I took the 357 max out again today, with a tight scope base, loctited screws, and plenty of clearence from the frame and the scope base.

Anyhow, I started with a previous load ~ 22.5 gr H 110 over a 200 gr WFN gc seated to the rear canalure. Once again, the groups were stringing, in fact, at 50 yds they were 5-6" tall! I tried various grips and rests, to no avail.

Well crap, then I tried some AA 1680 loads, and the stringing was gone! Groups were 1-2" and "round" the last group was 4 shots touching, and I think I pulled the last shot.

It was interesting to note that the recoil pulse for the two powders is vastly different. The H110 is a very whippy load, while the AA 1680 comes back more then it whips. Now if I can just cram enough AA 1680 in the case to get my speed up, and hopefully groups stay tight.

Well Paul,

I find that very interesting. Although I've never experienced the stringing, I've always felt the slower powders performed better in the Max especially with the heavier bullet weights.

What would be interesting for you to try possibly, is say a 158 gr bullet with the H110/296 powder to see if you get any stringing also.

Regards

I really have no use for lighter bullets, but just might have to try some jacketed 180 gr bullets to see how the thing shoots. I do have some 158 gr swc gc bullets I could try as well, and might give them a go first.

Any suggestions for good loads for the 158 gr bullets is appreciated. I'd like to try both H 110 and 2400.

With the 158's, I'm using 23.5 grs WW296 as a maximum load with Fed SR primers.(jacketed) That's with the Bellm rechamber and a "normal" throat length.

These do 1900+ in the 10" bbl.

28 grs. compressed of WC680 Surplus does 1850 FPS with the 180's. (cast)

Regards

I tried increasing charges of AA 1680 today, got up to 1800 fps, and primers show much lower pressure then with H 110. On the other hand, that load is highly compressed, and there is simply isn't enough room for more powder. I still get unburned powder in the bore. The load before, which ave 1750 printed 3 into 1 hole, and the other two shots opened it up to ~1" @ 50 yds. Seems like its time to take the target out to 100 yds, and do some tweaking. I guess I can live with 200 gr @ 1800, so long as I can get a load to group consistantly.

Yes, my WC680 load is quite compressed also with a heavy taper crimp into the wide driving band ahead of the crimp groove. What type of primer are you using.

1800 FPS is very good with a 200 gr bullet in my opinion. That's a 10" bbl right?

If you want, I can e-mail you that Handloader article on the Max to look see. I think that Reloader 7 was used by the author and he really liked it in this round.

It seems as though a powder with the correct loading density and burning speed between 680 and 296 would be ideal. Only thing I'm using the H110/296 in is 158 grain loads.

Let us know how your 100 yd trials go. I REALLY have to get back to the range one of these days!

Regards

Yep, 10" tube. I do have some RL 7, but expect it to be too slow. I'm using CCI 400's, I plan to try both the 450's and the 400's next time out. I suppose I should also pick up some Federals, as I've often found them to improve groups over CCI primers.

I guess I've just been spoiled by other T/C barrels that plant them all into one hole, with very little load work. I was looking for something that would perform as well as the 10" 357 Herret I had, and really, I'm just about there. The Herret was able to get 2000 fps, but I was concerned about the pressures on the 30/30 case head. With the 357 case head, I don't have to worry about damaging the frame.

I'm going to swap from a packmeyer 2 screw fore end hanger, as the VV tube has 2 dovetail mounts, to the single screw hanger, and see if it helps at all.

The thing I found amazing with my barrel is just that, virtually anything I've tried seems to group well.

When I was originally working up charges with that Surplus WC680 and 180's, even with smoked cases and unburned powder blowing out all over, the danged thing was planting clusters at about 30 yds and then some at 50 were doing the same!

I've been told this round was designed around 180's whether it is true or not who knows. But it sure seems to like this weight in my experience so far.

I agree with you on primer selection from the standpoint that I have had stellar performance with standard Federal primers and ball powders myself in a number of rounds. 44 Mag coming to mind immediately.

All in all, I'd say the Max is one of the most efficient rounds in the 10" barrel with I'd say the Herrett being more suitable in a 12" at the least. But that may be splitting hairs.

I'm running a Pach forend also. Yes, this 357 case diameter is excellent in the TC.

Regards

I didn't get any readings off the chrono today, but did shoot a group @ 100 yds, was ~1" high and ~ 2.5" wide for 5 shots, and I expect was doing right around 1700 w/ the 200 gr cast. I think I can live with that, just need to dial in the loads for the most accurate. I'm hoping to get one that will clock 1800 fps. I'm also going to try RL7, but I have a feeling it will be too slow of a powder to produce much velocity.

One thing for sure about the 10" 357 max burning ~25gr AA 1680, it is an impressive sounding gun

Sounds like you are rocking and rolling there!

Yes, I even think the Max is somewhat unique in the sound, recoil and fireball (not our fireball) area.

Have fun and let us know about your further trials.

Regards