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.357 Rem. Max. as a varmint round? Why not? The accuracy is there! | | Jim Hendershot, Jr. skimmed this young marmot off the rocks with a 75 yard off hand shot using a 12" TC G2 factory barrel rechambered to .357 Rem. Max. by Mike Bellm, 4x NcStar pistol scope. |
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| | About the .357 Remington Maximum
The .357 Remington Maximum is one of the finest all-around cartridges there is for the Contender/G2 shooting platform, especially for hunting with shorter barrelled handguns.
However, .357 Remington Maximum was given a death sentence by SAAMI the day it was born due to the forcing cone type chamber design they gave it. Accuracy in fixed barrelled guns is absolutely superb, BUT not from the ill-conceived forcing cone chambers the industry is forced to adopt in order to march lock step with SAAMI, insurance companies, and our sue happy American legal system.
Working outside of "the industry," we in the custom trades have the option of cutting chambers and making barrels for .357 Maximum that are not ruined by a poor chamber design. We can cut chambers that have true throats in them, throats kept to minimum diameter and aligned with the bore properly for superb accuracy.
.357 Remington Maximum is one of the most inherently accurate .35s available when chambered right. It is also one of the very easiest and cheapest hunting rounds to load for overall. And for those that do not reload, it is our hope that we can garner enough momentum for the round that a major manufacturer will once again supply loaded ammunition for it.
In the meantime, there are smaller commercial loaders such as CNC Cartridge Co. that do supply .357 Maximum loaded ammo and will also custom load ammo for you. (618) 439-9053.
The three major ammunition manufacturers, Remington, Winchester, and Federal, all made ammunition for it when introduced, but today not even Remington, the company that gave birth to it, loads ammunition for it, and only Remington still sells empty .357 Remington Maximum brass.
LET'S CHANGE THIS! |
| Rechambering to .357 Remington Maximum
All barrel work regarding .357 Rem. Maximum. is limited to rechambering .357 Magnum Contender and G2 barrels to .357 Remington Maximum.
TC does not make any .357 Magnum Encore barrels, so a custom Encore barrel in .357 Magnum would have to be obtained for rechambering if you want an Encore barrel in this caliber.
Why not just get an Encore .357 Remington Maximum from the TC custom shop or an aftermarket shop? Look at the diagrams below and realize that you will normally get the forcing cone arrangement..... what we are trying to get away from in the first place by rechambering to the 5/16" longer .357 Remington Maximum. We need to start with a shorter chamber, the .357 Magnum.
Send barrels with NO scope base or sights to and make $95 payment to,
Mike Bellm
3388-B Merlin Rd., PMB 402
Grants Pass, OR 97526
Includes return shipping.
(Round barrels only, front sight must be removable or be removed if soldered on)
Current production 12" TC factory .357 Magnum G2 barrels are an excellent platform to start from building your .357 Rem. Max. meat getter.
I can supply a factory barrel rechambered to .357 Max. for $325.
phone: (541) 956-6938
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| Some other options for obtaining .357 Maximum barrels.
To obtain a .357 Maximum barrel for an Encore or obtaining a longer barrel length, any barrel chambered for .223 Rem. and smaller diameter chambers can be rebored and re-rifled to .35 cal. then rechambered. Reboring only is $225. Chamber work and precision recrown adds $120, total $345 plus the cost of the original barrel and $15 return shipping.
Another option is to reline Encore barrels to .35 cal, then rechamber to .357 Max.
Total costs are often still in line with going full custom.
Let me know what you are trying to accomplish, and I will quote. |
| | .357 Remington Maximum New, Unprimed brass, $24.95/C. |
| .357 Maximum.com rifle website
Devoted to the .357 Maximum in rifle configuration for deer hunting with emphasis on the site owners home state of Indiana.
Great site. Very informative for .35 cal. deer rifle requirements. |
| Handloader magazine article on a 10 inch .357 Max.
Click on the title above for a pdf download from Handloader magazine.
