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Author Topic: Favorite powder for 357 maxi handi rifle  (Read 677 times)

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Offline revbc

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Favorite powder for 357 maxi handi rifle
« on: January 23, 2009, 05:47:29 PM »
Out of 296 or AA1680 or maybe others for the heavier bullets, what is your favorite?  Reasons?

Bobby
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Offline Jimbo47

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Re: Favorite powder for 357 maxi handi rifle
« Reply #1 on: January 23, 2009, 10:58:09 PM »
Although I'm new at the reloading and maxi game, I did some research and while reading past threads I narrowed it down to about four powders, and for no other reason, than just picking one, I came up with IMR4227 loaded with the minimum suggested load under a 180 grain Hornady XTP bullet and at fifty yards which produced one three shot ragged hole.

I don't shoot a lot of paper but I'm a hunter, and a three shot ragged hole isn't necessary to get me to smile, but I'm still smiling so IMR4227 would be my favorite.
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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 Datil

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Re: Favorite powder for 357 maxi handi rifle
« Reply #2 on: January 23, 2009, 11:58:43 PM »

 I started out using H110 now using AA 1680  Marv.
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Offline Badnews Bob

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Re: Favorite powder for 357 maxi handi rifle
« Reply #3 on: January 24, 2009, 01:40:09 AM »
AA1680 works very well but I get a little more speed and a tighter  groups with IMR 4227. I dont use anything else in the max anymore. 8)
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Offline cwlongshot

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Re: Favorite powder for 357 maxi handi rifle
« Reply #4 on: January 24, 2009, 01:46:55 AM »
There is but one powder burnt in my maxi....AA1680. ;D ;D

 Others certainly will work and in your gun may surpass my results. But once I found how well my handi shot with AA1680 there was no reason for me to look anyfarther.

 Suggestions to try might be H/IMR 4227 (As already suggested) The twins H110/W296, #9, Lil-gun and 2400. Check your manuals...

CW
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Offline LONGTOM

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Re: Favorite powder for 357 maxi handi rifle
« Reply #5 on: January 24, 2009, 03:48:07 PM »
With targets like those I wouldn't change either!
Hope mine shoots that good when I get it up and running.


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Offline cwlongshot

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Re: Favorite powder for 357 maxi handi rifle
« Reply #6 on: January 24, 2009, 04:09:46 PM »
Quote from: LONGTOM on January 24, 2009, 03:48:07 PM
With targets like those I wouldn't change either!
Hope mine shoots that good when I get it up and running.


LONGTOM
Don't fret on it for one second!!  It will!!!!  ;D ;D

Mine just got its intended scope back tonight.... Wanna guess what it got?  ::) ::) ::)

 I had a PENTAX on it and it was fine, actually not as good as it was with the Leupold. I found out why when I was swapping scopes. The rings base screws loosened up!!!  Not a lot, but they def where not tite, only snug. CHECK those scope and base screws!!! That's fixed!!  ;D ;D ;D

I also resurrected another frame and dedicated it to the 30-30. So now the 45-70 AND the 30-30 have dedicated frames. Now I only need 7 more frames and everything will be its own firearm... ::) ::) :D ::)

CW
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Offline Jimbo47

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Re: Favorite powder for 357 maxi handi rifle
« Reply #7 on: January 25, 2009, 02:13:22 AM »
Favorite powder is the one that works, and the one's mentioned all work really well as several have reported, so with the .357 maxi, it seems to be very forgiving, so just pick one, work up a load that your gun likes, and have fun!

Now that said, I'll get off topic a little.

You are right CW!   It feels good to have those orphaned barrels and receivers of mine finally dedicated to their own.

I've got three Handi's that are put together without any one being an original rifle, and they all shoot great.

Still have one barrel that needs a mate though!
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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 Graycg

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Re: Favorite powder for 357 maxi handi rifle
« Reply #8 on: January 25, 2009, 10:42:38 AM »
AA1680 and H110 for Jacketed bullets and Unique and 4227 for cast bullets.  Don't underestimate the usefulness of Cast bullets in the Max!

regards,
 Graycg
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Offline Hopalong7

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Re: Favorite powder for 357 maxi handi rifle
« Reply #9 on: January 26, 2009, 01:58:28 AM »
For longer than I can remember my standard Max load was anything .357 in diameter and 180 gr or more over a healthy dose of WW680 and it would shoot.  I went into convulsions in the early to mid '90's when "Big Red" announced the end of the 680.  I squirreled away all I could find and refused to use it for anything but the Max.  Now I'm about half way through my next to last 1lb can and doin' a little spear-a-minting, have found AA1680 to be the next best thing.  Accuracy is about equal and velocity is close(I've been letting up on the throttle a little bit in recent years anyway).  This was all in Contenders, but I doubt it changes much in Handi's.  My next Handi barrel( I hope! )is gonna be a .357 anyway.
GOOD SHOOTIN', Walt  :)
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