Converting .357 Mag to .357 Max

[rickhem]

One of the ranges that used to run the National Sectional each year in my area also had an outdoor range where they held a wide range of other fun competitions. One of the regular shoots they held, was a Hunter Pistol Silhouette shoot, but they limited everyone to straight wall pistol cartridges to keep from having their silhouette targets get too beat up. They shot the standard animal targets at 25, 50, 75, and 100 yards, and had two categories, irons and glass. I shot with my DW .44 mag for irons, and with a 686 and a 4x scope for "glass". There was a guy that shot all the time with a TC Contender, 10" barrel, in .357 Max. I have never felt concussion from a handgun like I did from that. With four banks of targets, there would be four shooters on the line at a time, and when I was next to him, and I caught the sight of him raising his contender to take a shot, I just lowered mine until he shot. You could feel the shock wave with every shot he took. That round from a rifle would probably eclipse a 30-30 in performance, and a single shot opens the door to a whole different selection of bullets.

Post up your experience with it, I'm interested to hear what you can do with it.

[docscott]

Working up some loads:

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[5shot]

It looks like you're off to good start!! Was it easy to find brass?

[rickhem]

Working up some loads: 180grainMaxLilGun.jpg158grainmaxH110.jpg

Holey Schmoley, that's one hot load! I load 6 grains less Lil Gun for my 158 XTP FP and that is a stout load for .357 Mag. The rifle sure likes it though.
I'd be interested to see what that does at a little further distance, and if you hunt, how that works on game.

[docscott]

It looks like you're off to good start!! Was it easy to find brass?

I was able to find some loaded ammo. Starline is on backorder and haven't looked too hard anyplace else for brass.

[docscott]

Working up some loads: 180grainMaxLilGun.jpg158grainmaxH110.jpg

Holey Schmoley, that's one hot load! I load 6 grains less Lil Gun for my 158 XTP FP and that is a stout load for .357 Mag. The rifle sure likes it though.
I'd be interested to see what that does at a little further distance, and if you hunt, how that works on game.

Going to try 28 grains of Lil'Gun under the 158 XTP. Once I find something I like, will try at 100 yards. Plan on using it this upcoming deer season.

[docscott]

158 Grain Hornady XTP w/ 28.0 gr Lil' Gun (wanked the last shot to the upper right)

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[docscott]

100 yard test w/ 158 Grain XTP w/ 28.0 gr Lil'Gun ( group was ~2 inches X ~1 inch)
10 shot average muzzle velocity 2488

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[BigAl52]

It looks like you're off to good start!! Was it easy to find brass?

Saw some used 357max brass for sale on another forum 5shot. Kinda pricey at .50 ea.

[rickhem]

100 yard test w/ 158 Grain XTP w/ 28.0 gr Lil'Gun ( group was ~2 inches X ~1 inch)
10 shot average muzzle velocity 2488

WOW
You're knocking on the 2500 door with the 158, that is a whole lot of knockdown power.
And you're still getting great groups.
Nice!

[docscott]

180 Grain XTP w/ 25.0 gr Lil' Gun at 100 yards. 2258 f/s average 2 inch group

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[BigAl52]

If you have any or can find some give reloader 7 a try

[rickhem]

You're making the wheels turn in my head now.
I've got a Big Boy .357 and have been posting about trying to find good loads with various XTP bullets. So far, my best groups have been with the 140 FTX bullet, which is a lot longer than either the 158 XTP HP or FP bullets. The 140 FTX is 0.788" on the JBM site, and the 158 XTP HP and FP are 0.665" and 0.664" respectively. It seems that the faster twist on these barrels likes longer bullets, so the 180 XTP, at a listed 0.752", would be a logical next place to check. Your barrel sure likes those 180s, and you're shooting quite well with the 158s too.

The secondary problem is that when I go to MidSouth, or Midway, or Grafs to order the 180s, I already know there will be other things added to that order. Gotta feed the addiction.

[BigAl52]

You're making the wheels turn in my head now.
I've got a Big Boy .357 and have been posting about trying to find good loads with various XTP bullets. So far, my best groups have been with the 140 FTX bullet, which is a lot longer than either the 158 XTP HP or FP bullets. The 140 FTX is 0.788" on the JBM site, and the 158 XTP HP and FP are 0.665" and 0.664" respectively. It seems that the faster twist on these barrels likes longer bullets, so the 180 XTP, at a listed 0.752", would be a logical next place to check. Your barrel sure likes those 180s, and you're shooting quite well with the 158s too.

The secondary problem is that when I go to MidSouth, or Midway, or Grafs to order the 180s, I already know there will be other things added to that order. Gotta feed the addiction.

The FTX bullet when loaded in factory rounds is loaded in brass that is shorter than the standard length 357 brass. This allows chambering in 357 rifles. Im not sure what powder you are using but try 2400 around 14.5 to 15 grains with a 158 xtp FPHP or the 158 hp. 2400 will also work well with the 180

[rickhem]

Thanks BigAl52.
I'm loading the FTX in regular, untrimmed .357 brass, and no issues with cycling. I tried 296, but get better results with Lil Gun, so I've been sticking with that powder.
One issue is that I'm able to get velocities well over what Hornady says the design envelope is for both the HP and FP XTPs and the FTX. Everything tops out at about The Hornady guy that wrote back to me said that the FP would have a better tolerance for higher velocities, so I've been working with that. The 158 XTP FP, per Hornady, goes to 1750fps, and the 140 FTX goes to 1600. The table I have lists the 180, but not on the velocity table.

[docscott]

First 3 almost the same hole at 100 yards. Last two a bit higher (barrel was getting warm). I think I can live with this load. Will fine tune scope adjustment closer to deer season.

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[r80rt]

I've considered the Max, it looks like it would be a dandy for my area. So far I havent found anything a .357 won't handle, but man I like the idea of having a Max.

[BigAl52]

I've considered the Max, it looks like it would be a dandy for my area. So far I havent found anything a .357 won't handle, but man I like the idea of having a Max.

If you decide to go that route I suggest you get another SS like 5Shot did as rechambering one to do that is going to reduce the accuracy on the standard 357 round.

[r80rt]

Yeah, I'm thinking I'll leave this one alone and buy one in 360 buckhammer, I have and idea that I'd like one for cast bullet fun.

[docscott]

Deer season finally got here. Shot this doe at 75 yards with the .357 Max.

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