This excellent March/April 1994 article by John O'Renick is available courtesy of Wolfe Publishing, publishers of Rifle, Handloader, and Successful Hunter magazines.
Excellent treatise on a wide, wide range of bullets and powders taken from an older .357 Magnum Contender barrel I rechambered to .357 Max. Excellent 10" barrel data!
It should be noted, per the original chamber drawing included, this barrel had the older short cone throat. Rechambering the later .357 Mag. TC chambers with the .4" long forcing cone does leave about .1" of the original cone in the chamber. Ie, not quite all of it is cut out, which is a plus with lead bullets. Look at the cone in the .357 Mag. drawing in the article. This type of short angled cone prevents lead bullets from shearing as they go into the cylindrical throat I cut.
I have continued to experiment with throat configurations over the years and have been cutting a two diameter throat instead of the tapered design shown. For lead shooters, on request I will also cut the same type of short cone shown for the early .357 Mag. chambers, followed by the two step cylindrical throat. |
| Rifle, Handloader, Successful Hunter magazines by Wolfe Publishing
Title is an active link to Wolfe Publishing. Special thanks to Wolfe Publishing for permission to reproduce the above article on the .357 Max. These excellent publications have grown dramatically in popularity. Take a free look at magazine samples and also access back issues online.
Thanks also to "Headstamp" for bringing this nearly forgotten article to my attention and graciously providing the pdf file available for free here. |
| Hobie's webpage on his .357 Max. TC factory carbine barrel
Good overall info, data, bullet choices. |
| .357 MAGNUM article by Paco Kelly.... data, rifle and handgun.
While the .357 Magnum is the subject of his article, it shows the potentials of the smallish straightwall .35 cal. cartridges, gives pressures and velocities in both handgun and rifle with the same loads, reports how various handgun bullet types actually perform on game, and compares the .357 Magnum's superior performance compared to the primary turn of the 19th century leverguns our forefathers successfully collected game with. It is both informative and colorful while making one rethink the lowly .357 Magnum. It is a good basis for understanding just how much more the .357 Rem. Maximum can be relied on when its full potential is realized in the break open TC guns. |
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| | | More About Working With The .357 Remington Maximum |
| |
| | 180 gr Bullets Are Generally The Best Choice For The .357 Max., but bullets through 200 gr. give more penetration if needed and still have ample veloctiy for good expansion. | Left: Hornady 180 gr. XTP,
Center: Hornady 200 gr. Spire Point, NOT recommended,
Right: Remington 180 gr. Hollow Soft Point |
180 gr. gives the best combination of sectional density for a good long range trajectory while being able to be driven fast enough for good expansion on deer size game, even from 10" barrels, out to 150 to 200 yards depending on how the barrel has been sighted in.
Heavier bullets may not be driven fast enough for good expansion, especially when fired from 10" barrels.
Choose a bullet with an ample hollow point or large soft point that will readily expand.
DO NOT choose sharply pointed bullets such as the Spire Point bullet above. While this point form may be better for long range trajectory, it is far more likely to simply punch a small hole through game without expanding when started out at about 1700 fps from a 10" barrel.
The excellent Hornady XTP on the left above is an oustanding game bullet, though the nearly full bullet diameter of the soft point and an ample hollow point in the Remington bullet, right, will open more readily, while bullet weight retention should be better with the XTP.
I would expect somewhat better penetration on larger deer with the XTP while the Remington bullet should be a better choice on smaller deer with less mass to expand the bullet.
As shown in the targets below, both the 180 gr. XTP and the Remington 180 gr. HP give outstanding accuracy when fired from a barrel with a proper throat.
Which bullet to choose? Try 'em both. Both are excellent bullets, though the Remington bulk bullets have less impact on the shooting budget.
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| Top View.
Note the somewhat more pointed shape of the Remington bullet and the much wider, but jacketed hollow point of the Hornady XTP bullet.
The huge soft nose of the Remington bullet allows it to expand easily at short barrel handgun velocities out to 200 yards.
