Comments for .357 Maximum http://357maximum.com The Ultimate Indiana Deer Rifle by Steven Cutter Sat, 04 Sep 2010 20:22:49 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.7 hourly 1 Comment on Guestbook by admin http://357maximum.com/guestbook/comment-page-3/#comment-14096 admin Thu, 02 Sep 2010 09:50:43 +0000 http://357maximum.com/demo/guestbook/#comment-14096 Hi Allan, I am not familiar with the brand of ammo you mentioned. I have only used handloaded ammo personally. I know that new factory ammo is scarce for this round but there are a few manufacturers out there. I have also seen older Remington factory ammo show up on Gunbroker.com occasionally. If I understand you correctly, you are asking the difference between .358 and .357 bullets in the Max. The nominal groove diameter for the .357 Maximum is .357. Bullet manufacturers make both .357 and .358 diameter bullets that will work in this caliber. I asked the question about pressure concerns with shooting .358 bullets in .357 barrels to Western Powder's ballistician, Johan Loubser, and he told me the difference in pressure if any would be negligible. Regards, Steve Hi Allan,
I am not familiar with the brand of ammo you mentioned. I have only used handloaded ammo personally. I know that new factory ammo is scarce for this round but there are a few manufacturers out there. I have also seen older Remington factory ammo show up on Gunbroker.com occasionally.

If I understand you correctly, you are asking the difference between .358 and .357 bullets in the Max. The nominal groove diameter for the .357 Maximum is .357. Bullet manufacturers make both .357 and .358 diameter bullets that will work in this caliber. I asked the question about pressure concerns with shooting .358 bullets in .357 barrels to Western Powder’s ballistician, Johan Loubser, and he told me the difference in pressure if any would be negligible.
Regards,
Steve

]]> Comment on Guestbook by allan baxter http://357maximum.com/guestbook/comment-page-3/#comment-14067 allan baxter Thu, 02 Sep 2010 00:48:16 +0000 http://357maximum.com/demo/guestbook/#comment-14067 New to 357 Max, can you elaborate more on the 35 "358", only place i can get 357 max is from Midwayusa.com 200 grain by Grizzley. Do you know anything about this brand. Thanks New to 357 Max, can you elaborate more on the 35 “358″, only place i can get 357 max is from Midwayusa.com 200 grain by Grizzley. Do you know anything about this brand. Thanks

]]> Comment on Guestbook by admin http://357maximum.com/guestbook/comment-page-3/#comment-14056 admin Wed, 01 Sep 2010 22:20:49 +0000 http://357maximum.com/demo/guestbook/#comment-14056 Hey Randy, Thanks for the kind words. It sounds like you guys have some nice setups and have tested them out well. I'm sure you will not be disappointed with your results in the field. I would look forward to hearing any feedback from your hunts that you are willing to share (no detail to small). Just an FYI, recently I have sent some of the heavier AA1680 loads with all three Hornady bullets you mentioned, out for laboratory pressure testing. I expect to have results late September or early October. I will created a page on this site to share that information with everyone. For each of the (3) bullets you mentioned I submitted 28.0, 29.0, and 30.0 gr. of 1680. With the 180 SSP's I also submitted two different o.a.l. to show how pressure changes with seating depth. Good luck deer hunting this fall and good shooting, Steve Hey Randy,
Thanks for the kind words. It sounds like you guys have some nice setups and have tested them out well. I’m sure you will not be disappointed with your results in the field. I would look forward to hearing any feedback from your hunts that you are willing to share (no detail to small). Just an FYI, recently I have sent some of the heavier AA1680 loads with all three Hornady bullets you mentioned, out for laboratory pressure testing. I expect to have results late September or early October. I will created a page on this site to share that information with everyone. For each of the (3) bullets you mentioned I submitted 28.0, 29.0, and 30.0 gr. of 1680. With the 180 SSP’s I also submitted two different o.a.l. to show how pressure changes with seating depth.
Good luck deer hunting this fall and good shooting,
Steve

]]> Comment on Guestbook by Randy Stratman http://357maximum.com/guestbook/comment-page-3/#comment-14046 Randy Stratman Wed, 01 Sep 2010 17:39:07 +0000 http://357maximum.com/demo/guestbook/#comment-14046 Hi Steve, I just wanted to say thanks for a great site. The info on here is fantastic and helped my friend and me pursure the building of a .357 Max. We are using the H&R rifle with the barrel reworked by David White and thumbhole stocks by Boyds. Man we can't wait for deer season to get here. These guns shoot fantastic and are so much fun to load for. We have tried over 20 combinations and found the 180 SSP over 28.5 gr of AA1680 to be extremely accurate out to 150 yards. I also had good results with the 200 gr FTX over 25.5 gr AA1680 and 180 XTP over 28 gr AA1680. All are very accurate with the SSP load the best. Just thought I would share my enthusiasm. Randy Hi Steve,
I just wanted to say thanks for a great site. The info on here is fantastic and helped my friend and me pursure the building of a .357 Max. We are using the H&R rifle with the barrel reworked by David White and thumbhole stocks by Boyds. Man we can’t wait for deer season to get here. These guns shoot fantastic and are so much fun to load for. We have tried over 20 combinations and found the 180 SSP over 28.5 gr of AA1680 to be extremely accurate out to 150 yards. I also had good results with the 200 gr FTX over 25.5 gr AA1680 and 180 XTP over 28 gr AA1680. All are very accurate with the SSP load the best. Just thought I would share my enthusiasm. Randy

