H&R 357 Magnum/38 special

[dannyfro]

I do reload and have a good setup to reload either 357 or 44 mag....I have heard a lot of good about the max. How difficult is it to ream it out?

Dan

[cwlongshot]

Very simple! 
 You need to clear the clips regularly, (I do it every turn) Then when the rim gets close watch CLOSELY as you do NOT want to cut the rim recess any deeper.
 
Many fined accuracy INCREASE after reaming! 
 
As for head position, I am speaking of shooting a Handi, other platforms are different and the AR is very different.
 
Yes, to some degree different body builds have an effect on a rifle site/mount. But the design of the stock on a conventional rifle (like the H&R) allows for this. On a AR the butt is straight behind and round.... On a conventional rifle the stock has drop or raise and may be cut to allow formed cheek weld. in short, the rifle fits you, you do not fit the rifle. If your craning your neck up or sideways its not good. Your head should only tilt a bit to get scope alignment. If you need more the butt is not placed properly to the shoulder. Tough to get this across via a key board. But if you have a gun club you belong to see if you can get involved with some hi power shooters. Find someone with some experience and just watch him/her shoot. Be open minded and let what you see sink in. If available see if one of them can coach you.
This is something we have done for many years. My primary discipline is pistol, but I also shoot rifle and air pistol. Your shooting will improve I can guarantee it!
 
CW

[dannyfro]

With the ability to go to Max it would seem like a versatile plinker.

Dan

[gcrank1]

When reaming I would have a dummy of a loaded round  to check the chamber as I got close and not just depend on the reamer specs or the rim seat as 'the bottom'.

[dannyfro]

Thanks for the advice. I am really chomping at the bit.

Dan

[cwlongshot]

What I did was paint the existing rim cut with red dykem. (Magic marker would work just as well) your doing this by hand and SLOWLY. remember one turn remove and clean off chips and blow out the chambers. Now look CLOSE at the rim cut. If the dykem is touched STOP. Be sure its not a chip, blow out the chamber and very slowly turn the reamer again with no pressure. Look at rim cut again.
 
Dropping in a sized case is a good idea once its clean. The case should be perfectly flush with the breech. Drop a straight edge across the barrel. It should contact the case AND the barrel.
(I just snapped this pic for Peter. Its a 308 in my 307 chamber)


 
CW

[dannyfro]

How do you like the 307 Win?

Dan

[cwlongshot]

How do you like the 307 Win?

Dan

I love it!  But I always like the not so common or main stream calibers. Truth be told my 30-30 will do 90% of what the 307 can. And the 308 more.   But I like rims on my handi calibers and I don't push it with my loadings.

It shoots H335 powder and a 165 Speer RN at just under 2600 fps into almost one hole at 50 yards.

With a 308 and that same 165 at over 2700 it did about one inch at 100. I'm not so hung up on velocity as long as the caliber has a good weight bullet it will have adaquite energy to do the job. I look at a bullets energy the same as the torque ratings from engines. HP and velocity may look good and attract buyers. But torque gets the job done as does a bullets energy.

Looking HARD at a 356 next spring!!!
 
CW

[Antietamgw]

Very simple! 
 You need to clear the clips regularly, (I do it every turn) Then when the rim gets close watch CLOSELY as you do NOT want to cut the rim recess any deeper.
 
Many fined accuracy INCREASE after reaming! 

 
CW

Part of the reason I think some see better accuracy after reaming might be explained in the photo. I made a throat slug of a factory .357 chamber/throat as I wondered what the factory throat looked like. Can't believe it shot cast at all, bouncing around through that toilet bowl leade 'till it finally found rifling. "Fixing" the throat and lead with the .357 Max reamer, I think, gives a smoother transition and a throat/leade that isn't so hard on soft bullets.

[mo_bio]

This handi rifle affliction hit me about a month ago.  The first store bought one was a 357 "for my daughter" and then I stumbled onto a used set also with a 357 (I have two daughters so I had to be fair).  I bought two 357 handis in one week and they both shoot very well.  Will make 357 maxis out of both of them when my turn comes with the reamer.

[cwlongshot]

Very simple! 
 You need to clear the clips regularly, (I do it every turn) Then when the rim gets close watch CLOSELY as you do NOT want to cut the rim recess any deeper.
 
Many fined accuracy INCREASE after reaming! 

 
CW

Part of the reason I think some see better accuracy after reaming might be explained in the photo. I made a throat slug of a factory .357 chamber/throat as I wondered what the factory throat looked like. Can't believe it shot cast at all, bouncing around through that toilet bowl leade 'till it finally found rifling. "Fixing" the throat and lead with the .357 Max reamer, I think, gives a smoother transition and a throat/leade that isn't so hard on soft bullets.

Yes you are correct, our reamer cleans up the "trashy" factory throat and allows for a smooth and propper transition into the rifling. resulting in better accuracy... 
 
CW

[BAGTIC]

I have a Handi in factory original .357 Maximum. I shoot round balls from .357 Magnum brass for small game, squirrels & rabbits including jack rabbits. I load 4 grains of Red Dot and use a dowel to seat the ball tight on the powder. Powder burns real clean and consistent with the compressed charge. Nice quiet small game load.  Quieter than a ,22 LR. Never had to shoot anything twice.

[dannyfro]

There is certainly something unique and special about the oddball cartridges CW I myself enjoy them. It presents a new although minimal element to your hunting experience. Thanks for all the great info guys.


Dan

[briannmilewis]

I have a Handi in factory original .357 Maximum. I shoot round balls from .357 Magnum brass for small game, squirrels & rabbits including jack rabbits. I load 4 grains of Red Dot and use a dowel to seat the ball tight on the powder. Powder burns real clean and consistent with the compressed charge. Nice quiet small game load.  Quieter than a ,22 LR. Never had to shoot anything twice.

What size ball do you shoot?

[gcrank1]

Typically in a cartridge anything you want to use as large a dia. roundball (yes, and conicals too) as you can thumb press flush into the mouth and smear some lube over the top. I have used my .358 sizing die to put a 'shank' on some .375s (for the .36 C&B rev.) and press them in flush too; works GREAT, more bearing surface to grab rifling.