Note also that the correct seating depth for both the Hornady XTP and the Remington Hollow Point 180 gr. bullets in my .357 Max. chambers is approximately at the lower cannelure on the XTP bullet.
Crimping is generally not necessary or recommended, with the exception of powders such as WW-296, with which Winchester recommends a solid crimp.
Use small rifle primers in the .357 Remington Max. If magnum primers are used, back off powder charges and work up to maximum.
I consider maximum to be at a pressure level just below where primers start to crater, ie, show a slight ridge around the firing pin indent.
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| 180 gr. Hornady SSP Accuracy. | | Encore .357max 23" bbl. 100 yards using 180 Hornady SSP, 30gr AA1680, and CCI BR4 small rifle primers |
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| Some results with the 30 gr. charge of 1680 and 180 gr. Hornady SSP bullet
Mike,
This doe field dressed 128lbs. My 13yr old cousin shot her with my 357max rifle at approx 20yds. He hit her high in the spine and the bullet traveled several inches along side the spine after breaking it before exiting. The shot took her down with authority. The load is 180gr ssp hornady behind 30gr AA1680.
This is the load that shot the dime size group on your webpage.
Tim Rose |
| Mike,
This buck field dressed approx 170lbs was shot at approx 105yds. Firearm was a H&R Ultra opened to 357max. Load was 180gr Hornady SSP behind 30rg AA1680. Velocity is 2200fps range and groups MOA in this rifle. Bullet hit the buck on his left entering between the last two ribs and exiting behind the last rib on the right side essentially taking out the back of the lungs and the liver. The deer fell over the creek above him in the picture. He lay about 15ft from where he was shot. You could easily stick your thumb in the exit hole. This buck was killed by my buddy Adam Saunders.
Tim Rose |
| Custom 190 gr. .3575 dia. bullets by David DeeringThese are beautifully made custom swaged bullets with a nice point form and small meplat that should work super in the Max. for game.
TC's factory .35 cal barrels nearly always run undersize, sometimes as small as .355-.356", making the .3575" diameter of these bullets a slightly better match for factory barrels than .358" bullets.
Using top quality Corbin dies, David Deering chose 190 gr. for the Max. and is open to other weights and point forms. Please order via the link to his site below or contact him |
| | Custom Bullets by David Deering, click here |
| Bear Tooth Bullets
See Bear Tooth Bullets for excellent LBT design .35 cal. gas checked cast lead bullets for the .357 Maximum.
Lead bullets will usually give a significant velocity gain over the same weight of jacketed bullets.
Any of the 180 to 210 gr. bullets shown on this page and the Rifle Bullets page that is listed in the menu should be excellent meat getters in the .357 Rem Max.
Since velocities and pressures are high, use only the gas checked designs, and since you are to seat bullets out as far as you can, the shorter bullet shanks let you seat the bullets out farther without exposing the lube grooves. |
| | Some 180 gr. cast lead bullets from Cast Performance, left, and LBT, rightPhotos courtesy of Mike Harmon who feels cast bullets penetrate and hold up better than thin jacket pistol bullets. |
| | LBT cast bullet accuracy, 100 yards from Harmon's Ruger revolver, iron sights. |
| | 126 yard antelope |
| | 200 yard, 3-shot group, iron sights |
| Bullets Lighter and Heavier Than 180 gr.
Lighter 158/160 gr. bullets will give higher velocities and may be ok on smaller deer, but may not give enough penetration on larger deer, depending on shot placement.
Heavier 200 gr. bullets may not be travelling fast enough for ample expansion. If 200 gr. bullets are preferred, choose round nose bullets designed for the .35 Remington which produces similar velocities in handgun length barrels.
For sheer devastation on varmints, try the Hornady 146 gr. HP bullet. It performs like a Hornady SX or Sierra Blitz .22 varmint bullet. |
| .357" 180 gr. Remington Hollow Point Jacketed bullets:
The generous, full diameter hollow lead point of this bullet with scalloped jacket to start expansion gives optimum game performance even at lower velocities from 10" barrels, approx. 1700 fps.
