reamer is used it also cuts the leade into the rifling at an angle that improves accuracy with all rounds which includes 38 Spl and 357 mag when used in the rechambered barrel. Post a want to buy ad for brass in the Reloading Equipment and Supplies Classified forum, we don't allow buying/selling/trading in discussion forums.

Tim

http://www.gboreloaded.com/forums/hr-centerfire-rifles/357-handi-rifle-throat-depth/msg1098446320/#msg1098446320
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Offline petemi

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Re: .357 mag
« Reply #2 on: February 01, 2014, 07:08:42 AM »
Yes, it is fairly common. You can try the .360 brass, but I'd go ahead and ream it to Maxi.  I've not heard of one instance where it didn't improve performance with .38s, mags and light loads.  Make sure you use the forum reamer for the best leade and throat.

Pete
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The growing Handi/Sportster/Pardner/Topper Family:  .22 WMR, .22-250. 223, Two Superlight 7mm-08s and one .243, .30-30,  .308, 32-20, 18 inch .356/.358 Win., Two 16.5 inch .357 Max., 18 inch 38-55 BC Carbine, 16.5 inch .445 Super Mag., .45LC, 16.5 and 22 inch .45-70s, .50 Huntsman SS, .410, 20 ga., 12 ga., 20 ga. Pardner Pump, Versa-Pack .410 - .22
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Offline Badnews Bob

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Re: .357 mag
« Reply #3 on: February 01, 2014, 09:21:31 AM »
If it shoots well, Don't worry about it.  I shoot .38s out of my max all the time. It will shoot half inch groups with pop gun load .38s at 25 to 50 yards.
 I use 3.5 grains of titegroup with 125 grain cast in .38 cases, You can see the bullet going downrange when the light is right, They will shoot inside MOS at 100 yards, MOS= Minute Of Sodacan. I have one that .360DWs fit in like it was made for it thou.

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Offline Dinny

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Re: .357 mag
« Reply #4 on: February 01, 2014, 01:39:21 PM »
I shoot light Trail Boss loads in my Max with great results. I say ream it! You will not be disappointed.

Thanks, Dinny
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Offline ShrnShndl

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Re: .357 mag
« Reply #5 on: February 01, 2014, 02:00:19 PM »
Thanks for all the info.  Quickdtoo, sorry I wasn't thinking in my first post.  How do I go about renting the maxi reamer?  How much skill does it take to ream it?  Do I need anything other than the reamer to do the job?  Thanks again for all the help.


Jim
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Offline cwlongshot

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Re: .357 mag
« Reply #6 on: February 01, 2014, 02:56:31 PM »
Quote from: ShrnShndl on February 01, 2014, 02:00:19 PM
Thanks for all the info.  Quickdtoo, sorry I wasn't thinking in my first post.  How do I go about renting the maxi reamer?  How much skill does it take to ream it?  Do I need anything other than the reamer to do the job?  Thanks again for all the help.
Jim

Hello Jim,

 Reaming is CAKE! Actually you will spend more time unpackaging the reamer than doing the actual reaming!!

The link is in the stickied threads at the top of this page.

The important part is depth. You DO NOT want to cut the rim at all! So you run the reamer in using lots of oil and careful turns. Frequently removing the reamer to clean off burrs and blow out the chamber. Until the rim JUST TOUCHES your existing rim cut. Once you get to the rim depth cut STOP, your done!!!

Package it back up and return!!

CW
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Offline revbc

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Re: .357 mag
« Reply #7 on: February 01, 2014, 04:13:27 PM »
Good lighting and good magnification is all that's needed to see the cutter when it approaches the rim, especially if your a little older..............opps I mean short armed ;)
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Offline Jimbo47

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Re: .357 mag
« Reply #8 on: February 01, 2014, 04:59:24 PM »
Ream it if only to improve how it will shoot!   You can load your .357 bullets long using 357 mag brass to increase case capacity to near .357 Max loads.
I can shoot 38 specials that hit 2" high at 50 yards, and they sound like a pop gun, and my Maxi loads hit equal to the 38's at 50 and are zero at 100 yards, so no need to resight my rifle if I want to shoot 38's or .357 Max. that is as long as I don't push the 38's too much beyond 50 yards which I wouldn't anyway
The .357 mag will amaze you at what it can do!
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My culled down Handi's are the 45-70, and then I have a few others to keep it company...357 Mag/Max. .45 LC/.454 Casull Carbine, .243 Ultra, and 20 gauge Tracker II.