]]> Comment on Guestbook by admin http://357maximum.com/guestbook/comment-page-3/#comment-13516 admin Sat, 21 Aug 2010 19:57:30 +0000 http://357maximum.com/demo/guestbook/#comment-13516 Hi Garrett, Any handgun or rifle chambered in .357 Maximum can safely fire .38 Special or .357 magnum rounds. I don't know of anyone that has tried to shoot 9mm bullets in a .357 Maximum. There would not be a safety issue however, there may be an accuracy issue as the 9mm bullet is slightly smaller in diameter. There is now doubt, one of these lightweights could really be driven to a high velocity out of a Max. and would be very explosive on varmints. For larger game, I believe that heavier bullets like 180-200 grains are optimum in the Max. That is what I would recommend for wild hogs. Hopefully, someone else can offer first hand experience with the .357 Maximum and wild hogs as my experience has been limited to whitetail deer. You may find some people on Graybeard Outdoors forums, under the NEF Handi Rifle section or one of the many individual state sections with wild hog hunting that can offer good opinions. Good Shooting, Steve Hi Garrett,
Any handgun or rifle chambered in .357 Maximum can safely fire .38 Special or .357 magnum rounds. I don’t know of anyone that has tried to shoot 9mm bullets in a .357 Maximum. There would not be a safety issue however, there may be an accuracy issue as the 9mm bullet is slightly smaller in diameter. There is now doubt, one of these lightweights could really be driven to a high velocity out of a Max. and would be very explosive on varmints. For larger game, I believe that heavier bullets like 180-200 grains are optimum in the Max. That is what I would recommend for wild hogs. Hopefully, someone else can offer first hand experience with the .357 Maximum and wild hogs as my experience has been limited to whitetail deer. You may find some people on Graybeard Outdoors forums, under the NEF Handi Rifle section or one of the many individual state sections with wild hog hunting that can offer good opinions.
Good Shooting,
Steve

]]> Comment on Guestbook by Garrett Short http://357maximum.com/guestbook/comment-page-3/#comment-13514 Garrett Short Sat, 21 Aug 2010 18:12:49 +0000 http://357maximum.com/demo/guestbook/#comment-13514 After years of owning a H&R factory chambered in 357 max and not being able to find ammo for the rifle or information about the cartridge it is wonderful to find a site like this devoted to the 357 max. I don't know if it will work in TC carbines, but in my H&R I practice with 125 grain FMJ 38 specials. At 50 yards I get great accuracy with Blazer Brass ammo, and although I haven't tried it yet I suspect that this load would preform well on small game such as rabbits or ground hogs. When I suggest this to most folks they look at me like I'm crazy for suggesting that anything other than a 22 or a shotgun be used for rabbit hunting. Obviously these folks have never had to crawl into a briar patch to pursue a rabbit wounded by a misplaced 22 shot, or tried to get close enough to a rabbit to make a reliable kill with a shotgun. I do have a few questions that the readers of this site might be able to help me with. 1. Can I safely fire 357 magnum rounds in my H&R 357 max? 2. Is similar cartridge interchangeability possible with black hawks or encores chambered for 357 max? 3. I might be way out in left field with this one. Could light weight 9mm bullets (85-90 gr.) be reloaded in 38 or 357 mag/max cases and pushed by the large case capacity of these rounds to very high velocities? 4. Would 158 gr. 357 max hunting loads in my H&R be adequate medicine for Tennessee wild hogs? This is an awesome site and I'm tickled pink to find others who are interested in this fine cartridge. Garrett garrettshort1984@gmail.com After years of owning a H&R factory chambered in 357 max and not being able to find ammo for the rifle or information about the cartridge it is wonderful to find a site like this devoted to the 357 max. I don’t know if it will work in TC carbines, but in my H&R I practice with 125 grain FMJ 38 specials. At 50 yards I get great accuracy with Blazer Brass ammo, and although I haven’t tried it yet I suspect that this load would preform well on small game such as rabbits or ground hogs. When I suggest this to most folks they look at me like I’m crazy for suggesting that anything other than a 22 or a shotgun be used for rabbit hunting. Obviously these folks have never had to crawl into a briar patch to pursue a rabbit wounded by a misplaced 22 shot, or tried to get close enough to a rabbit to make a reliable kill with a shotgun.

I do have a few questions that the readers of this site might be able to help me with. 1. Can I safely fire 357 magnum rounds in my H&R 357 max? 2. Is similar cartridge interchangeability possible with black hawks or encores chambered for 357 max? 3. I might be way out in left field with this one. Could light weight 9mm bullets (85-90 gr.) be reloaded in 38 or 357 mag/max cases and pushed by the large case capacity of these rounds to very high velocities? 4. Would 158 gr. 357 max hunting loads in my H&R be adequate medicine for Tennessee wild hogs?