Priced lower than Hornady XTP and Nosler 180 gr. hollow point bullets, these are a great buy @ $19.50/hundred, plus $12.50 per USPS Flat Rate Priority Mail box, however much it holds, regardless of weight.
Order directly from and make payment to:
Mike Bellm
3388-B Merlin Rd. PMB 402
Grants Pass, OR 97526
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| 50 yard group, .357 Rem. 180 gr. bulk bullets, top target, .358 Hornady 180 gr. XTP bullets bottom target. | Good groups with Remington bulk 180 gr. bullets, top target,
180 gr. Hornady XTP bullets, bottom target. |
The Remington bulk bullets do shoot well!
Note both the more expensive Hornady and cheaper Remington bulk bullets essentially grouped the same. There was, however, a significant velocity spread which we cannot account for at this point.
With further load development work, we should get essentially identical velocities. |
| Sources for commercially loaded .357 Rem. Max. ammo
Midway USA has in stock .357 Max ammo 200gr. made by Grizzley Ammo.
Graf and Sons carries 180 gr. .357 Max. by PCI |
| What you will find below.
Posted here will be information in support of the .357 Remington Maximum that will include many personal accounts of working with the round, personally supplied loading data, recommendations, and sources of supplies for shooting the .357 Max.
We welcome your input!
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| See this page also
For .357 Max chamber drawings and rechambering contact info |
| DISCLAIMER NOTICE
ANY DATA FOUND HERE IN THIS SECTION OR ANYWHERE ON THIS SITE IS PROVIDED AS A GUIDE ONLY. NEITHER BELLM TCS, INC., ITS OFFICERS OR DIRECTORS, MIKE BELLM, NOR ANY CONTRIBUTOR OF LOADING DATA OR INFORMATION PROVIDED HERE ASSUME ANY LIABILITY FOR THE INDIVIDUAL'S PERCEPTION OF OR USE OF SAID INFORMATION PRESENTED.
COMMON SENSE AND GOOD JUDGEMENT CANNOT BE BUILT INTO GUNS AND MUST BE SUPPLIED BY THE OPERATOR!
ALL GENERAL SAFETY GUIDELINES APPLY, INCLUDING THE BASIC RULES OF:
1) START LOW AND WORK UP, ALWAYS, WITH ANY GIVEN LOAD. IF YOU MAKE ANY CHANGES TO THE LOAD, START OVER WITH POWDER CHARGES REDUCED BY AT LEAST 10% AND WORK BACK UP TO MAXIMUM.
2) AT THE FIRST HINT OF HARD OPENING OCCURRING AS LOADS ARE CHANGED/INCREASED, BACK OFF.
(When the effort required to open the barrel goes from normal to hard, it usually indicates that more force has been applied to the breechface, the frame has flexed significantly, and in trying to return to its relaxed position is exerting force on the case head, thus making the barrel hard to unlock. This degree of flexing is excess, so back off the powder charges or look for other causes of high pressure creating this undue flexing.) |
| Here is an account from "headstamp" that give some idea of what to expect for handgun velocities and accuracy from 10" barrels.
Hi Mike, Here is something for Surplus powder fans and the Max at any rate along with some first impressions on scope mounting, bullet type, etc. FWIW as follows:
Finally got to do some load work with the BTB 358 WLN+P gas checked bullet in the 357 Maximum. I had a 10" Contender bbl in 357 Mag rechambered to the Max by Mike Bellm. This gets rid of the "forcing cone" throat in the Mag and replaces it with what can be described as a gentle tapering Ball Seat type throat arrangement.
I'm really getting to like this barrel very much as it's a snap to resize cases and develop loads for it. Also, recoil is very manageable and a surprising amount of power can be obtained from the 10" bbl. I see this cartridge as a great woods round out to 100 yds or so in the Contender.
