Author Topic: 357 What am I missing ? (Read 1673 times)

stimpylu32 · « **on:** April 28, 2012, 08:27:28 AM »

Maybe its just me , I've had a 357 Mag barrel for almost 2 years now and have maybe put 20 rounds through it , I load and shoot both 38 spl and 357 mag handguns , but for some reason I just don't shoot the rifle .

Maybe its because here in Ohio I can't use it for deer and I have better choices for the other hunting I do , Is there something I'm missing or have I completly lost my mind , Or is it that I just don't see the big picture ?

stimpy

bigvarmnt · « **Reply #1 on:** April 28, 2012, 08:31:34 AM »

They're just fun to shoot

gendoc · « **Reply #2 on:** April 28, 2012, 08:38:28 AM »

stimpy, i thank that sum folks here getta big rush when hand ream'n to max
and it works after its done !!!

Deerhunter#1 · « **Reply #3 on:** April 28, 2012, 08:45:15 AM »

Well i dont know the ohio regs but you are rite if you cant use it and have other weapons that you use more no need. That said it is a fun gun to just shoot but then again a good old 22lr or even a 223 is still cheaper for just plinking. I will say that I have the same issues here in PA where I live it is bow and shotgun/muzzeloader only unless I travel over an hour. My area gives me deer opportunity with any of these weapons starting 2nd week september with bow and with all from thanksgiving till the end of January with unlimited deer as long as you purchase the extra doe tags. So I keep telling myself why is it that I have all these other calibers when i can only use them 2 weeks out of the year? And by the time rifle season is here I usually have already filled my buck tag. All of that but there is no way I would trade my 357 max

dave29 · « **Reply #4 on:** April 28, 2012, 11:44:55 AM »

I have 4 rifles in .357 Max. I use mine as a deer gun in Indiana. But, this year, there are more options, so I haven't made up my mind yet.

just-an-illusion · « **Reply #5 on:** April 28, 2012, 12:18:37 PM »

Sell it to me then. They are just plain fun to shoot, and are a great beginner round for kids. My daughter just turned 5 and I plan to start her centerfire shooting on a 38/357 handy, after she wears out her new Daisy BB rifle. I've had the handy bug again for a few years and just picked up a 223. I would love to have a 357 and a 44 barrel. I can promise it will have plenty of rounds put through it.

tallyho · « **Reply #6 on:** April 28, 2012, 02:45:40 PM »

Stimpy, I won't answer for you, but I will speak for myself.

My NEF 357 is one of two calibers (the other is .22LR) in Handis that I will keep until the "cold dead hands" moment comes. I shoot mostly .38 spl in it. My wife and kids love it. It is easy and relatively cheap to load for. It is relatively quiet, and low recoil. It has a simple straight grip PW stock, slightly bumped and scratched. I like the balance (18.5" barrel with factory front and rear Williams aperture sight). I don't use it for hunting 'cause I haven't hunted for a few years now (but I could and would). I will be taking it on a camping trip with my teenaged son this summer, along with a couple of .22s. I put it in a case and in the car, every time I go to the range, but I don't always take it to the firing line.

That being said, when I get all logical and stuff, and finally ask myself "Why don't I shoot it more?" the first thing that comes up in my head is NOT a logical response, but an emotional one. I shot my first Eastern Whitetail 30 years ago with a Rossi M-92 in .357, and when I moved back to the wet coast twenty years ago, I shot my first Coastal Blacktail with a Handi Gun II in 357. In addition, the first centerfire rifle each of my kids fired was a Handi in .357, and that included them loading their own ammo to shoot.

So, even though what I have are not the same ones I harvest my deer with, I'm keeping a .357 Rossi lever gun, and a 357 Handi... just because I want to! No other answer is required.

tallyho · « **Reply #7 on:** April 28, 2012, 02:48:41 PM »

... meant to make an edit...

jpshaw · « **Reply #8 on:** April 29, 2012, 02:05:29 AM »

I don't shoot mine much either. Actually bought it after a Louisiana Game Warden said that a .357 was just a supped up .38 therefore legal for Louisiana's Primitive Season. Louisiana requires a .38 minimum on Primitive. After I bought it and worked up a load in .360 DW I asked a Warden at the State level and was told definitly not. .38 requires it to be just that and .357 would only be legal during the normal season. So it just sits now. Plinking for me, is done by a .22LR and a .22 Mag. Cheaper, no loading time and is good for most things up to Yotes.

Edited to say; My cold dead hands Handi is my .30-30.

LaOtto222 · « **Reply #9 on:** April 29, 2012, 02:34:13 AM »

I shoot my 357 more than any other Handi. Mostly 38 wadcutters. I live in the country and have back yard "pests" which include chipmonks, skunks and raccoons. The low noise level and low possibility of a bullet skipping off into the wild blue and short distance travel makes it ideal for this purpose. I mounted a high powered LED flash light to the scope for shooting at night, when the skunks and raccoons are the most active. I can see good out to 30 - 35 for those night shots. It sets at my back door at the ready at all times. Occasionally I work second shift and come home to find the marauders. One night I shot a skunk and two raccoons and my wife never woke up.

BTW I reamed mine to 357 Max and it increased my accuracy with the wadcutters. I can now shoot chipmonks free standing at 20 - 25 yards with ease.I think it increased it with 357 Mag loads too, but I do not shoot them much to confirm it. I shoot the wadcutters and the 357 Max for the most part.

