Author Topic: .357 Maximum range report  (Read 966 times)

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Offline Jimbo47

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.357 Maximum range report
« on: January 12, 2009, 11:10:53 AM »
Last week I finally had a chance to ream my .357 mag chamber to max, and loaded some ammo for the first time.

I didn't get a chance to post the results earlier, and a couple days ago I took a nice mature doe at a distance of 110 paces and she dropped in her tracts after taking a Hornady 180 grain XTP bullet in the shoulder from my Handi rifle.

Here is the results from two of my handloads, using a 4X Simmons scope, shooting off a wobbly wooden table with a hard plastic block for a rest, using the sling strap as a cushion at a distance of 50 yards.

The top one is the 180 grain XTP with 18.2 grains of IMR4227, and the bottom is the same bullet with 19.5 grains of IMR4227.

Needless to say I think I found my load!

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 cwlongshot

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Re: .357 Maximum range report
« Reply #1 on: January 12, 2009, 11:14:39 AM »
Jimbo,
 Congratulations on a job well done!! VERY NICE targets!!!!!

 Whats not to love!! ::) ::) ;D :D ;)

CW
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Offline quickdtoo

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Re: .357 Maximum range report
« Reply #2 on: January 12, 2009, 11:15:44 AM »
Nice shooting Jimbo!!  ;)

Tim
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Offline Jimbo47

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Re: .357 Maximum range report
« Reply #3 on: January 12, 2009, 11:28:05 AM »
Jimbo,
 Congratulations on a job well done!! VERY NICE targets!!!!!

 Whats not to love!! ::) ::) ;D :D ;)

CW

Thanks, Guys!

Quiet, and no recoil whatsoever!  I'm not only in love, but also impressed!

After I shot the big doe a young buck probably 2 1/2 years old, wandered out into the clearing, but I let him walk to let him grow for one more season!
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 SM Bob

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Re: .357 Maximum range report
« Reply #4 on: January 12, 2009, 02:38:05 PM »
Sweet Jimbo! That 357 Maximum is really putting some venison in the freezer
this season! I bet it would do a number on hogs too! I can't wait to get my
357 barrel back from H&R so that I can rent that Maximum reamer from 4D
and launch some of those 180 grain XTP's down range!

                      Robert

Offline petemi

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Re: .357 Maximum range report
« Reply #5 on: January 12, 2009, 02:54:55 PM »
I'm wid youse guys :D ;D :D ;D
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
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Offline Lazermule

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Re: .357 Maximum range report
« Reply #6 on: January 12, 2009, 04:06:37 PM »
So after reaming to the 357 max, will these things still shoot the 357 mags and 38 specials ok?  I relize there will be a jump to the rifling but they should still shoot ok right?

LM
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Offline GatCat

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Re: .357 Maximum range report
« Reply #7 on: January 12, 2009, 10:26:47 PM »
Great groups!! What primer did you use??
Mark

Offline Jimbo47

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Re: .357 Maximum range report
« Reply #8 on: January 13, 2009, 12:50:48 AM »
So after reaming to the 357 max, will these things still shoot the 357 mags and 38 specials ok?  I relize there will be a jump to the rifling but they should still shoot ok right?

LM

Next time out I'm going to try some .38 special which I have never shot even before I reamed the chamber, so I'm curious.

The Maximum shoots pretty quiet as is, at least from what I'm used to, so those .38's should sound like an air rifle or not much more louder than low velocity .22's, and as far as comparing accuracy goes we shall see!

I will say this about my rifle, is that in comparing the .357 magnum before I reamed the chamber to maximum, I was a little nervous that I may mess up the accuracy, because it shot so well with the magnums, but I'd have to say the accuracy is even better than the magnum.

A better range and rest I'm sure I could do better, but the range I used leaves a lot to be desired, and would be a bench shooters nightmare, with the way all the wood platforms/tables move when someone else moves and the targets are suspended by parachute cord that dance when the slightest breeze blows, but hey, it's a really cheap place to shoot!

Having said all that, it could be that my handloads match my rifle better than the ammunition I used before, but whichever is the case I'm satisfied that I made the choice to ream it to maximum.

GatCat:   Those primers I used are CCI 400 Small rifle.
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 Badnews Bob

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Re: .357 Maximum range report
« Reply #9 on: January 13, 2009, 02:23:43 AM »
So after reaming to the 357 max, will these things still shoot the 357 mags and 38 specials ok?  I relize there will be a jump to the rifling but they should still shoot ok right?

LM


Yes they still shoot .38s and .357s  Somrtimes oddly enuff better.
Badnews Bob
AE-2 USN retired

Offline OldBob

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Re: .357 Maximum range report
« Reply #10 on: January 13, 2009, 10:39:54 AM »
   Another satisfied customer !!! Best thing I coulda done with my 357 Mag was ream it to MAX. I haven't tried any jacketed bullets yet , got some 180 SSP's to try, but I'm real happy with that Ranch Dog 190 gr cast boolit.
Democracy is two wolves and a lamb voting on what to have for lunch. Liberty is a well-armed lamb contesting the vote." Benjamin Franklin, 1759

Offline Jimbo47

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Re: .357 Maximum range report
« Reply #11 on: January 13, 2009, 04:54:46 PM »
   Another satisfied customer !!! Best thing I coulda done with my 357 Mag was ream it to MAX. I haven't tried any jacketed bullets yet , got some 180 SSP's to try, but I'm real happy with that Ranch Dog 190 gr cast boolit.

I've gotta try some of those 200 grainers Bob!

Just something about a big ole chunk of lead flying down range that gets the blood a pumpin! :o ;D

Edit:  I will try to get to the range this week and shoot the .357 mag. and .38 Special, and post a picture in order to compare them to the ones of the maximum above!

Stay tuned!
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 SM Bob

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Re: .357 Maximum range report
« Reply #12 on: January 13, 2009, 05:42:08 PM »
[quote

I've gotta try some of those 200 grainers Bob!

Just something about a big ole chunk of lead flying down range that gets the blood a pumpin! :o ;D
[/quote]

Words to live by my friend! ;D

                  Robert

Offline remfan

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Re: .357 Maximum range report
« Reply #13 on: January 13, 2009, 10:22:16 PM »
i too was curious  how do these shoot 357   and 38  after reaming?  i understand poi will change    but was wondering if it hurt groups with the big jump into the throat?