.357 accuracy between cartridges?

[Jimbo47]

Just posted the question below on anothers topic, and realized I had just hi-jacked his post, so I decided to post it under it's own heading!

Quote from: Badnews Bob on Yesterday at 12:16:42 PM
I use max loads with hardcast 180s and I've never had a failure to take game, most of my hunting is inside of 100 yrds and I feel that the .357 is just so handy in the woods. I've taken several with my handgun out to 70 yrds or sowith excellent results. The handie rifle just makes is a little easier. And like quick says mine shoot 360 DW just fine to, But I also have a Max and another .357 that I think I'll make into a .35 Rem, I like .357 bullets.

BTW a Max lets you shoot .38s, ,357s, 360 DW, and .357 Max out of one barrel, Kinda handie.  Pun intended.

This last statement about being able to shoot four different cartridges in one barrel has made my little pea brain work overtime since I recently acquired my .357 which I just reamed to max a few days ago.

I haven't shot it yet, but expect to as soon as I can get the time to load up some brass for it, so I'll be able to answer my own question I guess soon enough when I get to the range.......But!

Has anyone fired that variety of ammo, say after you've zeroed your rifle say with .357 max or any of the other cartridges, and shooting at a distance of say 50 yards or so, and have found any kind of consistent accuracy between the cartridges? 

I guess with reloading you could work up the loads that they would all hit in or near the same point of impact, or am I just dreaming, and soon to be hit with a good dose of reality, once I wake up, and try it for myself? 

I just figured you all needed a good laugh this morning!  

[Badnews Bob]

I shoot so many loads its hard to remember it all, but several loads don't change POI at all of course the light wadcutters don't hit where the heavy maxies hit but most of them at close range are in the park, enuff so that after a few shots I can adjust my aim and hit whatever I am shooting at, Probably wellenuff to take a rabbit or squrrel.

[Graybeard]

This last statement about being able to shoot four different calibers in one barrel has made my little pea brain work overtime since I recently acquired my .357 which I just reamed to max a few days ago.

Let's begin by getting correct terminology straight. Caliber refers to bore diameter so all four are the same caliber not four different calibers which is the ONLY reason they can all fire from the same chamber. Correct terminology is four different cartridges.

Sure in a pinch all can be but do not assume that point of impact will be near enough to same to use without resighting for each. Maybe you'll luck up and maybe you won't.

[Jimbo47]

Thanks Bill for setting me straight with that terminology! (edited)

I guess my pea brain that early in the morning needs to be given time to get on the same page with my fingers.

Anyway, that kind of answered my question, and I figured as much as why I limited the range to fifty yards as my limit range between cartridges.

That said, I think Bob answered the question best as referring to it as wellenuff accuracy, and I would agree on resighting if going after larger game at greater distances.

YMMV would apply here!

Thanks for the replies!

[LaOtto222]

I do not know about Bob, but mine shoots considerable lower with 38 specials than 357 Max loads. I am running 180 gran bullets at 2000+ fps vs 158 lead bullets at maybe 800 fps, maybe less. There is as much as a foot difference at 50 yards; maybe more. The 38 Specials are VERY quite, I am pretty sure all of the powder has long since burnt up by the time the lead bullet reaches the crown and it does not seem to recoil at all. 357 Mags shoot lower than a Max too, but not nearly so low.