Good Luck and Good Shooting

Good Luck and Good Shooting

gcrank1 · « **Reply #10 on:** April 29, 2012, 04:01:57 AM »

Sometimes what ya thought ya wanted isnt really what ya wanted........, or ya work out the bugs and get the thing workin', ....and the toy sits (Ive been there more than once). After a while ya just dont remember, or care, why ya got it in the first place.
This hobby is about have some fun shootin', so make an effort to take it out and play for a while; if it still doesnt blow yer skirt up, there wont be any problem moving it on here

,
BTW, can I have first dibs?

bikerbeans · « **Reply #11 on:** April 29, 2012, 07:44:32 AM »

stimpy,

I'm in your court on this one. I bought an NIB 357 Talo Trapper couple years ago and reamed it to max. It was (still is) accurate enough to dispatch fox squirrels on a regular basis, but for some reason it didn't do it for me. Traded it recently for a 35 Rem barrel and now I am happy, did I say HAPPY!

Already busting hangin' bowling pins @ 200 yds with the 35 Rem (Super loadings, thanks Quick!

) & 200 grain Hornady SPs and I still haven't done a proper load work up. Don't miss the Maxi a bit, of course I have bought and quickly sold a handfull of 30-30 Handis cause I don't care for them either. I probably have a mutant strain of the Handi Virus.

BB

stimpylu32 · « **Reply #12 on:** April 29, 2012, 07:48:40 AM »

Well guys , I may have to re-think this one , maybe pick up some heavier bullets , as the old 158g SWC's just don't do it for me

also I may do a chop & crown job to it and add a scout scope , the factory Iron sights don't work with my old eyes anymore .

stimpy

Land_Owner · « **Reply #13 on:** April 29, 2012, 10:51:18 AM »

Stimpy...I'll make you an offer to purchase it if that will ease your pain. I had my 357 Handi- for well over two years. The FIRST barrel wouldn't shoot anything I stuffed down it. Guess it isn't a black powder sort of gun. Just kidding. Remington rebarreled it for me. It then sat for most of the next year in the safe. I picked it back up two months ago and have had a very good time shooting it since. It is a pleasure just to hear it go off and hits to point of aim at 100yards now that I have tinkered with it a little. I am not through with it and will be keeping it as a Magnum.

I appreciate my 357 Magnum Handi-rifle!

jackddavis · « **Reply #14 on:** April 29, 2012, 12:15:36 PM »

I put 95 Maxi rounds through my .357 magnum yesterday (no that's not a typo). 45 rounds of 140 gr. FTX and 50 rounds of 200 gr. FTX. Was shooting off hand at 125 yds and hitting ~6" rocks and sticks regularly. The rocks were powdered and the sticks were sent sailing 30'-40'. I had a blast.

See the loads on my site at.
http://www.metalsmithpro.com/357MagnumRifle.htm

gcrank1 · « **Reply #15 on:** April 30, 2012, 04:05:56 AM »

Some of the boys here have been using 180ish cast lead with satisfaction.

reloaderman · « **Reply #16 on:** May 02, 2012, 04:44:00 AM »

What you need is some range time ! Try wad cutters at 200 yards ! It's a blast!
I used all kinds of ammo, including some hand loaded heavy bullets, some good ,some not so
good. But a lot of fun. Same as my 45Colt.

Fred McIntire · « **Reply #17 on:** May 04, 2012, 08:07:34 PM »

I would STRONGLY suggest using Beartooth Bullets 185 grain cast lead flat nose gas checked bullet over 16 grains of H110 for the .357 magnum

OR

the same bullet over 20 grains of H110 for the .357 MAXIMUM.

Its a deer hammer in the Maximum.

PHATINJUN · « **Reply #18 on:** May 05, 2012, 02:55:54 AM »

I am kinda like you Stimpy. I had mine for a few yrs and once I got done working up loads and dialing it in it just sat. Then I let it go. Got a .45 did the same with that but will not sell this one. I think it has more to do with not being able to hunt with them. I will keep the .45 just in case I ever hunt WI again. But now I got this Titanium .41 Mag that just keeps screaming for a companion Handi rifle...gonna have to do something about that soon. Kurt

dpe.ahoy · « **Reply #19 on:** May 06, 2012, 01:35:21 AM »

Kurt, I too am looking for a 41 rifle to go with my Rageing Bull in that chambering. What are you planning on doing, stub or rebore/ rechamber??? DP

ratdog · « **Reply #20 on:** May 06, 2012, 09:01:59 PM »

i haven't shot mine in a while but i wound't get rid of it .might chop it to 16- 1/ 2'' i have a scope on most my rifles now. better keep it you will get back to it. besides i have pistols in that caliber.

ratdog · « **Reply #21 on:** May 06, 2012, 09:04:24 PM »

landowner shot any pigs with your 357 yet?

Land_Owner · « **Reply #22 on:** May 09, 2012, 01:08:13 PM »

there have not been any opportunities. the little footballs and their emaciated moms are arriving after dark and departing before daylight. i chronographed about 70 rounds last weekend. i need to remove the fore end and try a shim. i am swiftly approaching an increase in pressure at work and helping with planning of the daughter's wedding and can't get away for a night hunt. i am afraid all of my available resources are going into the reception dinner after the ceremony. oh well. i only have one daughter.

petemi · « **Reply #23 on:** May 09, 2012, 10:55:08 PM »

Stimpy, it's just plain fun. I have a ton of .38 and .357 brass and can load .38s for 7 cents for the bullet, 3 for the primer and less than a nickle for the powder......cheaper than shooting a rimfire magnum. .357s are only pennies more. Once you have the brass, maxies aren't too expensive. My .32-20 and maxie draw straws to see who gets to ride in the truck.

My wife has her own maxi, and loves busting jugs with .38s. Around the farm, they're just Handi. Anything from chipmunks to whitetails.

Pete

corbanzo · « **Reply #24 on:** May 10, 2012, 12:27:23 AM »

Maybe I stumbled into the wrong forum... but it sounds like you are missing the other five shots in the cylinder.....