357max

26 January 2002, 10:38

<waldog>

357max

Years ago, I got a 10" 357max barrel for my Contender. Truth be known, I bought it for a song! Anyway, I've only played with it and carried it as backup now and then, but not had a chance to actually hunt big game with it.

Does anyone out there use this cartridge?

Just dinking around, I've found those bullets have a ton of WHOP to them. Right now I'm dinking around with some 180gr flat points (.358 diameter). They penetrate like nobody's business and personally, I'd feel comfortable using them on an elk. The violent 158hp would absolutely manhandle a deer, methinks. At closer ranges of course.

Anyhow, penny for your thoughts...

26 January 2002, 11:57

Bill M

Waldog, A penny saved is a penny earned, I'll take you up on your offer!

I have no experience with the 357 max. I did, however, shoot a deer at 25 yards with a 44 mag carbine using a 240HP bullet once (and only once). Hit it right on the shoulder (quartering towards) and the bullet did not penetrate into the vitals, it exploded on the scapula (?). I'm sure that the same slug, at lower, 44 mag handgun velocity would have done fine. The bullet just could not handle the extra velocity from the carbine.

Based on that, I would not use a 158HP, which is made for lower (357mag) velocity, on big game animals. I bet it would work very well on varmints. I would think that you would be OK with a tougher, 180 FP for deer/big game. JMHO.

You can give me the penny when you see me....

Bill

26 January 2002, 13:10

p dog shooter

I have a 357 max in 14 in contenter. i use a max charge of h110 for 2150 fps with a 158 gr sp. works great on deer. I agree the hollow pt expand to fast. For bigger stuff the 180's well work better.

27 January 2002, 04:48

I shot an average size deer this last year with a 180 Gr. FP. Actually I was a bit disappointed with the penetration. I had a quartering away shot, and the bullet stopped in the vitals. I was expecting an exit hole. I didn't recover the bullet because I was teaching my grandson how to field dress the deer, and he promptly sliced open the stomach. At that point, I just dressed it out quickly to get away from the smell.

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JD

27 January 2002, 15:42

dennis n. mitchell

Rrght on guys. The 357. max. is on of them rounds that falls into the catagory to big for tin cans but not really pracicable on deer size game. But far far better than 357mg. hope I didn't hurt somebody's feelings. DENMITCH

07 February 2002, 04:41

R-WEST

dennis -
Are you saying the 357, either Mag or Max, will not handle deer size game?
I've used, and seen used, 357 Mags, not Max's, on deer for 30 years, with everything from 110 grain hollowpoints to 180 grain Speer rifle bullets to 200 grain cast lead bullets, and, as with any other caliber, they work if you hit them correctly, and don't if you don't. With the 180 Speers in a Max/Contender, I can't imagine being undergunned for game up to elk. They've been taken with the 7mm TC/U, for Pete's sake, and that's a lot less potent than the 357 Max.
My $.02.
R-WEST

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"it is up to God to judge these terrorists; it is up to us to arrange their meeting" Gen. Norman Schwarzkopf

07 February 2002, 07:04

Paul H

A friend of a friend has been using a 357 max on moose. While I consider it a bit light for that, I do consider the 357 max one of the best barrels for the contender. I'm going to have my 357 mag 10" tube re-chambered as a max. It will drive a 200 gr cast bullet 1800 fps, certainly enough for whitetails, black bears and hogs out to 150 yds. I wouldn't have any reservations about using it on elk, but would likely limit shots to 100 yds. I suppose I'd use it on moose in a pinch, but would prefer a bit more gun for that.

For all intents and purposes, the 357 max contender pistol is on par with the 35 remington rifle. As such, it is a fine round indeed.

07 February 2002, 19:23

<waldog>

Just so happens I went dinking around last night with the 357max. Shot up the rest of those 180 FP's. We shot a few water filled milk jugs at 100yds and it busted them open pretty dang good. Also, shot a 12" aspen tree a few time and found one slug, perfectly mushroomed on the bark on the opposite side. The rest had blown through. The only other thing worth mentioning is a solid red brick that I shot at 30yds. Just powdered it.

I don't know, shure feels like there is alot there. Kinda makes a guy wonder.....

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>>>--------------------->
Toxophilie and carry a bent stick.
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08 February 2002, 04:06

R-WEST

waldog -

What 180's are you using? Whatever they are, it sure sounds like pretty good performance to me. I would imagine 12" of aspen should equal a fair amount of animal penetration, right?

If you get a chance, try some hard cast bullets, like the heat treated LBT's from Cast Performance Bullet Co. They penetrate like nobody's business.