Getting to the loads, I utilized WC680 Surplus powder with Federal 205 Small Rifle primers and Remington cases. This powder has exhibited 2 distinct burning rates of lots out there so some caution is in order to begin load development with it. Turning to my Hornady manual, both WW 680 and AA1680 loads were listed with WW 680 loads showing lighter powder charges than the AA1680 in the Max for comparable velocities. So, I elected to use the WW680 charge weights to give me some leeway with the Surplus lot I had. It turned out that the WC680 I have is apparently a slow lot and in fact is much more comparable to AA1680 that I also have on hand.
I started with 19.5 grs of WC680 on up to a top charge of 23.8 grs as listed in the Hornady manual for WW680. Velocities were quite inconsistent and unburned powder flakes were present in the barrel on up to the 23.8 gr load. Velocities ran from 1280 FPS on the low side to 1500 FPS at the 23.8 gr load. The interesting part is that these loads were still quite accurate even though the powder and velocities were very inconsistent. Accuracy averaged a ragged 1.5" hole at 25 yds. Black smudges also appeared on the outside of cases with soot actually backing up at the breech plate showing very low pressures relatively.
My next visit to the range was with heavier charges of WC680 starting at 24.5 grs on up to a compressed charge of 28.0grs. The 24.5 to 25.5 gr loads exhibited the same sooting and unburned powder residue in the barrel. Then, things started to change with the 26.0 gr loads. I noticed a distinct jump in velocities from about 1680FPS to 1713 FPS with the 26 grain load. Also the powder residue just started to lessen. At the 26.5 gr loading (1722 FPS) things started to improve more with extreme spreads starting to lessen considerably. This first slightly compressed loading started to tell the real tale loud and clear. Powder residue dropped to about a quarter of what it was with previous loads. Cases were sealing off well in the chamber. Also, extreme spreads dropped to 25-30 FPS. The 27 to 28 gr loads showed steady velocity increases and powder residue dropping to slight to nothing. The 28 grain load showed less pressure than my full up WW296 loads do with a lighter bullet from primer appearances and other indicators. The velocity averaged 1850 FPS with an extreme spread of about 10-15FPS. Accuracy looks to be extremely good at less than .8" at 25 yds with the 2X scope I have on this 10" bbl. albeit I was not shooting for accuracy but more for pressure and velocities at this session.
To review, it appears this ball powder likes to be somewhat compressed at least in the Max in MY bbl. The performance exhibited by it clearly demonstrated that fact. Once it was, ballistics settled right into a predictable outcome. Regarding the 180 gr WLN+P, this bullet almost appears to be made for this round as it's crimp groove in my rechambering is positioned perfectly for the throat length. And yes, with this powder at least, a moderate to heavy crimp must be applied to aid ignition. Actually, all loads were taper crimped with an older CH taper crimp die I have just above the crimp groove.
The wide driving band area on this bullet allowed this. This die tapered the case mouth perfectly into the side of the bullet imbedding it into the lead like a pseudo Factory Crimp die. A taper crimp in this way is quite firm, more so than a roll crimp in the crimp groove in my opinion. A Redding profile crimp being even better as it is a combination of the 2 crimps.
I could have went to higher charge weights but I really don't like to compress more than is reasonable in my estimation with ball powders. Carried to an extreme, they will become like a solid mass thus affecting consistent burning progression. Sort of like lighting a fuse instead.
Originally, I experimented with AA2200 powder but found it to be too slow in this cartridge. My thanks to Johann Loubser over at Accurate powder for some excellent advice and a very correct prediction on that experiment too. LOL.
A note or two on the scope and mount is in order. The scope base I'm using is a Leupold double dovetail. Originally, Leupold rings were installed on it. After having scope slippage problems, I opted to try the newer Signature rings from Burris on the Leupold base. I've found these to be excellent rings with terrific gripping power with one caveat. After you first install the scope in them, check back in few days or so and retighten the ring halves again. I've found the plastic inserts take a "set" to the inside surfaces and the rings will loosen. After retightening them a few days later, they are still good and snug. So watch for this little condition to develop with them.
The Bushnell Trophy 2X handgun scope has held up very well and is an excellent value for the money, surprisingly so actually. All my barrels that wear the Trophys have never had any problems. A 2X6 variable on my 358 Bellm has been pounded with a few hundred rounds and it is still going strong with no point of impact shift whatsoever or nothing detectable at any rate.
