DIY 357max rechamber range report...

[JerryKo]

Just wanted to post how easy this rechamber is.  If you want one read the FAQS, rent a reamer, and reap the rewards!  Its as easy as trimming brass. IMHO

Just wanted to make a quick range report also on my conversion of a 357mag accessory barrel to a 357max DIY.  The original chambering was shooting a 200gr hornady sp just under 1700fps with lilgun.  I wanted to experiment with the loss of velocity due to the jump and found about a 95 fps loss when shooting the mag brass out of a maximum chamber.  Curiosity satisfied, I fired ten more shots at a target 25yrds away over the chrony.  I was only looking for velocity and pressure signs at this time.  My first load was just under 1800fps with the max brass and only one grain more of lilgun.  So I was already surpassing my 357mag loads by simply getting the bullet closer to the lands and adding only 1gr more of powder.  Each shot after that was +1gr of lilgun until I reached my desired velocity.  I managed to reach 2199fps with my last shot, and at this point I noticed some small signs of pressure.  The case was not at all hard to extract but a little resistance was there when I was picking the brass from the chamber.  The exciting part is in over 600fps spread and 10grs of powder difference 10 of the eleven shots could be all but covered by a quarter.  I'm hoping when I load and shoot for accuracy this level of consistency remains.  Again this was off a bench with open sights and only 25yds.  I think I have some potential here.  Before the rechamber this combo was shooting almost as well, but I see it has improved.  I'll post some pics below, they are a little fuzzy because they are cell pictures.

I also had a 22" 45-70 barrel I wanted to shoot some Blackhorn209 out of.  A compressed 36grain weighed charge with a 405gr lasercast had a average muzzle velocity of about 1270fps.  Didn't group well, but I was just wondering.....

Jerry

[myarmor]

Great work Jerry  Looks like you have an excellent shooter as well has a great looking Handi
If and when I ever find a 357 I believe I would do the same.



-Aaron

[quickdtoo]

Kudos Jerry, nice work!! 

Tim

[LaOtto222]

Yep, it looks good, shoots good too

[BrianB]

Curious...is that and SB1 or SB2 frame? 

[petemi]

I'm glad it's working out well for you, Jerry.  I think you'll love it like the rest of us.

I spoke with Jerry on the phone late this morning, before he went to the range and I could tell he was excited about trying it out.

"I love it when a plan comes together"

Pete

[zoner]

sounds like you are getting that max dialed in pretty good....mine is still a 357mag,but if you guys don't stop talking about this stuff i'll probably get maxed up soon..........

[cwlongshot]

Good job man!!

 I am very glad to see the renewed interest in my favorite handi caliber. I'm thinking its time for a second!!!

CW

[dpe.ahoy]

I'm settin' here looking at the last 5 loaded rounds of Max , gonna have to quit working on the cabin and get to reloading.  3 barrels with kids helpin sure goes thru ammo fast.   DP

[Jimbo47]

I love my maxi also.

Getting ready to do some cheap plinking and loading up some .38 special with 148 grain Wad Cutters and 3 grains of Bullseye!

[petemi]

Zoner, ya gotta look in the mirror, realize you're a sick puppy, and get that thing reamed.  You'll never look back.

Pete

[JerryKo]

BrianB...sorry have been busy working on this project.  It has been fired with both a sb1 and sb2.  The only problems I'm seeing with the sb1 is primer flow into the large firing pin hole.  Even with a lower velocity round.  I have refitted it to another sb1 with a much smaller firing pin(still a touch bigger than a sb2 pin) to see how it behaves.  If all is well I may keep it on that sb1.  However,... this one is color case hardened not nickle like the other two. 

Jerry

[JerryKo]

I managed to shoot today even in the drizzle to test a smaller pinned sb1 and the results were much better than the larger firing pinned sb1.  I am not seeing any problems with this frame.  Accuracy at 25yds is still very good.  I want to use this barrel with open sights for now, but would like to check 75 or 100 yard accuracy using a scope.  I'll repost if I get it out there.
 
CW... Your factory 357max on sb1....is it the smaller type firing pin?  Just wondering.

[petemi]

Jerry, you may want to try a red dot on the Max.  I've got them on the .445 Super and one of the two .357s.  I really like them, especially early morning or late afternoon and/or in dark woods.  Unlimited eye relief.  They're great scout mounted.  No Hammer and scope problems.  You use both eyes and never loose your target.  You never see a tangle of brush or branches as you can do with a scope.  The best part is "the Bullet goes where the red dot is" (I'm just gonna havta write a song about that for Patty's band to play).  You don't have to line up anything, center anything.  Put the dot on whatever you're shooting, and the bullet is there.  Much, Much faster for me than a scope at sub-100 yard shots.  I have shot them both at 300 yards, but the dot is too big for the target at that range.  I hate to admit it, but a red dot is going on my .357 Blackhawk real soon.

Pete

This is Patty Playing "The Bullet Goes Where the Red Dot Is".

[JerryKo]

Wallyworld has a redot tasco? 30mm for 39 bucks.  Is this the type you are using?  Or are you using the 1 inch compact types?  From your other posts I had been thinking of trying but never have yet.  Thanks Pete.

Jerry

[cwlongshot]

IIRC its a small firing pin, but its a case colored receiver form the late 70's early 80's. I'll check later or tomarrow.

CW