Hey guys, just looking for thoughts on a Dan Wesson 357 max. Would this be a good gun for deer hunting? A buddy of mine is willing to sell me his with a 2x leup, reloading dies, 50 new brass and about 50 rnds of his reloads in 125gr. Thanks

Just following John Taffin's opinion, but loading hot loads with the 125s is one reason for the demise of the Max in revolvers.
Load 158s and up and you will have a performer, 180s being better.

You didn't say what he wanted for it, but that may well be THE deciding factor. I don't have a current book, or I would give you an estimate of value.

LouisB

[ 04-10-2003, 06:38: Message edited by: TCLouis ]

The DW is a good set up. Further, with your ability to minimize barrel to cylinder gap, it will work better for you than say a Ruger would have. That said, it is better to switch to 158s. I'd recommend the 158 gr. XTP or 180 gr. XTP. It will do fine on deer IF you do your part!

Good shooting.

I shoot 158gr rem sp in my 16in TC carbine. My daugther and myself have shot around 20 deer with this combo and haven't had a bit of trouble I use a max load of H110 for a avg of 2150.

The 357 Maximum should be a good cartridge for deer hunting. With the extra case lenght, you could load a very heavy hardcast projectile and still have enough velocity to get the job done. Make sure you know what you are doing before proceeding with something not recommended in the reloading manual. Good luck.

Hey, thanks alot for the input guys. TCLouis 550.00 is what he wanted for it. Also in talking to him he has shot 180 gr from it. Thanks again

mm, I used to shoot one in met. sil. comp. The bullets of choice were 158 & up. You'll burn the bbl. throat quickly shooting ultra fast 125gr loads (one reason they used to supply a replacement bbl.). I've only used mine on Jack's & used 140gr bullets there. They a re well made guns. I'm not sure what they are worth today, I sold mine to a buddy a few years ago.

I have one, I got it to shoot sihlouette and love it....I shot a 170 grain bullet when competeing...that cartridge with a 158 grain or larger bullet will easily kill any deer alive...the dan wesson I have is an absolut tack driver....and thats a really good price since a new leopold would be more than half the price listed. I have the same scope, but only put it on the Dan Wesson when I worked up accurracy loads....is the gun stainless or blue?.....bob

Hey Guy's,
Well I bought the gun today. Took it out and shot it.(24 rnds) I like it so far. The 125's are at bottom of the chart for plinking. I have alot work ahead of me to be any good at pistol shooting. But it sure seems like a ton fun. Thanks again guy's

Iv'e never shot a DW but I just recently rechambered my 10" T/C from mag to max and went out today with a 4x B&L on top off a rest shot some of the nicest groups ever at 25yds useing 180gr JFP,cci msp, 20.5 and 21.5gr of 296 both shot 7/16-1/2" 5 shot groups and are at the max velocity needed for black bear (back up).
Patrick