Again, if you are in the market for a woods range cartridge for deer, black bear and the like or more, look into the Max. It's really an under-rated cartridge for hunting and didn't deserve it's fast "death" shortly after introduction by uninformed "experts". The 180 gr WFN+P from Beartooth Bullets at 1850+ FPS from a 10" bbl is nothing to sneeze at either. A nice little carbine in this cartridge would be a great application for it too.
I look forward to further experimentation with this barrel.
Regards
]_________________________________296 data__________
158 gr. Hornady JFP
Rem cases (New)
Federal 205 SR Primers
WW296 Powder
Range Temp- 65 degrees
Determined max loading at 23.5 grs due to sticky extraction at 25 grs powder. Velocity average at 1910+FPS at 23.5 grs WW296. Looks to be very accurate also. 50 yd group of .875"/3 shots. Two holes touching and the 3rd opening the group.
Caution should be used with published book data worked up in factory TC barrels and applied to the Bellm rechambered barrel due to it's far more "normal" throat arrangement. My Bellm rechambered barrel, in at least my experience, exhibited max load indications and higher velocities far below the maximum loads listed for a factory barrel. (This weight bullet, this powder type) There is no sacrifice in velocity however, in fact, comparing my Bellm rechambered barrel strictly to some book loadings of factory TC barrels, the factory barrels produced less velocity with more powder needing to be burned or simply needed more powder to develop velocities in line with my Bellm rechamber. This basically tells me, this barrel, with a more conventional/correct throat arrangement, will operate more efficiently than a TC factory chambering in this round.
I haven't done an actual side by side comparison however, but have read enough accounts of other shooters with their factory barrels to give it at least some serious consideration.
Bullets were seated to crimp groove and moderate to heavy crimped.
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| And from ol' Slopshot:
Mike, no reply necessay, know you're trying to keep shop running on time.
Just wanted to throw in my 2 cents worth on the Max.
My experience was with the first factory 14 inch for Contender. I found I could get within 150 fps of the .35 Rem. 14 inch Contender, shooting Hornady xtp 180 grs. and the OLD Hercules (1st Alliant production, pre-factory blowup) RL 7. Usually the load I was using at the time would also be with 200 to 300 fps of the 21 inch carbine .35 Rem. barrel. Finally ordered a 18 or 20 inch(old age memory) carbine barrel from tc custom, and it was usually within 100 to 150 fps of 35 Rem carbine barrels.
To me the 14 inch was the IDEAL length for Max. pistol barrel (maybe 15"). My load was getting around 1 1/4 to 1 1/2 groups at hundred and 3 inch at 150 yds. Not hot either, so I imagine the Encore could be shot a little hotter.
Enough of your time, all this to let you know don't sell the 14 inch (maybe 15") short for the Max. Sure helps to tame some of the muzzle blast and barrel lift.
ol' Slopshot (don't sell the 180 gr. XTP short either, makes an elk caliber out of the TC .357 Mag. and .357 Max. It doesn't lose much in fps to 150 yds. and WILL PENETRATE)
From "S.T."
Mike,
Here's my two cents worth:
I started out with a 14" .357 MAG barrel I purchased from T/C's custom shop.
I wanted to have the barrel re-chambered for the .357 MAX so per your recommendation
I contacted David White to do the job (you were not accepting any new jobs at the
time).
David did a great job! After David did his magic I have to say this is one of the most
accurate barrels I have ever shot. The only problem I had was after firing a few
hundred rounds
through the barrel it started breaking open every time I would shoot it. I sent the
barrel to you
so you could figure out why it would not stay locked up and you installed an
oversized hinge pin
and replaced the lockup lugs. I have not had one problem with the barrel since.
I shoot big bore pistol silhouette (out to two hundred yards) and consistently
shoot scores in the low 30's out of a possible 40. I love shooting the .357 MAX and
would have to say it's my favorite round. I use Remington's 180gr SJHP bullet with
18.5gr of WC820 powder and CCI small rifle primers. Muzzle velocity averages 1746 fps.
