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Post by parson on Apr 20, 2010 11:12:35 GMT -5
I just reamed my Handi to 357 maximum.I had some misgivings, but it was an extremely easy process. I haven't had a chance to shoot it yet, was gonna go to Wilbur Wright today, but found out they're closed Monday & Tuesday.
Anybody here shoot a max? If so, what loads do you use?
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Post by Decatur on Apr 20, 2010 12:14:29 GMT -5
Did you do it yourself, or pay to get it done?
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Post by dbd870 on Apr 20, 2010 12:59:16 GMT -5
I have been using H110 & 158XTP's out of my 8" barrel. But I sent my carbine barrel out to have the same thing done. I'm going to try some 180gr SSP's in it when I get it back.
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Post by parson on Apr 20, 2010 15:07:14 GMT -5
Did it myself Decatur. Tim, over at Graybeard outdoors site has a reamer that he rents to members for $20. It took less than 20 minutes once I had the extractor removed from the barrel.
dbd870, I'd like to hear how those 180 ssp work for you. My granddaughter shot her first deer last year with this 357 mag Handi, using one of my loads with a Remington 158 gr. jhp. She dropped the deer with a neck shot, but the bullet pretty well fragmented.
I'm thinking that the maximum will need a tougher bullet. I have one mold that drops a bullet that, with gas check, weighs in at 170 grains. I'm looking forward to getting to the range.
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Post by dbd870 on Apr 20, 2010 17:55:54 GMT -5
Me too, especially in a carbine. The SSP got good feedback from some 35Rem users so I figured I'd give it a try.
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Post by parson on Apr 20, 2010 18:23:05 GMT -5
Found good info at 357maximum.com, they recommend the SSP. They also have some pretty good load references. Although, some of what they list is pretty hot. I'm not one for pushing the limits when handloading, I'll likely stay well within limits in the manuals.
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Post by Decatur on Apr 20, 2010 19:43:21 GMT -5
Can't wait until we see how this round performs for you, in the game and accuracy departments!
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Post by danf on Apr 20, 2010 21:35:26 GMT -5
I got decent results from my Contender 14" barrel using 19.5 gr of W296 (which is the same as H110) and a 180 gr Hornady XTP. I only shot one doe with it and the bullet fragmented somewhat severely, though the shot was taken at less than 20 yards. If you are using a cast bullet, you certainly want a gas-checked pill. I tried some non-GC cast in mine (175 gr, IIRC) and couldn't get any decent accuracy at the velocities the max pushes them at. I do have some ~210 gr heavies that grouped decently well, I *think* that load was around 16.5 gr of W296 but I'm not positive. Heavier bullets generally will work better in the max. Remember to use small rifle primers.  |
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Post by parson on Apr 21, 2010 6:43:37 GMT -5
Danf
What you say about heavier bullets seems to be the opinion of others as well. I'm thinking about a 190 gr gas checked mold. I am in hopes that I can get decent results with cast. I did find CCI small rifle primers at Bradis for $32 a brick.
Do you have any idea what velocity you got with those 210 grainers? I would imagine that the longer Handi barrel will boost it some.
If things go as planned I'm going to get over to WIlbur Wright range tomorrow and try 'er out.
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Post by danf on Apr 22, 2010 5:24:42 GMT -5
I honestly don't know the velocity of the 210's. IIRC, Dave and I ran the XTP's over the chrony last May and they were coming out around 16-1700 fps, but those weren't great loads due to the scale I was using. Good luck.  |
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Post by parson on Apr 22, 2010 6:00:05 GMT -5
I don't have access to a chrony, but it looks like I might make it to the range today for a while. From what I've read, 2000 fps with 180 grain isn't hard to acheive out of these rifles. AA 1680 powder seems to popular for this caliber. May pick up a lb. of it.
Hope to get some decent accuracy out of this rifle. It shot pretty well prior to reaming.
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Post by parson on Apr 22, 2010 13:12:53 GMT -5
Made it over to Wilbur Wright this morning. 50 yards is their longest range. The max definitely likes longer bullets. 170 grainers did pretty good, one 5 shot group had 4 touching. Lighter1i58 gr. didn't shoot nearly as good.
Also was using medium loads of 2400. I'm gonna try a little hotter load, perhaps with 180 gr. bullets.
All in all, I'm fairly satisfied with the first outing. I'd like to get a deer or two with it this fall.
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Post by Decatur on Apr 22, 2010 14:21:33 GMT -5
Sounds promising!
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Post by danf on Apr 22, 2010 17:49:34 GMT -5
2400 and Lil' Gun are two others that I see mentioned a lot for the max.
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Post by danf on Apr 22, 2010 21:41:37 GMT -5
Whooooops, it's 4227 and LG that I see mentioned the most...
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Post by parson on Apr 23, 2010 6:02:27 GMT -5
Appreciate all suggestions. I'll be experimenting between now and November.
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