This is an awesome site and I’m tickled pink to find others who are interested in this fine cartridge.

Garrett
garrettshort1984@gmail.com

]]> Comment on Guestbook by admin http://357maximum.com/guestbook/comment-page-3/#comment-13490 admin Fri, 20 Aug 2010 09:45:04 +0000 http://357maximum.com/demo/guestbook/#comment-13490 Hi Chris, I think 1-14" would be good for 180-200 gr. bullets. Since MGM knows a lot more about it than I do, I would suggest letting them know what bullets you are planning on shooting and go with their recommendation. They are good people and make a good product. Once you're set up I would be interested in hearing back on your success with your new rifle. Good Shooting, Steve Hi Chris,
I think 1-14″ would be good for 180-200 gr. bullets. Since MGM knows a lot more about it than I do, I would suggest letting them know what bullets you are planning on shooting and go with their recommendation. They are good people and make a good product. Once you’re set up I would be interested in hearing back on your success with your new rifle.
Good Shooting,
Steve

]]> Comment on Guestbook by Chris http://357maximum.com/guestbook/comment-page-3/#comment-13484 Chris Fri, 20 Aug 2010 01:50:26 +0000 http://357maximum.com/demo/guestbook/#comment-13484 I am ording a .357 Max 24" barrel from MGM what twist rate do you recommend? I am ording a .357 Max 24″ barrel from MGM what twist rate do you recommend?

]]> Comment on Guestbook by admin http://357maximum.com/guestbook/comment-page-3/#comment-13449 admin Mon, 16 Aug 2010 21:38:45 +0000 http://357maximum.com/demo/guestbook/#comment-13449 Hi Erik, I only have experience with whitetail deer. Myself and personal friends, have have taken many deer, with the Hornady 180 SSP with a muzzle velocity of 1950-2200 fps with impact range varying from 10-182 yards with excellent results. In my shooting/hunting group I am not aware of a single bullet recovery. Last year was the first year I hunted with the Hornady 200 gr. FTX with my Ruger No. 1 in .357 Maximum. With the one buck rule in Indiana, I was limited to taking antlerless deer in the firearms season. I was getting 2020 fps with this bullet during range testing. I took 3 does at not so long ranges but results were great. Again no bullets were recovered. If I were to try for Elk with the .357 Maximum, I would lean toward the 200 gr. FTX and try to keep shots behind the shoulder. I'm not sure how they would hold up through larger bone like the shoulder of an elk. I can tell you (with my limited experience) they blow through a whitetail deers shoulder. Good Shooting, Steve Hi Erik,
I only have experience with whitetail deer. Myself and personal friends, have have taken many deer, with the Hornady 180 SSP with a muzzle velocity of 1950-2200 fps with impact range varying from 10-182 yards with excellent results. In my shooting/hunting group I am not aware of a single bullet recovery. Last year was the first year I hunted with the Hornady 200 gr. FTX with my Ruger No. 1 in .357 Maximum. With the one buck rule in Indiana, I was limited to taking antlerless deer in the firearms season. I was getting 2020 fps with this bullet during range testing. I took 3 does at not so long ranges but results were great. Again no bullets were recovered.

If I were to try for Elk with the .357 Maximum, I would lean toward the 200 gr. FTX and try to keep shots behind the shoulder. I’m not sure how they would hold up through larger bone like the shoulder of an elk. I can tell you (with my limited experience) they blow through a whitetail deers shoulder.

Good Shooting,

Steve

]]> Comment on Guestbook by Erik Dyal http://357maximum.com/guestbook/comment-page-3/#comment-13447 Erik Dyal Mon, 16 Aug 2010 19:19:45 +0000 http://357maximum.com/demo/guestbook/#comment-13447 I am just in the process of getting my Thompson Center G2 375 MAX and H&R in 357 mag up and running. I have had to switch my hunting hardware out since my Disabling accident in 2003. I have used a variety of cartridges for Elk and deer and have come to the conclusion most people at bullet companies who recommend bullets must have never shot an elk or a deer. So I am asking my fraternity for first hand knowledge of what bullets have been working in the max for harvesting the tasty game of the forest. I have 180 Hornday ssp which seems to work. Have any of you tried XTP's, Hornady FTX, Magtech or Remington bullets on game? I am just in the process of getting my Thompson Center G2 375 MAX and H&R in 357 mag up and running. I have had to switch my hunting hardware out since my Disabling accident in 2003. I have used a variety of cartridges for Elk and deer and have come to the conclusion most people at bullet companies who recommend bullets must have never shot an elk or a deer. So I am asking my fraternity for first hand knowledge of what bullets have been working in the max for harvesting the tasty game of the forest. I have 180 Hornday ssp which seems to work. Have any of you tried XTP’s, Hornady FTX, Magtech or Remington bullets on game?

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