I have used Hornady's 180gr XTP hollow point bullet but found the Remington 180gr
bullet
just as accurate and quite a bit cheaper when purchased in quantities of 500 or 1000.
Given the accuracy, low cost and ease of loading, the .357 MAX is
truly a superb cartridge.
Thanks Mike and keep up the good work!
|
| From "K"
HI Mike,
You will like this. I went out in the artic wasteland that our shooting range as become. I brought
the max, some loads with 25 grs 1680, cci rifle primer, hornady 180ssp, and my home made 3point
adjustable shooting rest because I knew I was not going to be able to hold that thing steady in this
weather. Set the rest up, zeroed rest at 100 yards, boresighted scope at same distance, first group
went about 1inch. some later groups went less than that, got one group around 3/4". I was freezing and starting to shake, so gun will do better yet. groups open after that as I got colder, and I quit when most of the SSP ammo was gone and I was doing about 2 inches. I shot some of
the last of the mini-max ammo, and that got its usuall 2", I am convinced stability issues. The 3/4 inch group might have just been plus and minus shaking canceling out, but I figure the gun is a
real 1 moa performer., maybe better in easier conditions. It was pretty windy and cold over there
today, definitely not a gold wing day at the range. But I learned that the gun is a shooter.
K
(The above barrel is an older .357 Mag 10" factory "bull" barrel that had the older vintage short throat. The owner had extended the throat prior to my rechambering it to .357 Max. and did it very well. The results speak for themselves!... Mike Bellm) |
| From Bryan C.
Note by Mike Bellm:
This was originally a TC custom shop barrel that had a .386" diameter chamber, WAY too large in diameter. It bulged the cases very badly as a .357 Rem. Max. The only way to salvage the barrel as a Max. was to reline it, end to end, which I did.
Here is Bryan's report on it:
The load for that 357 Max. that I ended up using was a Hornady 180 gr. SP SS/PB, Fed. GM205M primer, and 21.0gr. of Win. 296. The Cartridge Overall Length was 2.247" and the Average Velocity was 1705 fps. This was in a 12" barrel. This is the barrel that was used in the relining project. It dropped a deer at 120 yards in January. It's really good for someone that wants a good long range flat shooting pistol cartridge without a lot of recoil. I set it up for a friend of mine who was just getting started in handgun hunting. He wanted a 50 AE in a 10" Encore like mine but I told him that the 357 Max.would be a better choice for him as I am used to the recoil and concussion of the 50 AE. He didn't regret the choice. |
| ... and another account on 200 gr. bullets from Bryan.
| | 100 yard group, 200 gr. Hornady Spire Point. Note that in some instances in the past the Hornady Spire point at these velocities does not appear to expand very well and may not be the best choice for deer size game. |
Chronographed the 200 grain Hornady Spire Points
today. They were pushing 1626 fps. If you're
interested the load was 19.8 gr. of Winchester 296,
Federal GM205M primer, and OAL of 2.358". It put 4
shots in 3/4" at 100 yards with 3 of them in 3/8". |
| From C.S.T
Mike,
I read your latest on the 357 Max and the Remington 180g HP.
I have worked up a what appears to be a very good load for my 357 Max. The Sierra 225g BT over 23.9g of Reloader-7 and Rem 71/2 BR primer. COAL = 2.44.
With this load and my Burris 4x I can strike a 10" steel gong at 200 yards. The group size at 50 yards is under .5 inch. Recoil is moderate but not harsh. I will be whitetail hunting with this load on December 27. Ohio is one of the states that requires straight-walled cases for handgun calibers. Also the cartridge must be one that was commercially produced, so there cannot be any wildcats. It is a good thing that Ruger produced the 357 Max in the Blackhawk.
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| .357 Rem. Maximum Article by Glen Fryxell
Excellent article on the Los Angeles Silhouette Club site with emphasis on cast lead. |
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