Offline LedLobber

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Re: .357 mag
« Reply #9 on: February 01, 2014, 08:44:45 PM »
Hey all. Sorry to ask in this topic, but it seems appropriate. I just picked up a New Handi in .357 that is on the SB1 Frame? Is it SAFE to do the reaming to .357 Maxi on the SB1 Frame? I am getting ready to measure my chamber, so this is why I ask. Couldn't find the answer to this in the Faq. Thanks All.
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Offline petemi

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Re: .357 mag
« Reply #10 on: February 01, 2014, 10:41:25 PM »
It is in the FAQs.  You must have missed it.  Here's the link.

http://www.gboreloaded.com/forums/hr-centerfire-rifles/357-max-on-the-sb1-frame/msg1098896739/#msg1

Pete
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Keep both eyes open and make the first shot good.
The growing Handi/Sportster/Pardner/Topper Family:  .22 WMR, .22-250. 223, Two Superlight 7mm-08s and one .243, .30-30,  .308, 32-20, 18 inch .356/.358 Win., Two 16.5 inch .357 Max., 18 inch 38-55 BC Carbine, 16.5 inch .445 Super Mag., .45LC, 16.5 and 22 inch .45-70s, .50 Huntsman SS, .410, 20 ga., 12 ga., 20 ga. Pardner Pump, Versa-Pack .410 - .22
[size=7.4 pt]PLEASE DONATE TO THE GBO SERVER FUND  We're closer to the goal but not there yet, we can still use more donations, thanks

http://www.gboreloaded.com/forums/index.php/topic,191112.msg1098959491.html#msg1098959491

Offline cwlongshot

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Re: .357 mag
« Reply #11 on: February 02, 2014, 01:04:43 AM »
Quote from: LedLobber on February 01, 2014, 08:44:45 PM
Hey all. Sorry to ask in this topic, but it seems appropriate. I just picked up a New Handi in .357 that is on the SB1 Frame? Is it SAFE to do the reaming to .357 Maxi on the SB1 Frame? I am getting ready to measure my chamber, so this is why I ask. Couldn't find the answer to this in the Faq. Thanks All.

YUP, its asked ALL the time. (And its in the FAQ's.) You are just fine. SB2 is preferred for the margin for error.

Enjoy,

CW
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Offline LedLobber

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Re: .357 mag
« Reply #12 on: February 02, 2014, 08:56:04 AM »
Quote from: petemi on February 01, 2014, 10:41:25 PM
It is in the FAQs.  You must have missed it.  Here's the link.

http://www.gboreloaded.com/forums/hr-centerfire-rifles/357-max-on-the-sb1-frame/msg1098896739/#msg1

Pete


I did Miss it. THANK YOU for the Link!!! ;D
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Offline nanuk-O-dah-Nort

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Re: .357 mag
« Reply #13 on: February 03, 2014, 02:40:56 PM »
.
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Offline Dinny

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Re: .357 mag
« Reply #14 on: February 03, 2014, 02:55:49 PM »
I've never reamed one. Do you have to remove the extractor?

Thanks, Dinny
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Offline schoolmaster

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Re: .357 mag
« Reply #15 on: February 03, 2014, 03:04:53 PM »
It works better if you remove the extractor.  Piece of cake really.
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Offline YRUpunting?

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Re: .357 mag
« Reply #16 on: February 03, 2014, 03:08:57 PM »
Quote from: -Dinny on February 03, 2014, 02:55:49 PM
I've never reamed one. Do you have to remove the extractor?

Thanks, Dinny

Dinny you should know better. ::)  It's in the FAQ! :) :D ;D

http://www.gboreloaded.com/forums/hr-centerfire-rifles/another-356w-thread-updated/msg1099475104/#msg1099475104
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Offline Dinny

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Re: .357 mag
« Reply #17 on: February 03, 2014, 03:43:09 PM »
Tośche  ;)

Thanks,  Dinny
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Handi Family: 357 Max, 45 LC, 45-70, 300 BLK, 50 cal Huntsman, and 348 Win.

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Offline jeepmann1948

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Re: .357 mag
« Reply #18 on: February 04, 2014, 01:54:28 AM »
Hey is a NON COM  they let the two stripers read to them ;D
George
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Offline jpshaw

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Re: .357 mag
« Reply #19 on: February 04, 2014, 02:32:11 AM »
Mine takes .360 DW brass fine.  I can load 180 grain Hornady XTP and crimp at the first groove (nearest the base).  As long as you put it on an SB2 frame you can load that thing to where reaming to maxi is pointless.
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