Range Report for 357 Magnum

[WILD_WEASEL]

Finally made it out to the Angeles Shooting Range to try out my Buffalo Carbine with 357 barrel!  My load consisted of; 180gr Hornady SSP (.358), 15.5gr of H110, CCI 550 primer, and a Remington 357 Mag case.  At 50 yards these loads grouped into 2”.  I was very impressed with the fact, that as the barrel heated up the point of aim stayed the same and did not drift.  My next trip I'll be trying some Lyman #358315 200gr LRN GC I ordered from Western Bullet Co.  The Lyman Pistol Manual shows loads using up to 16.5 gr of H110 with this bullet.  I'll work up loads using the local indoor range before driving the 60 miles back to Angeles.  I've read about this range for years in Guns & Ammo and really glad I took the time to drive out.  One guy had a semi-auto Browning 30 Cal Machine gun a coupe lanes over, very cool!

[petemi]

My .357 barrel fitted at the factory last Winter, and on another frame now, shoots one ragged hole with 5 shots at 60 yards with American Eagle SJFPs.  Mine is the standard 22 inch barrel.  It shoots better than I can in my old age!  It likes .38 special Lead Round Nose, but won't shoot semi-wad cutters; can't hit anything with them.  I think the taper on the bullet doesn't allow the .38 SWC to lock up properly with the rifling in the .357.  Good luck with it, you're going to love your .357.

[canon6]

WILD WEASEL, H110 is a fine powder for the 357.I as well as a lot of other shooters have  had great success with LilGun in heavy 357 loads.My Rossi 357 loved a 180gr fngc on top of a whole bunch of LilGun ,north of 1800fps out of a 16inch barrel. just for info     Doug

[Ranger J]

My .357 barrel is very picky about what it will shoot.  It has a long throat  and the only thing I can get it to shoot really well are Rem 180 HP loaded very long with a full load of H110.  Hornady 180 XTPs will shoot OK if loaded the same way but not as well as the Rems.  Anything else is all over the target and I mean all over. On a fifty yard target they will often be 8 or 9 inches between shots.  I am thinking of using some heavier bullets to see what will happen.  Will  some of the 200 gr rifle bullets for 35 rifles as they seem to be same diameter?

RJ

[Doublebass73]

My experience with .38 wadcutters has been just the opposite in my .357 Mag. They are by far the most accurate round I've shot.
I've shot 1 1/4" groups at 50 yards with peep sights. Mine also likes Federal 180 grain Powershok hard cast .357's. I use those for deer hunting.

[midwayraider]

MY .357 IS THE SECOND .357 I'VE HAD THE FIRST ONE SHOT 4 & 5 INCH GROUPS AT 100 YARDS . BUT THE ONE I HAVE NOW LOCKS UP ALOT TIGHTER THAN MY FIRST ONE . I PUT IT ON MY BENCH THE OTHER DAY AND WITH MAGTECH 158 GR SJSP'S I SHOT A  ( 1 7/8 IN ) GROUP . IT WOULD HAVE BEEN TIGHTER THAN THAT IF IT HAD NOT BEEN FOR A COUPLE OF FLYERS ( MY SHOOTING, NOT THE GUNS FAULT) 6 OUT OF 10 SHOTS WHERE TOUCHING , I WAS VERY PLEASED. I ALSO TRIED SOME CCI's WITH THE SAME RESULTS. MY .357 HANDI IS MY FAVORITE GUN . I CAN'T WAIT TO GET SOME COR-BON 180's AND TRY THEM ON SOME WHITE TAILS.

[dpe.ahoy]

I  agree with canon6 on the LilGun.  That has replaced H 110 for me in the 357, and is getting alot of use in my heavy 45 colt loads as well.  Haven't put it in the 44 mag yet, but will try it soon.  In the 357, it seems to give more speed at the same pressure as H-110 with 158g and heavier bullets.  DP.