Author Topic: 10" contender 357 mag. (Read 649 times)

jro45 · « **on:** March 16, 2005, 10:07:56 AM »

I sighted in my 10" contender 357 Mag today at 100 yds. It filled the 2.5" target full of holes. I use H110 for powder. It real accurate. What kind of powder do you use?

Redhawk1 · « **Reply #1 on:** March 16, 2005, 10:49:01 AM »

I am using Lil' Gun in mine.

Racepres · « **Reply #2 on:** March 16, 2005, 12:29:31 PM »

I also use H110 w/ similar results.. BTW Just in case you didn't know, I was told years ago (and numerous times since) that the 357 mag was the absolute least useful contender chambering!! HA!!!! Sure are alot of fun tho huh??? Marty

Sverre A. · « **Reply #3 on:** March 16, 2005, 12:45:17 PM »

What bullet and how many grains with H110 do you use?

fyrepowrx · « **Reply #4 on:** March 16, 2005, 12:58:56 PM »

I have used both Blue Dot & H110 quite a bit... i like the way 110 flows from a measure, and drops more consistently than flake powders like blue dot.

I have also had pretty good luck with Accurate #9...in the contender, i seem to have better luck with 110/AA9, and in my 8" Smith it seems to prefer Blue dot.

As for bullets, i usually shoot the Sierra 170 JHC when hunting, it seems to shoot well in all my .357's. The contenders like the hornady 180 XTP, as do my contenders in .357 Maximum & .357 Bain & Davis. The Smith does not like the 180 XTP at all.

I will check load data this evening to see what powder charge weight i am using in the contenders.

Redhawk, i would imagine Lil Gun with its slower burn rate should make a pretty good fireball in low light doesnt it? i have never tried it in a .357 but think i will, i had some signs of high-pressure spikes using it in small cases like the .256 Win Mag & the .221 fireball so i sort of set it aside for a while...should be dandy in the .357 for heavier bullets/longer barrels..

Racepres · « **Reply #5 on:** March 16, 2005, 02:20:55 PM »

My bbl shoots almost any 125 to 158 gr bullet real well with published loads of H-110.. But I note that the load I shoot most, cause it is the most accurate, happens to be a remington 140 gr JHP w/ (a max load according to speer #10) I don't put the load here as speer #13 differs greatly.. Whatever works for you in your gun... have fun w/ it. Marty

Jim S · « **Reply #6 on:** March 16, 2005, 04:02:02 PM »

I have a 10" I bought from a good friend and I have been shooting 17.0/296/158XTP/Mag primer and getting good results , 2" range at 100 yards is fine with me. I have a box ,500 */- 140 Remingtons I'll have to try the Speer #10 load. The most accurate 357 mag load I have tried in the TC and a truckload of revolvers is 15.0/2400/146 Speer 3/4 jacket and a std primer. To my great sorrow I think the 146 speer has been dropped , or at least none of my regular suppliers carry it any more.
I do not see why anyone would say the 357 is useless because I find it to be a fun all arround caliber. A little light on deer , but I've killed several with it and careful shot placement, a little heavy on recoil to shoot a NRA short slihoutte class --but I won a couple of trophies with it , a little slow to reload in a TC --make the first shot count. Enjoy your 357 barrel it is one of the good ones !

Redhawk1 · « **Reply #7 on:** March 17, 2005, 12:49:40 AM »

fyrepowrx, you are correct about the fire ball. It is quit noticeable, but it is accurate.

jro45 · « **Reply #8 on:** March 17, 2005, 10:31:23 AM »

Quote from: Sverre A.

What bullet and how many grains with H110 do you use?

I use 14.5gr of H110 with the 158gr HP/XTP bullet.

flyfisher · « **Reply #9 on:** March 18, 2005, 08:55:27 AM »

For groundhogs: 110gr. Hornady XTP hollow points and 2400.
For larger targets: 158gr. Hornady XTP flat points and 2400.
I like the 2400...burns fast...burns reasonably clean...decent accuracy.