R-WEST

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"it is up to God to judge these terrorists; it is up to us to arrange their meeting" Gen. Norman Schwarzkopf

21 February 2002, 20:54

<Salt>

You should have been using hard cast bullets.
The HP bullets were made to expand at the lower velocities of a revolver, they will not stand up to the higher velocities of a rifle.

quote:
Originally posted by Bill M:
Waldog, A penny saved is a penny earned, I'll take you up on your offer!
I have no experience with the 357 max. I did, however, shoot a deer at 25 yards with a 44 mag carbine using a 240HP bullet once (and only once). Hit it right on the shoulder (quartering towards) and the bullet did not penetrate into the vitals, it exploded on the scapula (?). I'm sure that the same slug, at lower, 44 mag handgun velocity would have done fine. The bullet just could not handle the extra velocity from the carbine.
Based on that, I would not use a 158HP, which is made for lower (357mag) velocity, on big game animals. I bet it would work very well on varmints. I would think that you would be OK with a tougher, 180 FP for deer/big game. JMHO.
You can give me the penny when you see me....
Bill

21 February 2002, 20:57

<Salt>

That .357 maximum will do the job, just load heavy hard cast bullets.

Forget about hollowpoints, those bullets are too weak for big game. The HP's were made for shooting people, not big game.

22 February 2002, 09:01

Bill M

quote:
Originally posted by Salt:
You should have been using hard cast bullets.
The HP bullets were made to expand at the lower velocities of a revolver, they will not stand up to the higher velocities of a rifle.

Salt, that was exactly my point, and why I recommended the 180 FP over the 158 HP! I learned that for myself the hard way, and was just trying to pass on my experience to save others the trouble....

Welcome to the forum!

Bill

26 February 2002, 20:31

<waldog>

As it turns out, they were 180gr speer flat points pushed by a stout load of H110. The flat points are .358" and intended for rifle use. That and the extra .oo1 also helps the gas seal and ups performance slightly, I'm told (???). I still need to try hard casts, they might be the ticket...

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>>>--------------------->
Toxophilie and carry a bent stick.
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02 April 2002, 09:14

<stinkeypete>

Hey, here is a bit of help on .357 Maximum-

First off, check the freebore on your barrel- slip a long bullet in a cartridge that is NOT resized, but has had the case mouth slightly flared. You want the long bullet to slide in and out, start out seated LOOONG. Put the case and bullet in the chamber, and push it flush (if barrel removed from frame) or close the action. You may find the freebore is WAAAY long. I did.

I've had good luck with 180 grain bullets, seated way long. I like the Hornady 180 grain XTP (crimped on 1st cannelure- the long position) and Hornady's 180 grain .35 caliber SSP bullet- seated long again- the .35 cal is the most accurate bullet, and you pay for it. It's a booger to get seated, I kludged an adapter to protect the sharp spire point, and I need to make another.

H110 is the same powder as 296- that's what I've been told. Work up to a max load of H110, and mine groups better with a steaming load. I'm just starting to experiment with Lil Gun. Lighter loads, I've had luck with 2400 and for plinking, long seated .357 wadcutters and 6.5 grains Unique. I use rem 7 1/2 primers.

This is a real versatile caliber- and when it's a hot load, it's impressive to behold- and be holding!

Viva Max!

Pete

22 April 2002, 18:18

Seamus O'Grady

How is the recoil of the .357 Max compared to an SA .44 Mag?

23 April 2002, 04:42

DanB

Here's my experiences with the Max.

http://www.handgunhunt.com/noframes/tech/t10/index.html

27 April 2002, 16:14

<waldog>

Cool site, Dan! Well worth the read.

28 April 2002, 15:35

Magnum Mike

I am curious if any of you guys have ever tried the lighter bullets, eg. 110, 125?

DanB, nice article.

mike

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NRA Life Member

United States of America, Love it or LEAVE IT!

30 April 2002, 14:47

<Steve Ruchala>

quote:
Originally posted by mssmagnum:
I am curious if any of you guys have ever tried the lighter bullets, eg. 110, 125?
DanB, nice article.
mike

I have used the 125 grain bullets. Speer HP's and 20 grains of 2400. Recoil is light but snapy. Out of my barrel they are accutat and fun to shoot for a longer time frame.

30 April 2002, 20:10

BER007

Seamus O'Grady,

How is the recoil of the .357 Max compared to an SA .44 Mag?[/QUOTE]

With hot loads in .44 Mag a 300 gr at 1300 fps (at least). With hot loads in .357 Max a 180 gr bullet at 1700 fps.

The recoil is not so heavy and punishing with .357 Max compare to .44 Mag.

But recoil and tolerance are not the same for each person. For sure if hot loads in .44 mag aren't a problem for you, you'll have no problems to handle full lods in .357 max.IMHO

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BER007
Keep the faith in any circumstances
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BBER007@HOTMAIL.COM